Don Goodman understands Sunderland pessimism amid ‘awful’ verdict
Don Goodman praised the start Sunderland have made to the Championship season after an “awful” end to the previous campaign.
The former player and EFL expert credited the way the Black Cats have navigated the early stage of the Championship campaign, winning their first four games before an agonising stoppage-time defeat by Plymouth Argyle last Saturday.
The loss in Devon represented Sunderland’s first dropped points of the campaign, slipping behind West Brom in the table, but it has been a largely superb start after a dismal end to last term.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, Goodman said: “I could understand why some people may have thought they’d be in trouble this season, simply because they were awful in the back end of last season. Then you factor in an unknown head coach, so the pessimism from some supporters was justified.
“But, until the weekend [at Plymouth], it couldn’t have gone any better for them really. You look back at the Cardiff game on the opening day, then from there they blew Sheffield Wednesday away with an absolutely brilliant performance.
“They then played Burnley at the perfect time with all the chaos in the transfer window, some players not travelling, and Sunderland did a job on them. Fratton Park is not an easy place to go but they went there and won easily. So I’ve been really impressed with them.”
Sunderland back on track after 2023-24 horror show
Sunderland have been a breath of fresh air in the opening weeks of this season, in stark contrast to the final months of last.
The team went out with a whimper, sinking to 16th place after reaching the play-offs the season prior under Tony Mowbray.
Sacking Mowbray last December, the infamous 12-game reign of Michael Beale saw the club vilified by its own supporters, who were frustrated not to have heard too much in the way of boardroom communication when the chips were down as first-team coach Mike Dodds took the reins for the final third of the season.
The summer was one of anxiety among the Wearside fanbase after such self-inflicted woes, but it was also one of productivity, and the appointment of Regis Le Bris has witnessed an outstandingly good start.
Defeat to Wayne Rooney’s Argyle was Le Bris’ first in English football, and puts the new-found mentality to its maiden test ahead of Middlesbrough’s short trip up the A19 on Saturday.
In other Sunderland news, more reported Premier League interest in Anthony Patterson.
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