Talking Points: The big takeaways from Sunderland’s win at Pompey

Roberts Re-born!

A confident Patrick Roberts is a nearly unstoppable Patrick Roberts, and once again we saw another right wing performance from the player we all fell in love with during the 2022-23 season.

We saw a snap and a sharpness to both his movement on and off the ball, not only cutting inside in his customary fashion, but taking on his full-back on the outside and cutting the ball back – something we hardly saw last year as he struggled for form and confidence.

Our continued success and positivity going forward will be intrinsically linked with the continued impact of Roberts, particularly with the loss of Jack Clarke. Other wide players will step into the fold and make their contributions undoubtedly, but on his day, nobody can do what Patrick does for us.

 Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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History Makers!

Last week was the first time in 99 years we had won our first three games of the season. In emphatically beating Portsmouth at the weekend, we equalled the achievements of that season by winning all of the first four. We hoped, but never really expected quite such a positive start to the season, but Le Bris’ men have a real chance now to be history makers and achieve something truly unique.

When 3pm on September 14th rolls around, we will have the opportunity to win our first five league matches for the first time in the history of the club. The weekend’s performance suggests we are in fine form and brimming with confidence, and with Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth standing between us and history, you’d think the only thing standing in our way would be the stereotypical “Sunderland doing Sunderland things” that we have gotten used to experiencing.

 Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Squad progression is now clear to see!

One thing that has been apparent so far this season, and was certainly clear to see at the weekend, was just how far in terms of depth and quality this squad has come. Only Alan Browne’s inclusion in the starting XI made the team any different from one finished last year’s fateful season, yet the maturity and growth of the team really does show a year on.

We’ve already experienced the trepidation of missing key players, but others just step in seamlessly and we keep rolling on.

Dan Ballard missing? In comes Alese and we win…
Jack Clarke sold? In comes Mundle and we win…
Captain Dan Neil suspended? Bring in Rigg and guess what… we win!

Last season, the prospect of going into any game without one of those three will have shaken the confidence of even the most optimistic Sunderland fan, and whilst I’m sure the time will come, against Portsmouth we didn’t look like missing Clarke at all!

In the short time Le Bris has had charge of the squad, he has seemingly exorcised any doubt or performance anxiety within the team, and with it allowed us as fans to start seeing the real potential in our young squad.

 Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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First glimpse of new signings

It might only have been 20 minutes, but it was good to get our first glimpses of both Poveda and Isidor, both of whom had promising debuts.

Sure its easy to come on for your first appearance when you are 3-0 up and cruising, but with the pressure was off, we got to see a little of what we can expect from some of our new recruits.

Poveda looked every bit the technician we assumed he was while still getting up to speed fitness-wise. The cameo of Wilson Isidor in particular would have caught many fans eyes. Already a social media fan favourite, Isidor looked a strong, direct runner, gliding across the grass both in and out of possession. 100% pass completion and 100% completed dribbles will have excited the statisticians. but outside the numbers he carried himself with a confidence of a player who has appeared in the Europa League, Ligue 1 and Champions League qualifiers at an early stage of his career.

The recent performances of Mundle, Mayenda and Roberts will likely keep them on the bench in the short-term, but I’m really looking forward to seeing them take the field again, and to see what the remaining new signings can offer.

 Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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And finally… it was definitely Browne’s goal!

Not so much a talking point I guess, but seeing as Mayenda had the cheek to wheel away and claim the finish, he was fooling no-one outside of Fratton Park with access to replays and alternative angles!

None-the-less Elizer, it was another fantastic performance and a great run in assisting Mundle’s goal – keep it up lad!

 Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images