Sunderland’s captain is amazed by the significant improvements in one key area of the team.
Under new manager Régis Le Bris, Sunderland has made a superb start to the 2024/25 Championship season, securing four consecutive wins and entering the international break at the top of the table.
Despite a largely unchanged squad, Le Bris has managed to rejuvenate the team, instilling a sense of purpose and cohesion. Midfielder Dan Neil, recently appointed captain, has observed notable enhancements, particularly in defense, which have left him “shocked.”
Neil expressed his surprise at the defensive improvements in a BBC 5 Live Sport interview: “I’m even shocked at how good we are defensively, to be honest. We learned from last year’s mistakes, where we often conceded just before halftime. This season, the team’s naivety has diminished, and we’re better at game management. That’s a major reason for our strong defensive start.”
Sunderland’s defensive statistics support these claims, with the team already securing three clean sheets—matching the tally of relegated Premier League side Leeds United. The team’s pressing game has also improved under Le Bris, with Dennis Cirkin leading the Championship in interceptions according to SofaScore.
Interestingly, Sunderland players are not prominent in the tackles and clearances table, indicating a reduction in last-ditch defending and that most opposition attacks are neutralized before reaching the defense.
While statistics alone don’t capture the full picture, the enhanced defensive performance reflects the squad’s renewed commitment and pride in playing for Sunderland.
