Pascal Struijk has been surprised at Sunderland (Credit: Imago)
Pascal Struijk has been surprised at Sunderland (Credit: Imago)
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Leeds United star is 'Surprised' at what Sunderland have done

Josh Edwards
Josh Edwards

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at FanHub and the Sunderland Echo; Sunderland University graduate. FOCUS Transfer analysis and breaking news across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Josh utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, first-to-market transfer reporting. He provides the deal detail behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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Leeds defender Pascal Struijk has been "surprised" by what Sunderland have achieved so far this season.

The Black Cats currently sit five points clear of Leeds at the top of the Championship table and have surprised almost everyone with an eye on the division.

Struijk is one of those who have been surprised as revealed in an interview with BBC West Yorkshire (30 October).

He said: "We always have high expectations. I am a bit surprised by Sunderland, by the way. They have started really well. But this league is long and is very tough."

Underestimation is an advantage for Sunderland

The longer Sunderland are underestimated, the better. Throughout the opening 12 games, the Black Cats have had "they're nothing special" claims thrown at them each week with Luton boss Rob Edwards even seeming a little disgusted when talking about their defeat in October.

Ultimately, if teams are to underestimate how good Regis Le Bris' side have been so far, then that can only be a good thing.

Sunderland have demonstrated their ability to win games in various circumstances. A comfortable win in a dominant performance was a stark contrast to the win against Luton where the performance wasn't pretty but it was certainly effective.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris
Sunderland hired Regis Le Bris as manager in the summer. (Credit: Imago)

Their ability to adapt in games under the Frenchman has been magnificent and is a huge part as to why they find themselves where they are.

Saturday's (3 November) trip to QPR will provide another different test against a side who have won just one of their opening 12 games.

In other Sunderland news, Mel Reay's Women side completed the re-signing of centurion Grace McCatty.

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