How Sunderland have stormed the Championship

Sunderland were tipped to have a good season by some but not many expected the performances we’ve seen so far. The Black Cats are four games into the Championship season and have four wins under their belt and even more impressively they have done so without conceding a single goal.

The fact that Sunderland lost Jack Clarke to Ipswich after just two games and responded by beating promotion favourites Burnley showcased that they are a side with many strengths and removing just one player is not going to be enough to stop them. To make that point even more, it was Romain Mundle who scored the winner, a player who wouldn’t have started if it wasn’t for Jack Clarke’s absence.

Victory at Fratton Park

Let’s look at their most recent victory. Regis Le Bris’ side had to travel to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth who had drawn their opening three games and all against teams hopeful of promotion. But for the first time this season Portsmouth were on the wrong end of the score-line and it wasn’t even close.

Looking just at their third goal scored by Romain Mundle, Sunderland were 2-0 up and had the game under control but were still pressing their opponent’s. Chris Rigg’s strong challenge won the ball back for Sunderland close to the half-way line creating a counter attack, with Eliezer Mayenda holding the ball to draw players in until the right moment, releasing Mundle on the left hand side, before the winger scored at the near post. The pace at which Sunderland can play is one thing, but the aggression behind is truly powerful and at this point is unstoppable.

Even their second goal against Portsmouth, which was a bit of a goal-mouth scramble, showcases their efficiency in attack. Patrick Roberts is on the right wing faced with a whole host of Portsmouth bodies in the box but bolts to the byline and cuts it back to Mayenda with a cross so harsh Mayenda has to control it before Alan Browne steals his goal away from him. Sunderland are an impatient side, when they can attack they will. They don’t keep the ball, they use it.

Rooney is in trouble

The next match for Sunderland is away against Wayne Rooney’s torrid Plymouth Argyle. It would be an absolute miracle if Sunderland were to leave the match with anything less than three points, even a goal conceded in this match would be a disappointment. After that match they will likely be five games into the Championship with maximum points, having played teams of varying difficulty and coming out on top consistently.

The Championship is a very unpredictable league and no side is a better example of that than Leeds United and their many failed attempts at promotion. However, the momentum this Sunderland team have is real, they are consistently getting the better of their opponents and their defence has been faultless. It may be ridiculously early in the season to say and may even be a bit of a jinx but if I was forced to predict a winner of the current Championship season right now, I would pick Sunderland.