The season is upon us — and Sunderland's chance to bury last campaign has arrived
08/06/2024 12:00 AM
Sunderland's pre-season has seen a shift in style and Regis Le Bris' favoured starting XI seems pretty much sorted — are we ready for go time?
Sunderland wrapped up the 2024 pre-season schedule with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against French Ligue 1 side Marseille. We looked tidy going forward and the new high press that Regis Le Bris has implemented was in full swing.
We held our own against a good side, and it was more lapses in concentration that led to Marseille's goals rather than the French side outplaying us. We took our own chances, and now the countdown to the real thing starting all over again is on.
The high press is a tactic that can be both high risk and high reward. RLB has shown that he wants everyone apart from wingers and strikers to defend, but that his midfielders should press with the attackers in efforts to force the opposition into making mistakes. This is something we didn't do enough of last season, and in all honesty, haven't done in a while, so it is refreshing to see a change of approach from a new manager who has had a full summer with this group of players.
Only three new signings have been made this window, leading to a sense of animosity towards Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman and not for the first time under his leadership. The need for a senior striker remains, but with Alexandre Mendy saying once again how he wants to come to Sunderland despite the Mbappe takeover of his current club Caen, we can remain optimistic for a positive outcome on this front.
Many of our players were left high and dry towards the end of last season through poor coaching and a club that seemed rudderless on and off the pitch. Things seem to have settled down at least for now, and for the first time since the Tony Mowbray days, we can at least see the early signs of a clear footballing identity.
Following the end of an underwhelming season, the need for a change at Sunderland AFC was clear. A new manager and an acceptance from the hierarchy that the club got a lot of key decisions wrong last year were needed and by the end of June, we'd had this. Dwelling on the past is something that can haunt football fans and clubs, which is why looking ahead and moving forward.
Pre-season excitement isn't as forthcoming for many fans this season, but having SAFC back playing competitive football should always bring excitement. We don't know how the upcoming campaign will play out, but what we need to remember is that we do have some very good players in our ranks — making sure RLB gets the best out of them is the best chance of ensuring we are looking at the right end of the table come the end of the season.
We have a squad of positive young footballers, two cracking new kits, and a head coach who is well-spoken and seems to have a smart plan in place. If you can't get even a little bit excited for a new season and if you keep the specter of doom on your shoulder when the August sun still shines, is football really the sport for you?
