I was there. 24 years ago. January 2001. Don Hutchinson and Stan Varga, with his luscious long hair, steering us to a 2-0 away win at West Ham’s Upton Park. We sat second in the Premier League after that result. I was only 12 and had just become a fully invested Sunderland fan, thinking that winning was normal.
These things, I have subsequently learnt, don’t happen to Sunderland often. So make the most of it when it does! That result 24 years ago and those two seasons at the turn of the Millennium
saw us finish 7th in the Premiership. That time offered us so much hope and felt at the time like we were there to stay. Unfortunately, within a few seasons, due to some bad recruits and managerial changes, that hope had unravelled, and normal service was once again resumed.
After the win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, we sat second in the Premier League after nine games. These opportunities don’t come around that often, so when they do, it is important to enjoy them and also hope that your club has the foundations and capabilities to build on what has been achieved. For once, I have faith that we may actually be able to make the most of the opportunity that currently bestows us. The club’s hierarchy has spoken about a blueprint for success. This may well be the beginning of things to come.
I saw a post on social media recently reminding me that five years ago, Sunderland lost to Swindon in League One. Supporting this club is a rollercoaster. For that, there is no doubt. What a turnaround we have witnessed in those five years. It was a truly magnificent performance we saw from Sunderland on Saturday against the world champions. That was no smash-and-grab, as some stats would suggest. We competed against a top team for large swathes, and our team looked well-drilled, prepared, and athletic. The players were both passionate and determined. The number of messages I received from friends and colleagues after the game, commending our performance, was quite something. It seems that a lot of people have noticed that we are actually quite good.
Well, they aren’t wrong. There is real quality in this squad that has been assembled. Reinildo was excellent. His experience and guile in handling the hundreds of wingers that Chelsea threw at us were much needed. The outstanding Xhaka was in inspired form once again, and his addition in the summer is looking like a masterstroke. All over the pitch, in fact, everyone held their own, and as a team, we deserved that result. For me, though, Le Fée was phenomenal. His commitment and work rate were incredible, and he epitomised what this team has become.
This is some turnaround for a club that only five years ago was in League One and losing to Swindon. In my eyes, there are two key people who have been responsible for this. KLD and Speakman. Their vision and the execution of this plan have been superb. Stuart Harvey can be commended for his diligence and hard work in recruiting quality players at a time in League One and the Championship that have helped us to achieve promotions. Ghisolfi seems like an equally shrewd addition, considering we are now shopping in a completely different market to that of a few years ago, and it seems a logical step forward with a club with our ambitions. We have had luck along the way, no doubt, but in my mind, I only have praise for them since their leadership started. They have done one thing extremely well. Investing in people.
It was clear from the interviews with players after the game what these principles are. They were level-headed and showed unwavering focus for the job at hand. On multiple occasions, Talbi and Isidor mentioned they were not focused on the league table, just one game at a time. They worked hard for each other on the pitch. They displayed passion and commitment throughout the performance with each phase of play, each pass, each tackle. All of them are dependable and consistent. The core principles that the players displayed on Saturday are why we are in the position we are in. These principles embody our wonderful club.
The people running our club have done their research. The qualities each of these players displays culminate in performances we are witnessing on the pitch each week. There is balance in this squad. They are relentless in their focus. Each player plays a part; even those on the bench (the finishers) will play an integral role if we are to stay up. That’s all we ask for as fans. Committed players who are prepared to fight each week and give their all. My god, are they doing that?
It’s been 24 years since we were in a similar position in the Premier League. At the time, it was dubbed a magic carpet ride. This time, it feels like the foundations are strong. Stronger than I’ve ever known them. Good people work for our club across all areas. We have hardworking and honest players. They look like they are having fun and will fight. A magic carpet ride would suggest unpredictability. This is far from that. This is planned. Whatever happens this season, the first nine games have shown us that the players will be up for the fight and have the talent to succeed.
So thank you, KLD and Speakman. The turnaround over the past five or so years since you took the wheel has been incredible. The club feels back in the big time and with strong foundations to push on. I will enjoy this time we are having. And that is a wonderful feeling to have, knowing your club is in safe hands, no matter what happens.
