Sunderland’s new-for-old strategy is designed for success

Sunderland AFC’s new signings have dominated playing time in the Premier League so far this season – often at the expense of the ‘old guard’ who got them promoted.

Ciaran Myers explores the New-for-Old philosophy at the Stadium Of Light.

Luke O’Nien of Sunderland celebrates a goal for The Black Cats.

Luke O’Nien was a welcome addition to the Sunderland bench in the 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest over the weekend but his role within this much-bolstered squad is yet to be seen. 

O’Nien was one of four unused substitutes as Sunderland claimed their first away victory of the season to continue their impressive start to the campaign. Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil and Eliezer Mayenda were also left to spectate from the comfort of the bench. 

Sunderland spent big in the summer window, strengthening all over, with 15 players arriving on Wearside for a combined £167.1 million. 

Supporters have been delighted with how quickly their new signings have adapted to life in the Premier League, but the more romantic may wish some of their play-off heroes were playing a larger role in their success.   

Lifelong Sunderland fan Dan Neil was stripped of the captaincy after it was handed to new arrival Granit Xhaka. A ‘cruel’ decision on a humane basis by Regis Le Bris but undoubtedly a smart and pragmatic choice by the Frenchman.

Granit Xhaka has brought experience and quality to the Sunderland game.

Xhaka arrived on Wearside with more Premier League experience than the play-off final squad put together: those who started at Wembley had not played a minute of top-flight football between them.

Meanwhile, the former Arsenal captain had played 225 Premier League games prior to the start of the season, adding vital experience to the Sunderland squad.  

Opportunities for some of last season’s promoted team have been hard to come by, with only three of them starting against Nottingham Forest.  

Mayenda and Wilson Isidor have been Le Bris’ go-to men to lead the line, with the latter replacing his team-mate since netting the winner against Brentford.

Youngster Chris Rigg has only recently found himself in the starting line-up due to Habib Diarra’s injury, and Enzo Le Fee has also fought his way back into the first 11.  

Trai Hume is the only individual from last season’s squad to start every game and has done so admirably. Others, such as Anthony Patterson and Neil, have found playing time limited to the EFL Cup, while winger Patrick Roberts – who assisted the first goal in the play-off final – has left on loan in search of more playing time at Birmingham City.  

The Sunderland hierarchy were well aware of their need to strengthen coming into the new campaign. An insider at the club remarked that “if we’d gone into a Premier League season with last year’s squad we’d have got relegated.” Their summer business has been integral to their strong start of the season.  

To ensure any chance of surviving in the cut-throat league, where it feels the existing clubs have a monopoly, Sunderland had to dramatically improve their squad.  

While it may be harsh to leave important figures of that team, such as Patterson, to the side it is necessary to climb the footballing ladder. 

With many of the old squad still at the club they will look to force their way back into regular football.

O’Nien is one of them.

Patience and professionalism will no doubt be required, but ‘Mr Sunderland’ has exemplified these qualities in abundance since joining back in the League One days. Supporters will hope to see some of their favourite players of the last few seasons earn their right to play.   

For other old hands, the new arrivals might be beneficial for their development; Regis Le Bris believes that Dan Neil will learn from Xhaka as his new captain, describing it as “an opportunity to grow”. At only 23 years old, Neil’s career at the Stadium of Light is far from over but he will have to work harder to regain that midfield position.  

Ironically, it has been the old guard who have been winning the majority of Sunderland’s points; Omar Alderete became the first new signing to score in the Premier League with The Black Cats’ other six goals this season coming from players who were involved in the Championship campaign last season. 

As Sunderland prepare to take on Manchester United this weekend, O’Nien and Co will hope for the nod of approval from Le Bris and their chance to make an impact on Sunderland’s Premier League campaign.