Dan Ballard’s absence puts Sunderland behind the eight ball
I’d been thinking prior to the game that it had been really encouraging to see Ballard playing so often recently, but football being football, I should’ve known that something was going to be around the corner.
A massive part of the team both defensively and offensively, his recent run of form and fitness has brought him into the national spotlight so learning of his injury and possible spell on the sidelines came as a real blow — particularly with our squad already being stretched due to the number of players away competing in the African Cup of Nations.
Considering the changes this news forced on the back four p, the defence still looked organised, but Sunderland supporters will obviously be hoping that Ballard is back up and running as soon as possible.
Pride for Dennis Cirkin and frustration for Brian Brobbey
It’s been a long road back to the top for Cirkin since he left Tottenham Hotspur, but he’s battled through adversity, worked hard at his game and fully deserved to make his Premier League debut on Sunday.
His story sums up the type of recruitment and commitment that’s helped bring the club to this point, and there’s hopefully more to come from our long-serving left back.
As for the rest of the side, whilst collectively not quite there, plenty of individuals managed to stand out. Some players have done so well of late that you could be guilty of taking them for granted, but watching the likes of Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete as they appear so at home at the level is a pleasure.
Lutsharel Geertruida is another player that’ll always do a job and he performed as if he’d been a natural central midfielder his whole career, whereas his countryman Brobbey is coming into his own — and perhaps if referees realised that they are allowed to give him the odd free kick, he might be even more of a threat.
As for another Dutchman in Robin Roefs, I assume he was as good as ever, as it was hard to pick him out against the backdrop of the crowd given the shirt he was wearing!
A rare first half Sunderland goal
Simon Adingra’s first goal in red and white was a thing of beauty — both in terms of the finish and the through- ball from Granit Xhaka to set it up.
Going ahead before the break was probably seen as a bit of a bonus by Régis Le Bris, because it appeared as if the plan in the first half was simply to give Leeds United the ball and attempt to nullify their threat, but you normally expect Sunderland to then lift things up a level or two in the second half, and that’s when we came unstuck.
An uncharacteristic second-half lull
Perhaps it was a consequence of conceding at such a poor time and in doing so suffering a rare episode of relinquishing an advantage — or perhaps it was down to Leeds’ own tactical tweaks — but it was unusual to see the Lads so off-colour in the second half.
There were points where a second goal for the visitors felt inevitable, and whilst Sunderland deserve credit for riding that out and finishing the stronger, we never looked like creating enough pressure to force a winner.
Not bad for a “write off” of a month!
December was apparently going to be a “disaster”, with Sunderland lucky to get a sniff given our supposedly tough set of fixtures. Well, we’re now at the end of the month and have come through it fine, with just the one defeat — even that’s less damaging that it may look on paper.
Rather than being grateful for anything we could get, we’ve actually ended it feeling there have been some points left out on the pitch and if this is Sunderland during a “fallow period” these days, I can’t wait to see what’s in store when players become available again and one or two reinforcements arrive in the transfer window.
No late drama, but that’s OK
Even though we struggled to create openings as the game wore on, you can never rule out a bit of late drama at the Stadium of Light given some of the moments this team has provided in 2025.
It was disappointing, therefore, not to experience another memorable finish but that in itself shows how things have developed in the last twelve months.
To be seventh in the Premier League, missing so many first team regulars and unbeaten at home yet still finding ourselves coming away at full time being a little disappointed speaks volumes about where Sunderland finds itself these days — and the work undertaken by people such as the late Patrick Treuer.
Here’s to 2026!
