It feels a little foreign to write, given our struggles in League One over the past few years, but Sunderland are flying high after a stellar start to the season. Honestly, the 7/1/1 result column feels mightily unfair actually given the late capitulation away to Fleetwood and the gobsmacking and confusing loss to Burton (on my birthday no less; the cheek of it), but we shouldn't complain, should we?
Amongst the refreshing changes this season (of which there are many), has been the accountability and the leadership on view throughout our opening nine games. As a big American Football fan, the concept of a 'leadership group' is extremely normal to me, given its staple place in the NFL, but I know it confused many fans at the beginning of the season. They say results tell all, and if so it seems to have been a roaring success. For keen viewers of the 'access all areas' videos on the club's YouTube channel, this perhaps is not surprising, but for those not so accustomed, we are treated to many encouraging scenes.
Take, for instance, the case of young Niall Huggins. A revelation over the past few games, the young fullback signed from Leeds this season, has stood out of late, not least of all for playing both left and right fullback – and looking good in both! As with most young, talented full backs, the scouting report from Leeds fans touted his adept ability going forward but his raw skills defensively.