Dan Neil discusses why the Sunderland locker room has’shifted’ recently.
Dan Neil has described why things have altered so dramatically in the Sunderland dressing room recently.
Due to Luke O’Nien’s suspension, Dan Neil has taken over as captain of Sunderland. As an elder member of the squad, he has gained valuable experience.
The 22-year-old midfielder is quickly approaching his 150th appearance for the Black Cats.
He was previously viewed as a potential kid who was able to learn from the likes of Alex Pritchard and Lynden Gooch. However, he has been expected to grow up at a far faster speed this year and has already filled the boots of his former elders.
Sunderland now has only five players above the age of 24, and all of them missed the game with QPR due to suspension or injury.
Since the summer, the Wearsiders have released Ross Stewart, Lynden Gooch, Alex Pritchard, Danny Batth, Bailey Wright, and Carl Winchester, and Dan Neil acknowledges it has produced a shift in the dressing room.
Neil stated to the Sunderland Echo that there has been a significant shift in the group chemistry.
“Last week (against Southampton), we had a very youthful team. Last week, I believe we came out with all guns blazing in the second half and were really good, similar to Leicester. We truly wanted to go for the victory, which was probably due to our inexperience with younger players, but they got us on the break and scored.
“The dynamic has transformed; you had the likes of Danny and Lynden, and Corry (Evans) was fit for much of last year, Pritch. But you’ve nearly got a new core set of players, including myself, Trai (Hume), Dan Ballard, Jack Clarke, Patrick Roberts, and Patto (Anthony Patterson) in goal. It occurs in football; it’s simply evolving.
“We need to develop into figureheads in the locker room and assist these young guys. We’re young, but we’ve played a lot of games at this level and know what to expect. I believe it is now our responsibility to support these youngsters who have taken the decision to play for Sunderland continue in the same way that Danny Batth and Lynden Gooch helped us.”
Who else may Sunderland sell this summer?
Sunderland might be in serious danger this summer if they lose more of their ‘seasoned’ players.
Several players, including Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, Dan Ballard, and Jack Clarke, have been linked with Premier League transfers. Corry Evans and Bradley Dack may also depart due to contract expiration.
If all six players left, the squad’s average age would be astonishing.
Kristjaan Speakman faces the daunting challenge of bringing in more experienced players, something he has been unwilling to do thus far.
The supporters sought a proven goalscorer and greater leadership in the club, but he answered with more youngsters, expecting them to assist us return to the play-offs.
Speakman, the club’s sports director, has made significant blunders that have led to the club’s downturn this season. The future of Speakman’s career depends on whether he can correct the situation and whether Kyril Louis-Dreyfus will support him.
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