Alex Charlton says…Sunderland’s shock package deal: Robin Roefs
In line with stories, we’d missed out on a number of goalkeeping targets and given how little I knew about him, the division he was enjoying in and his price ticket, I had my reservations about his means. To be sincere, I used to be additionally barely disillusioned that was not given an opportunity after his Wembley heroics — now, I’ve to applaud each selections.
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We would have liked to be defensively resolute firstly of the season to have any basis, and I really feel the Flying Dutchman’s confidence and skill aided our again line after which some.
Not solely is he an outstanding shot stopper, he’s additionally assured in claiming excessive balls — one thing Patto couldn’t accomplish that properly. Sure, he has had his errors, however he’s not at all the completed product.
The reported curiosity from prime golf equipment is unsurprising, and I hope we grasp onto him.
Favorite away day:
Seeing as the one away day I used to be in a position to get tickets to was , I received’t be selecting that for apparent causes!
There are a lot of away video games I loved watching from dwelling, together with Newcastle, and , however I’m going to go along with our win over Everton on the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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I wasn’t positive what to anticipate earlier than the sport. Everton hadn’t been nice at dwelling, whereas we had picked up some very good outcomes on the highway, and with each groups chasing Europe, and I anticipated a detailed affair.
Getting into at half-time one down was a blow as I didn’t suppose it was deserved, however the second half show was completely excellent and it encapsulated our means to struggle till the tip. Not solely was it an outstanding staff efficiency, however Enzo Le Fée showcased his best, whereas I all the time get pleasure from a aim from the bench.
It was clearly our closing away recreation of the marketing campaign and it arrange one of many best days in our historical past.
Anth Gair says…Sunderland’s shock package deal: Robin Roefs
Loads of shouts for this one.
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stored popping up with targets that really mattered — large moments in large video games.
Bertrand Traoré grew into the season and have become an increasing number of necessary proper up till that damage, which was a sickener. And Luke O’Nien? Actually, unreal for practically each minute he was on the pitch, and no person noticed it coming. He simply didn’t play sufficient for me handy him the badge.
So it goes to Roefs. And aye, fingers up, there’s a little bit of goalkeepers’ union bias right here.
I’m a keeper myself, so I do know precisely what it takes to face in that aim week in and week out, in one of the best league on the earth, at solely twenty three years of age having turned up from NEC Nijmegen with subsequent to no person exterior Sunderland realizing your title.
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He didn’t simply cope. He was excellent. Walked in, took the primary shirt off Anthony Patterson and by no means regarded again.
Ten clear sheets, he began each league recreation we requested him to, and the numbers have been even higher than the attention check — the joint-best shot-stopping figures in the entire division and just one goalkeeper within the nation stopping extra targets. From a lad no person anticipated something from to some of the coveted goalkeepers in in a single season.
That’s your shock package deal. Palms off, by the way in which. He’s ours.
Favorite away day:
Now, I’ll be sincere: I wasn’t truly there for this one, and it nonetheless nags at me. Stamford Bridge, 25 October, and I watched each minute of it from dwelling, chewing my nails off.
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We had no proper in anyway to win it.
caught them in entrance inside 4 minutes on his full debut, and you might really feel everybody bracing for an extended afternoon within the capital. Standard script, you’d suppose. “Plucky Sunderland flip up at a giant membership, have a go, and get despatched dwelling with nowt”.
Not this lot.
Wilson Isidor levelled it after launched a kind of ridiculous lengthy throws into the field and the entire thing fell aside for them. Then, deep into stoppage time, Talbi ran onto ’s lay-off and rolled it into the underside nook.
And I’d have given something to be in that away finish when it hit the web. I may see our lot going berserk within the nook, hundreds of them down in London dropping their minds, and there’s me leathering the sofa within the entrance room. Buzzing and sick with envy suddenly.
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We didn’t simply win down there, we ended their little four-game successful run and went second within the Premier League. Second. Let that sink in. Sunderland, second within the nation on the finish of October.
To the few thousand who have been truly in that floor to see it: I’m made up for you, and I hate each one in every of you. That’s the away day I’d give something to have been at.
Ben McKevitt says…Sunderland’s shock package deal:
For me, there’s just one apparent reply for this, and I’m going to should agree with John by going with Sadiki.
He was introduced in with out an enormous quantity of fanfare as he adopted the massively anticipated and costly switch of a sure . Each the worth tag and status of Diarra had Lads’ followers stirring in a little bit of a frenzy because it was the primary indication that we have been severe in the summertime, with the added bonus of royally pissing off jealous followers.
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Sadiki himself appeared some days later for a considerably decrease payment however sharing lots of the similar traits as Diarra — a promising, younger, French-speaking central midfield participant whose arrival additionally pissed off Leeds followers. I feel that price ticket formed some preliminary impressions.
From the primary friendlies through which we received an opportunity to see Sadiki, he impressed massively and regarded ranges above each what we anticipated of him and his teammates.
I actually suppose that from that time onwards, we’ve taken his expertise without any consideration. I’m undecided that he was introduced in with the categorical intention to start out him within the midfield instantly – however his expertise has demanded it from begin to end.
He does get loads of plaudits, however I feel it’s nonetheless neglected how spectacular it has been for such a younger midfielder to come back in and fully lock down his place in a stacked midfield.
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He does what none of our different choices can do along with his combination of athleticism, willingness, intelligence and on-ball means. When all 4 central midfielders have been match without delay, I didn’t see a single shout to interchange or displace Sadiki with any of the others — his qualities are completely indispensable.
He clearly has some weaknesses to his recreation which turn into extra noticeable the additional up the pitch he will get, however he’s a very immense expertise and can doubtless have a implausible profession, whether or not it’s in purple and white or not.
Favorite away day: Nottingham Forest
While our dwelling kind was the bedrock for our season and success, away days have been very type in spells. Being generously hosted by the Guests was an apparent spotlight however one that stands proud a bit extra in my thoughts than it’d for some is the Nottingham Forest recreation.
For me, it was an excellent second, watching from a quaint residence within the South of France and in a position to rejoice accordingly after victory was confirmed. On a extra common be aware, it demonstrated that we had a plan and a capability to win in opposition to Premier League opposition when on away turf.
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’s early header was an indication of the occasions as we had early set piece dominance whereas our defensive efficiency to carry out as Forest piled on the strain was nerve-wracking however finally very rewarding. It was a fourth consecutive unbeaten recreation; it boosted us as much as fifth within the league and it continued the frankly unbelievable begin and vibes we had on the time.
Little did we all know it will hardly finish…
I’m going to go for a participant that we all know higher than virtually anybody — not as a result of we have been not sure as to how good he can be, however how good he can be at Premier League stage.
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Step ahead, O’Nien, AKA the chances defier, the person whose mentality is wrapped in a kevlar jacket, no doubt somebody who thrives in enjoying the sport his technique to nice success.
He’s somebody supporters have had a curious relationship by way of the years — you understand some nonetheless don’t settle for he’s a central defender and would favor to see him enjoying elsewhere (am I joking, you resolve?) — but when there’s a person that’s thrived on being written off greater than him, I’d prefer to see him.
The added ingredient this 12 months is the main focus of followers of different prime flight golf equipment who delighted in saying he was our weak hyperlink and was cited as a cause we’d get relegated. But his report in video games he performed has been glorious, delivering two ‘man of the match’ performances and being part of a defence that — apart — regarded very stable. This reached a crescendo final week when he shackled a Chelsea ahead line which price the GDP of a small nation.
I have to admit that I had my doubts, however O’Nien as soon as once more has proved us all mistaken.
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Favorite away day: Everton
Except for the Mags, which was addressed beforehand, it needs to be Everton away within the penultimate recreation of the season — a conflict which Sunderland grew into and after half time totally dominated.
It felt like an affirmation of Régis Le Bris’ tweaked approach of enjoying which is able to function a blueprint for subsequent season. His modifications with fifteen minutes to go signalled we have been going for it — as he made clear was his mantra again in the summertime of 2024.
The end result was a victory which made us realise that sure, Europe was doable.
John Wilson says…Sunderland’s shock package deal: Noah Sadiki
I haven’t chosen any participant that was with us final season within the Championship as a shock package deal, as I had religion that a lot of them may make the step up and people given an opportunity usually took it.
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Of the numerous new signings, Sadiki has impressed me most.
I listened to Haway The Podcast after they mentioned him with an abroad journalist, and his abstract of Sadiki has proved to be spot on. Quick off the mark over a number of metres, however not essentially over longer distances. By no means stops working; an absolute terrier, making an absolute nuisance of himself. Retains play transferring and pushing up the pitch.
We have been additionally informed he’d turn into a crowd favorite and he’s actually completed that.
After listening to his qualities, I used to be trying ahead to seeing him play, and I’ve not been disillusioned. He performs with positivity and a smile on his face, and is a key member of the squad. I’m undecided concerning the rumours that he could possibly be bought on — hopefully that’s unfounded.
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A wonderful season and helpful member of the squad.
Favorite away day: Newcastle
I can’t get to away video games, however I watch on TV after we’re reside.
There have been some tense and thrilling away video games this season however utilizing the metric of “which recreation would I’ve made my neighbours surprise what the heck was happening”, it needs to be the away win on the Guests.
It had all the pieces and by the tip, you might solely hear one set of supporters (aside from my neighbours who may solely hear me!) and it was our joyous followers.
A memorable day and match. My voice was hoarse, all within the consolation of my very own lounge!
There was numerous fanfare round a lot of our summer time signings however Mukiele virtually crept below the radar with numerous focus elsewhere — and he would’ve been my participant of the season if hadn’t been so fabulous by way of the marketing campaign.
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He oozed class from the outset and infrequently had an off-day
Favorite away day: Chelsea
Just because it was an early check and we regarded so achieved all through the sport then received the winner so late with a well-worked aim to offer us what we deserved from the sport.
The ambiance within the away finish was electrical and we’ve had some actually good outcomes at Stamford Bridge, so it holds good reminiscences.
Lee Morrison says…Sunderland’s shock package deal: Robin Roefs
Having watched loads of Premier League soccer while we have been dwelling in League One and the Championship, there was one frequent theme that helped result in low factors totals and inevitable relegation from promoted groups: poor goalkeeping.
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While I had some sympathy for Anthony Patterson, we will all agree that it will’ve been a threat to have him as our beginning goalkeeper within the Premier League and we actually wouldn’t have ended up wirh such a historic end — and a large component of this has been all the way down to Robin Roefs.
Contemplating that this has been his second skilled season, he’s been completely immense. A lot so, actually, that he is without doubt one of the names that usually will get linked to a giant transfer; going ahead although, I hope he sticks with us for one more season, at the least.
His presence and quietness in aim is great and there have been a number of moments the place he helped us safe factors. Ten clear sheets in your first season isn’t any imply feat, not least after they embrace clear sheets in opposition to and .
There’s additionally the small matter of his distribution, which is great, and there have been a number of factors this season the place Roefs has been a focus of our counter-attacks.
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Though some may be annoyed when he takes time on the ball, I really feel like that is extra of a tactical transfer from the teaching employees, versus one thing particular to Roefs as a person.
Primarily based on what he’s been saying in interviews and on social media, Roefs goes to be a giant a part of our European marketing campaign subsequent season. If he’s been this immense in his first season within the Premier League, I can solely think about how good he’ll be subsequent 12 months.
Favorite away day: Chelsea
Contemplating the beginning of the sport, the place we allowed Alejandro Garnacho (alleged leaker of staff sheets), to attain, the tip end result was an ideal embodiment of the resilience and “never-say-die” angle that the staff possesses.
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As we all know, away factors are extremely tough to get within the Premier League. On a private stage, I’m all the time delighted after we come away with a draw, so to depart Stamford Bridge with all 3 factors on that day was very good.
Essentially the most memorable second needed to be Chemsdine Talbi’s aim — though it wasn’t simply the aim itself. It was all the pieces round it: the truth that it began in our personal field, the very good lofted ball from , the truth that Brian Brobbey continues to be holding the ball up now, whilst I sort, all the way down to the sensible end from Talbi.
Final-minute winners hit in another way.
They particularly hit in another way once you’ve skilled such a big period of time away from the Premier League. I’d have been delighted had that been the one late winner we scored this season, however the truth that it’s simply one in every of many makes it even sweeter!
I knew completely zero concerning the lad after we signed him and regardless of being a , there was no cause to count on what we’ve seen from his earlier report, for my part.
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On the age of twenty 9, he hadn’t actually established himself at anyone main staff within the current previous, nor had he loved a mass of successes.
His three seasons at (the primary on mortgage) was his most settled interval with ninety appearances and two targets, and I’ve to imagine he actually shone there to scouts like ours, therefore the transfer for him. Earlier than that, he solely actually matched that season with thirty one video games in a season at Basel a couple of years earlier than, scoring twice.
He’s maybe the epitome of a knowledge signing, with information that lummoxes like me can’t see, though he’s clearly proven much more than the statistics display.
His means on the ball is loopy for a giant lad who performs on the again. He’s nice within the air and challenges for the ball properly in each packing containers, and he additionally scores the odd aim (and he may’ve had extra this season). His confidence even when below strain is wonderful too.
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He had a few shaky moments, however all defenders get completed on occasion within the Premier League.
It’s among the best leagues on the earth, however with the way in which , Alderete, Nordi Mukiele and Luke O’Nien have overlapped and coated one another, we’ve been very blessed this season, and Alderete has been an enormous a part of that.
When he arrived, he was possibly solely actually a star in for many, however after that season, he’s a Premier League defender of some credit score. He’s most likely the most important shock success and I suppose it reveals laymen like me why he received a four-year contract after they signed him!
What a Rolls Royce. One other large “properly completed” to and the gang.
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Favorite away day: Liverpool
We dominated final season’s Premier League champions on their very own patch and actually ought to’ve received the sport.
hit the bar early on; Alderete put a free header off the skin of the put up, and after they equalised with an personal aim, Wilson Isidor rounded the goalkeeper just for his shot to be scrambled clear within the dying minutes, after an immaculate lengthy ball out from Roefs.
That recreation informed me we will beat any facet wherever this season, and we went on to have a really respectable away report throughout the marketing campaign, successful 5, drawing six and dropping eight. And naturally, we received extra factors from dropping positions than anybody else.
Nearly a large away win, but it surely was a marker in our growth as a very aggressive prime stage facet, and one which had my coronary heart in my mouth repeatedly.
Perhaps subsequent season…
Michael Dunne says…Sunderland’s shock package deal: Dan Ballard
Much like what the remainder have mentioned, there’s an abundance of alternative for shock package deal of the season provided that we have been tipped to complete final by virtually all of the journalists and pundits but when I needed to choose one, it will be Ballard. While it might be steered that Ballard being class wasn’t a shock, I’m selecting him as a result of sheer ease that he appeared to step as much as Premier League stage.
Large Dan’s performances when match have been implausible and his physicality and aerial dominance are excellent for the robustness of the highest tier of English soccer.
It’s clear that he has all of the parts of a prime defender and one may recommend that if he may keep match repeatedly, he could have by no means have left such is the standard he possesses. I hope that he can proceed to excel with us going into subsequent season, staying match and avoiding hair pulling!
Favorite away day: Manchester United
While it doesn’t should be a recreation that I attended, I’m going to decide on United away because it was one of many few I received to. In precise reality, my away day report this season is abysmal as they included our away journeys to , United, and Arsenal — an combination defeat of 10-1!
Rising up, United was all the time the massive facet and it simply felt nice to go and play these groups within the league given the numerous fall from grace that we had.
Regardless of defeat, the ambiance within the away finish was implausible all through and because it was nonetheless early within the season, there was nonetheless an air of giddiness amongst the followers that we have been again within the Premier League.
Earlier than his arrival, I had completely no thought who the Frenchman was and regardless of a stable CV, I used to be left questioning what was niggling behind the scenes as to why he was becoming a member of Sunderland — how silly was I.
Because it transpired, his reference was none aside from Granit Xhaka, who additionally captained him at and it quickly turn into obvious as to why Xhaka wished Mukiele airdropped into Wearside as quickly as doable.
Totally formidable, an excellent technical participant and versatile too, he’s purchased into the membership massively and also you see that each week he steps onto the pitch.
Exhausting as nails, recreation as you want and he is aware of the place the web is simply too. He’s additionally simply that proper stage of bonkers that each one good centre backs should be.
Favorite away day: Everton (FA Cup)
There was just one away day I may tick off but it surely was a great one regardless, particularly when Robin Roefs saved all three penalties within the essential shoot out.
It was a nice day on the banks of the Mersey and due to the planning surrounding the Hill Dickinson Stadium, everybody managed to get their 10,000 steps in for the day.
The one draw back to a jolly day trip was the referee costing all those that parked in Liverpool One an additional tenner on the parking for gifting away a smooth penalty proper on the finish.
As for the ‘Hill Dicky’? It’s a beautiful stadium from the skin however missing inside; a generic copy-and-paste job from central Europe that lacks numerous soul. No criticism of Everton right here however such a stadium feels a bit wasted on them within the grand scheme of issues.