Sunderland show their steel on the banks of the Trent
As I write this edition of Talking Points, my head is currently somewhere out past the orbit of Mars after ninety minutes of almost unbearable tension capped off with euphoric relief when the final whistle
blew at the City Ground — and a result that ensured Sunderland’s wonderfully encouraging start to life in the top flight continued.
Simply put, this was a staggeringly gutsy victory for the Lads, a success built on the kind of defensive resilience we’ve not seen in these parts in the Premier League for years, coupled with a level of organisation, desire and togetherness that would’ve made Peter Reid’s class of 1998-2001 proud.
Since the first game against West Ham, much has been made of the team spirit displayed by Régis Le Bris’ players, and this was another glorious showcase of the values possessed by a group of lads who are taking us on a thrilling ride into the unknown — with the Frenchman worthy of so much credit for shaping them into such a cohesive unit.
Omar Alderete was the goalscoring hero and Robin Roefs the colossus between the sticks, but this was a true team effort and every one of those lads can be rightly proud of themselves. They delivered for us when it mattered, and that’s the sign of a team on the right track. A memorable evening for all concerned!
The Roefs isn’t on fire…it’s a blazing inferno
It’s becoming something of a truism but it’s nonetheless valid: the big Dutch stopper has been a brilliant addition to the ranks and after slightly misjudging a swerving Matty Cash shot last time out, he responded as we know he can: by turning in a commanding display that went a long way towards preserving the 0-1 lead gifted to us by Alderete.
Simply put, there are no real weaknesses in Roefs’ game.
Like your goalkeepers vocal and commanding? He’s got that covered. Want them to dominate aerially? Give him a red and blue costume and cape, and he could double up as Superman. Eager to see good distribution and shot stopping? He’s brilliant at both — and he’s also resilient, as was proven by how emphatically he responded to what happened in the Aston Villa game.
NEC Nijmegen’s loss — for what feels like an absurdly low price — is Sunderland’s gain, and this hugely promising young international prospect is impressing me more and more every time I see him play. A top quality signing and a player of limitless potential.
Omar Alderete makes the difference at both ends
The aggressive Paraguayan is a relatively rare breed on Wearside as a ball-playing, playmaking defender who can also boast elite qualities in the face of opposition attacks and has slotted into the new-look Sunderland backline absolutely effortlessly.
If a mazy forty-yard run and pass didn’t float your boat, his first half header to give us a lead that we would never relinquish was priceless and he rounded off a dominant display with an array of blocks, defensive headers and solid challenges to endure the clean sheet was preserved and the victory secured.
In football terms, I love a fiery native of South America and Alderete is easily one of the most terrifying-looking and confrontational players I’ve seen for us, but he’s a class act and like Roefs, it’s hard to see him as anything other than an absolute bargain of a signing.
What’s more, he clearly relishes his role within this side and like Granit Xhaka, is emerging as a leader — which is what you’d expect from one of La Liga’s best defenders of 2024/2025.
Sunderland weather the storm and emerge victorious
The result was all that mattered in the end but this was by no means an easy game for the Lads and some periodic spells of Forest pressure — inspired by the likes of Dan Ndoye and Dilane Bakwa — posed plenty of questions.
Trai Hume endured a tough night at right back; a visibly-rusty but energetic Arthur Masuaku found the going tricky on the other side, and without Habib Diarra, our midfield occasionally looked off the boil — even though Chris Rigg turned in a fine effort and picked up invaluable top flight experience into the bargain, and Xhaka led the side in his own inspirational way.
However, with Wilson Isidor grafting tirelessly, Chemsdine Talbi always looking for work and a ferociously committed defensive display giving us a rock solid platform, we were always going to be tough to open up and Alderete’s header from a well-judged free kick proved pivotal.
It’s abundantly clear that we’re rarely, if ever, going to dominate possession and cut teams open with sparkling football, but we’re clearly focused on making up for that by being hard to break down and capable of taking chances when they come.
Job done once again, and more proof that we’re a very serious top flight team.
