Sunderland ‘fragility’ exposed vs Leeds United, they lack major ingredient in title race.
Marco Gabbiadini believes there’s a ‘fragility’ about Sunderland this season.
Entering this October international break, Sunderland was top of the Championship table.
However, Sheffield United and the Blades are tied for second place in the standings. If not for a point deduction at the beginning of the season, Sheffield United would have won.
However, Regis Le Bris is still receiving praise—and rightfully so, given his team’s strong start to the new campaign.
However, Sunderland was fortunate in their previous match. At the Stadium of Light, they drew 2-2 with Leeds United as a result of a last-minute error by Ian Meslier.
Sunderland has participated in five games since the international break in September. However, they have only scored seven of the fifteen available points from those five games.
Just three points separates Sunderland in 1st and Watford in 6th. And with 37 games still left to play, whether or not Sunderland maintain their form remains to be seen.
Marco Gabbiadini highlights Sunderland ‘fragility’ after Leeds United
This season, Sunderland has already been favoured to lose ground by Christmas and to finish outside the top two come May.
Many believe that in the quest for promotion this season, their youthful first-team roster may ultimately prove to be their undoing.
Additionally, former Sunderland player and broadcaster Marco Gabbiadini has called attention to what he perceives to be a “fragility” inside the team while appearing on Total Sport.
Gabbiadini emphasised that Leeds United has more resources and strength in depth than Sunderland.
“They have so much depth that even though [Wilfried] Gnonto didn’t start many games last season due to the talent that was ahead of him, they have guys like him to step up when that talent goes.”
“That’s what you’re getting with a Leeds United and probably if they were challenging halfway through the season and they needed some gaps filling, they’d probably have the money to invest then as well.”
Gabbiadini concluded: “There is a fragility about this group, and it’s not a criticism of anybody, it’s just the strength in depth of so many teams in this league, and how long the season is.”
Sunderland’s season could rest on January transfer window
As always, a team’s performance in January will have a significant impact on how well they do during the season if they want to get promoted.
Come January, the Black Cats might sustain one or two injuries, and Le Bris might pinpoint certain locations on the pitch in need of reinforcements.
After that, it will be up to the Sunderland owners to demonstrate that they can make investments with teams like Leeds and Burnley and provide their manager with a roster that is both talented and large enough to compete.
It will be crucial for the Black Cats to keep their main players in January as well.
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