This Saturday marks Sunderland’s first Championship game of the new campaign under new manager Regis Le Bris as they visit Cardiff City.
The Black Cats have a sense of uncertainty as they start a new season. The Wearsiders, who placed fifth and sixteenth in their previous two Championship campaigns, will be participating for the third time in this competition.
| Championship standings 2023/24 | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 9 | Coventry City | 46 | 11 | 64 |
| 10 | Preston North End | 46 | -11 | 63 |
| 11 | Bristol City | 46 | 2 | 62 |
| 12 | Cardiff City | 46 | -17 | 62 |
| 13 | Millwall | 46 | -10 | 59 |
| 14 | City | 46 | -6 | 57 |
| 15 | Watford | 46 | 0 | 56 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 46 | -2 | 56 |
Even though the 2023–24 season ended disappointingly, there is a reason for some modest optimism within the team. Le Bris was chosen by the club as manager after 124 days without one. Despite being new, the Frenchman appears to have adapted well and has had time to leave his mark on the side.
Even though the club has only generated a small amount of revenue, it has managed to hang onto its valuable assets thus far. Although the transfer market is still open, a successful season might be in the works as long as Jack Clarke, Trai Hume, and Anthony Patterson remain with the team.
The attacking line really has to be improved quickly. The Black Cats will be a formidable team if they can bring in a prolific striker before the transfer window shuts.
Trai Hume is another Sunderland player who has drawn attention this summer. Similar to Patterson, the Northern Irishman has drawn interest from the Premier League and other European leagues; Galatasaray’s approach for the 22-year-old was turned down.
The right-back’s robust, uncompromising tackling has helped him establish a reputation at the Stadium of Light. Hume was a regular starter for Sunderland during their last season and will be among the first names on Le Bris’ roster.
Mr. Sunderland, also known as Luke O’Nien, will be among the first names on Le Bris’ roster.
The dynamic center-back is an inspiration to the rest of the team and personifies the club with his impeccable demeanor both on and off the field. He’ll undoubtedly be showing off his leadership qualities for the Wearsiders in their opening contest of the year.
In Sunderland’s first game, Dan Ballard’s injury will keep the Northern Irishman out of the starting lineup, forcing Le Bris to make one of his hardest selections at center defense.
Alese is positioned to benefit from the loss because he was Le Bris’ go-to choice in the preseason. The 23-year-old, who has primarily played left-back for the Black Cats, will feel comfortable in the middle of the defense, and O’Nien could benefit from his pace.
Had it not been for his misfortune with injuries, Dennis Cirkin most likely would have played a century for the Black Cats. The left-back has therefore been in and out of the team, although Sunderland are unquestionably stronger with him.
Cirkin merits a spot in Le Bris’ starting eleven after a successful preseason and a goal against Marseille.
Roberts can be unplayable at his best, but in his three seasons at Sunderland, the supporters have witnessed glimpses of his brilliance. Roberts was at his best in red and white under Mowbray, but his performance was lackluster in the previous campaign.
Roberts is expected to start on Saturday after Le Bris included him in his stronger sides during the preseason. But with players like Ian Poveda and Abdoullah Ba vying for his shirt, the 27-year-old is struggling for his spot.
Unfortunately, Jack Clarke remains a Sunderland player for the Cardiff supporters. He has stayed in the Stadium of Light—for the time being, anyway—despite the ongoing rumors about his whereabouts.
The player of the year for Sunderland in 2023–24 has shown that he can be unplayable at times down the left. Cardiff’s defense will tremble at the winger’s ability to outmuscle a player and find the back of the next from unimaginable angles.
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