MORE FROM BIG BAD DON
Don Goodman (pictured here modelling our popular Big Bad Bri t-shirt) has praised Sunderland for sticking with Regis Le Bris during these tough times, but says that in modern football anything can happen so quickly. He's also spoke about the heavy European fixture pile-up and why the start of this season has been so different to last year. We spoke to Don via Casinolyze...
KEEP THE FAITH IN RLB
"It's pleasing, but as I said, sentiment is in short supply in the football world. As brilliant a job as he has done, their next three games are against Aston Villa, Spurs, and Liverpool, alongside European fixtures. If they don't pick up points, that vote of confidence can evaporate very quickly."
PREM PRIORITY
“Régis Le Bris is experienced enough to recognise that the Premier League must remain the absolute priority. It's fantastic to see Sunderland back in Europe after so many decades, but they cannot afford for European competition to cost them their top-flight status. They're within touching distance right now, but you don't want to reach a point where you need three consecutive wins just to bridge a gap to the teams above.”
GRIT AND DETERMINATION
"In the first few matches, the data and the eye test showed they were playing well and deserved more points - they even gave Manchester City a fright in that 5–3 defeat at the Etihad. But the alarm bells rang over the last few matches (excluding Chelsea).
POOR RUN
“Losing away at Bournemouth is tough, and drawing with Leeds at home was an opportunity missed, but the 3–1 defeat at Coventry was a real disappointment. After the City game, they faced Brighton, Bournemouth, Leeds, and Coventry. Last season, when they played, they showed an ability to dig in and grind out points even when second best. That resilience was missing, and that's what had set the alarm bells ringing.”
EURO FATIGUE
"It's no coincidence. Look at last season: Spurs were in Europe and finished 17th; Nottingham Forest were in Europe and finished 16th; Crystal Palace were in Europe and finished 15th. Newcastle finished 12th. Chelsea finished 10th and were the highest-placed team in Europe outside Arsenal, Man City, and Liverpool. Meanwhile, Manchester United finished third without European distraction. Coincidence? I don’t think so!
EXPECTED A STRUGGLE
“Spurs, Forest, and Palace were all embroiled in relegation scraps while balancing European schedules. It's certainly not a coincidence that a club like Sunderland would find that balance difficult. Everyone expected it to be challenging, but I doubt they anticipated sitting bottom of the table after nine games and facing this much pressure.”
