The approaching return to motion of Dennis Cirkin and Romaine Mundle marks a welcome return for 2 gamers who’ve served us effectively on our journey to the Premier League.
And it’s received me pondering of the larger image. We’ve already seen a couple of of our Championship winners given a possibility to stake their declare on the prime degree, and so they haven’t disillusioned.
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Dan Ballard has proved influential at each ends of the pitch. Not solely did he rating on the opening day in opposition to West Ham, he is a continuing menace within the opposition penalty space from set-pieces and Nordi Mukiele’s lengthy throws. He has additionally impressed a few of our most dogged defensive performances.
Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda each received off the mark rapidly, with the previous netting 3 times within the opening video games. Whereas Trai Hume struggled at Previous Trafford, he’s typically acquitted himself effectively within the prime flight, whereas Chris Rigg has proven glimpses of what we now have lengthy identified he’s able to.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Dennis Cirkin of Sunderland takes a throw in through the Sky Guess Championship Play-Off Semi Ultimate Second Leg match between AFC Sunderland and Coventry Metropolis at Stadium of Gentle on Might 13, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Picture by George Wooden/Getty Photographs)
It’s received me genuinely excited to see a couple of extra of final season’s gamers get their likelihood. I’m not calling for all of them to be chosen en masse; there’s a very deliberate purpose as to why the squad was considerably strengthened, such is the extent required within the Premier League.
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We’ve got an thrilling new staff now, however on the odd event, we would must draft a couple of of the previous guard again in to cowl for accidents, suspensions, and probably, lack of kind. I’d again them to put on the shirt with delight, and I don’t assume they’d allow us to down.
I believe Mundle may very well be a breath of recent air. He’s quick and difficult however is hard and has a steely competitiveness working by way of his veins. Mundle was by no means fazed when requested to fill Jack Clarke’s footwear within the early a part of final season, and I believe he’d take to the highest flight in related, supremely assured vogue.
After all, health is a large concern. We are able to’t anticipate an excessive amount of too quickly, and maybe Romaine might serve initially as an efficient bench participant.
Like fellow full-back Hume, I believe Cirkin might do a gentle job at left-back, however given a run of video games (which admittedly appears unlikely with Reinildo on account of return from suspension quickly), it could be attention-grabbing to see if Dennis’ attacking qualities, which had been so prevalent within the Championship, would bear fruit in opposition to top-flight defences.
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It’s straightforward to imagine that sure gamers could be “came upon” within the Premier League, however I’d by no means guess in opposition to a lad who got here by way of the ranks at Tottenham and was this summer season linked with a transfer again to North London. Mundle additionally has Spurs’ academy connections.
I’d wish to see Dan Neil get his likelihood if a possibility comes alongside. In spite of everything, he performs Granit Xhaka’s place, and who higher to study from than the person himself? I don’t know what is going on with Neil’s contract state of affairs, nor his or the membership’s intentions relating to the midfielder’s future on the membership. However he has featured as a part of the squad all season to this point, and at not fairly 24, have to be itching to play soccer.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Dan Neil of Sunderland in motion through the pre-season pleasant match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Gentle on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Picture by Stu Forster/Getty Photographs)
Once more, it’s straightforward to imagine that if required, Lutsharel Geertruida or maybe Noah Sadiki would fill in for Xhaka, if our Swiss captain was sidelined. However I’ve religion that Neil is disciplined and skilled sufficient a footballer to play that holding function, or one other barely additional ahead in midfield.
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Let’s additionally not neglect Anthony Patterson, whose fantastic early save within the play-off remaining was essential in our promotion that day. He’s our quantity two, and whereas Robin Roefs has taken our goalkeeping division to a different degree, Patterson is an incredible shot-stopper who might probably excel if given an opportunity. He doesn’t have the command of his space like Roefs does, however at 25, remains to be younger sufficient to iron out any weaknesses.
It’s a lifelong ambition of mine (and has been for a couple of years now) to see Luke O’Nien play at the very least one Premier League recreation for Sunderland. He’s an clever man with a coronary heart of gold, a flexible footballer who ought to by no means be written off.
Luke wouldn’t be on the bench if Régis Le Bris and his workers didn’t assume he was succesful. The previous Wycombe man could be busting a intestine to seize any likelihood he will get.