Sunderland experienced their first Championship defeat on Saturday, falling to Plymouth Argyle. Despite the setback, captain Dan Neil believes the team has made a strong start to the season and is focused on using the loss as motivation.
Neil, who returned to the squad after suspension, acknowledged the team’s disappointment with both the result and their second-half performance. However, he stressed the importance of quickly moving past this defeat while also recognizing the positive start they’ve had, with four wins from five games.
“We’re all disappointed with the result and the performance, especially in the second half,” Neil said. “But we need to reflect on this swiftly, identify our mistakes, and remember that four wins from five is still an excellent start. We’ve been staying grounded through the international break and this week.”
Neil added, “No one likes losing, but we need to see this setback as a chance to improve. It’s a bit of a wake-up call, but Middlesbrough is the perfect opportunity to bounce back with a full week of preparation and a packed Stadium of Light.”
Sunderland will host Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30pm.
