I think the majority of us Sunderland fans are reluctant to start singing and dancing about automatic promotion and indeed one of our more prominent local sports reporter suggests that the playoffs are still our major goal. Personally i'm just enjoying the ride at the moment and excited to see how far we go in a long long season. Ha'way the lads!
Ben, been watching Sunderland since 1963, and truth fully, I know it was Oxford, but after three games in six days, over 700+ miles on the bus, these boys must be one of the best group we have ever had.They totally did not break sweat against Oxford and in RLB, a manager who works out each opponent to a tee. The future is great, and if you have some time, look on u tube at the under 21s their close ball control is superb and these young lads will be ready soon.
I was especially impressed with how he worked out how the Leeds goalie was going to jump out of the way of the ball to gift Sunderland a point in the 97th minute at home😂
@@robertwalker1742 good point, Sunderland have lots of young prospects coming through as well. All age groups doing well and playing exciting football.
Ben, I really don't care if we're favourites, or not. I'm just absolutely basking in the joy my team brings me at present. Love these boys as much as my own family ❤🤍
Sunderland were fantastic yesterday, particularly Bellingham, Rigg and Roberts. Isodor's goal was something else. They're a young team and will only get better. People seem to be forgetting they also have a lot of injuries, Abdullahi, Ballard, Alese, Poveda, Seelt, Huggins, Mayenda, Samed and Patterson all out.
Just ploddding along nicely aren’t we? It’s so good to see the football yesterday was sublime Rigg and Jobe are different class but the signing of Mepham has been top class
As a Sunderland fan, we’ve had an awesome start, but let’s not get excited until Boxing Day. If we’re still up there at Christmas, then we’ll start believing. In Reggie we trust 🙏🏻
in 12 games were the only team in the championship team to score in every game this season its say it all really the football has been unreal to watch the best I've seen whilst supporting this club
Great to see a non-parachute fighting for it on the top. Sunderland fans deserve an up really after quite a while and would love to see them up in the top flight again where they belong
I’m an optimistic but also realistic Sunderland fan! I’d be more than happy with the play offs still even though we’re top by 5 points ❤️🤍 we do have a few key players injured but we’ve been quite lucky with our starting 11 for the past 5/6 games even with losing our goalkeeper. Few keys signings in January and we could very much finish 1st or 2nd 🙏🏻
What’s really encouraging is the composure and maturity of the team. The youngest team in the league we were put under a real physical bombardment at Luton but they held firm and produced a couple of moments of real quality to win the game.
I'm pretty happy as Leeds fan. Only 2 points dropped in a 3 game week, and that was away against a side with a strong home record. You can't not look as Sunderland and get a little frustrated, but there are a lot of games left, and there will be plenty of changes in form for all teams, so we just need to focus on ourselves.
Sunderland feel like the new Ipswich, momentum is huge in this league! Still think they will drop off a little but will still be right up there come the end. Leeds still got some gears to go up and should have had 3 points if not for Mesliers absolute howler
as a sheff u fan, i think George Baldock passing away, has taken a big impact on the side over this last week. i think January will be a big transfer window for us a few more additions would secure top 4 spot and a potential take over might help. a lot of good young signings still gelling together as a brand new team we have done really well. with the leeds game i think wilder got the formation wrong and i think the boro match was a bit of a hangover from that. i hope we keep this form and consistency over the season and in a few years the club will be in a great position with the new first team training ground and getting the academy to Cat 1. as a fan I'm not bothered by getting promoted as long as the club progresses and we have a good feeling around the club UTB
As a Claret, and as things stand. I would say Sunderland are both setting the pace and maintaining momentum. However it’s early to say hi my view. I watched us yesterday and although we drew 0-0 our performance in most parts of the pitch was very good. We need an out an out goalscorer goal scorer and I believe we will then peak.
As a sland fan for 40 years we are 12 points from safety imo we were class yesterday but don’t think any realistic sland fan thinks we are going to win it
If the black cats can keep our best players during the January window I would be more confident of at least a playoffs place. Being a lifelong supporter it does feel like a dream still, wonderful to experience. RLB has been a revelation, and the club has responded wonderfully.
@@johnshores6061 if we get a 35M bid for Rigg and a 50M bid for Jobe it'd test our resolve. I remember the Bent transfer. Came out of nowhere and destroyed our season
@@stuartarthur9844 What's 85 compared to 250 for promotion ?? Man U want Rigg to have 8 home grown Brits in the squad. If Amad finds it hard to get picked, I think Chris would be in the same boat. He loves US and hopefully stays at any price. My concern is that Mepĥam may get a recall in January and he'd have to leave. If we can keep this squad together and get promoted, the fees for our players would rise substantially. I hope KLD recognises this and thinks with his head and NOT his pockets. Great season to date, long may it run. HWTL ❤
There are SO many games to go I don't think we can look at title favourites just yet but I for one plan to simply enjoy the success we are having at the minute. It's been a long time coming and lovely stuff to watch. There are a lot of very good teams chasing us and I've seen too much to get excited until it's mathematically done.
Good week for Millwall as you said. Next two games are home to Burnley and then Leeds. We'll know a lot more about all those three sides after that. Crazy league.
It's still early in the season and anything can happen. However after the last 7 or 8 years (maybe longer) something does feel different at the club and I want to get carried away and enjoy this while it lasts. Start of the season I would have said playoffs, now, hell yes. Why not?! HWTL 🔴⚪
Leeds fan here table doesn't lie you have to consider them favourites now. Leeds are doing well with injuries considering other top teams dont have them.
I disagree with you pal. We have dominated against top teams and teams in form. How we got a draw at SFC I will never know when it should be 3. Not forgetting so many injuries. Teams like SFC have to come to ER yet. Keeping in touch until Xmas and hopefully, once our players are back from injury I'm confident we will be top and be promoted as champions.
As a Sunderland fan not title favourites but the more we keep winning & teams dropping points like Burnley Leeds are then we will build more of a gap that it already is, if we do that then people will need to start & think about us as that if not title or top 2 we will definitely be in the playoffs
Rigg will likely go for more money, but Bellingham seems the real star to me. It's hard to believe he's our player and not accidentally on loan from Barcelona or somewhere against sides at home. Struggles a little more physically against the Lutons and Watfords but it'll come. I guess if we don't make it this season he'll be funding the 2526 attempt. You just have to enjoy while it lasts
I think Sunderland’s chances are going to go on their resilience to keep hold of the likes of Jobe and Rigg in January. I’d love to see us keep hold of the squad we have now through to the summer and build around that with quality and experienced prem players
25% of the season completed as at 27th October 2024, and Sunderland are top of the Championship with the most points, the most wins (a good mix of 5 home and 4 away), the highest number of goals scored, scored a goal in every league game this season, the best goal difference, the sixth lowest goals against. So, yes, Sunderland deserve to be taken seriously as a very good, well managed, side even though it is not possible to predict for any side what will happen during the remaining 75% of the season. Perhaps 2024 will mirror the 1964 season of 60 years ago with Leeds and Sunderland gaining automatic promotion to the top league!
We're not favourites, no - but that doesnt matter in the slightest. In my opinion we're playing some of the best stuff in the league but we've done that before - what we haven't done before is show that we're capable of winning games in different ways and capable of just grinding games out when we need to - we were barely capable of doing that in League 1. It does feel different and we've still got more players to come into the side too. It's incredibly exciting!
As a Millwall fan I thought they were on a losing streak it was struggling to stay up it would be amazing absolutely shocking at the bottom it just doesn’t effect on Neil Harris but it’s difficult to get on their high standard and more capable of doing always stay up and even for the team are under pressure they will get huge improvement and for an example advice for Neil Harris don’t put your team under pressure because they can get his high standard just get back in form after they beat Swansea so lucky that Millwall will stay up I got huge confidence that they will have a good season
Leeds fan here. Sunderland have been class and great to see any team bar the 3 who came down doing well. I think injuries could hinder them in the long term as the squad depth doesn't look great. Ramazani is a huge loss for us and not confident in Farke making it work when a player like that is out as seen yesterday
The injuries massively depend. We're already onto our 3rd CB after alese and Ballard were injured so we still have two great players to come in there. Not to mention seelt due to come back. We have suffered striker injury this season already with a high flying mayenda who has been pushed out for isidor and Connolly with Abdullahi still to make his debut. It's odd to have depth in our striker situation given how the last few seasons went. The midfield still has Browne as a backup, alexic and samed yet to make their debut, not to mention some of the options from last season who haven't had a chance yet such as Ba and Aouchiche. The wings are where we're less prepared. Huggins is still injured and he's our primary FB cover and as bad as it is to say, hjelde just isn't a one for one substitute for cirkin. We have poveda to come back in and Bennette to call on for the wingers at some point but i don't think they're at the same level as Roberts and mundle personally. Injuries will hurt us like any team but we're already suffering quite a few injuries already so while it can get worse, it can also get better from here
If it makes you any happier, I have watched all our (Sunderland) games so far and the only team that matched us was Leeds.My take is that Sunderland and Leeds will be fending off other strong teams, and whether either of us can do it, is a tricky question to answer. As others have already said, I am just enjoying the football we are playing and the organisational brilliance of our manager.
@@remyd1984 Did you think you were unlucky against Cov, ?? Heard a few of your guys say they deserved it,,,,weird considering you's were 2 nil up.... ??
As a Leeds fan this years championship is absolute dross. That is why I get frustrated with farke. Fair play to Sunderland you have to win your games and at the mo they’re doing that
As a Sunderland fan I think most aren’t putting their house on us winning the championship and are just enjoying this while it lasts- bound to be bumps in the road along the way… Mayenda is fit for the next one we’re told so maybe he could have a little run up front and give Isidor a rest in a game or two when they’re coming 3 a week! Loving this team and what they’ve achieved so far! Hoping it continues and we’re having a more serious conversation when we’re 20 games in and see if we’re still playing like this and still up there with a gap below us!
And the first week back after the international break is also a 3 game week Last 3 Game Week fixtures - Luton (A) - Leeds (A) - Blackburn (H) Next 3 game week - Wednesday (A) - Swansea (A) - Oxford (H) 3 game after that - Plymouth (A) - Bristol City (H) - QPR (H)
Would say that the Mackems are certs for top 6, but only a quarter way through the season, too early to make them favourites , lets wait and see where they are come the New Year !
Sunderland fan. I dont think fans are on the automatic promotion bus. I think we are just focused on one game at a time. We'll see what January brings. Its a 100% longshot but i want them to bring Amad Diallo back. We'd actually play him 😂
@@BenjaminBloom yes you are one of them, i'm not saying we are too big for the championship, i know if we go up, it will be a massive struggle to stay up, nut i don't think leeds and burnley are better than us , and after all the years of crap we put up with, we are finally enjoying some good football
@@robchissy mate you’re literally commenting on a video where I said I didn’t expect Sunderland to be up there but now they need to be taken seriously. Why would you take this line of communication?
Can see Blades finishing top 4, maybe push for autos if we strengthen in January … but I’d like us to stay in the champ for another season … much more enjoyable football and we need to keep building the squad. Really need new owners prepared to spend big if we want to compete in the prem, not ready for another season of pain and misery just yet ⚔️
I am a Sunderland Fan and a Hull fan ( Hull born). I fear Sunderland has got to the top too early, every single game will be like a cup tie because all teams want to knock us off our pedestal . We are not blowing teams apart and we have had a bit of the rub of the green in some games . But hey what a great start.
It's really remains to be seen . I wouldn't put much emphasis on who is leading the table at this time of the year . With only being a quarter of the way into a season its early days. Look what Southampton did last season after being thrashed early in their season to come back and gain promotion. Or Leeds failing again to gain promotion after looking a formidable side . Wait till the new year before banging the drum on getting promoted
Too early for us (Sunderland) to be title favourites, I would put us odds on for a playoff spot while expecting to be top 2 from what I have seen so far. Thing is the January transfer window could see us selling Riggs and Jobe Bellingham (not sure the contract situation with Jobe) and if someone comes in and offer 25 million+ for one of them I can see our owners going for the money as they did with Clark. Interestingly Jack Clark has posted on his Facebook that he regrets leaving as he has gone from first team regular to bench warmer in a semi struggling Ipswich - I said when he went his management team were crazy and it was all about the money while they stymied Clarks development. If I were him I would be looking for a more professional manager and agent. If we can keep all our players through January and we avoid major injuries we will be there or there about but not counting anything until after January.
I don't see it. Ipswich doing it last season was a freak (well deserved one) But, parachute payments make an enormous difference in the quality of a team squad and the ability to get a new recruit or two in January. I think Sunderland will end up in the play offs.
[ironic mode on] Of course, according to my unbiased calculations, we should be champions by mid-february, which oddly enough is the Leeds away game [ironic mode off] No seriously we have what it takes to be excellent in the league, combination of modern football and press/second balls presence, Le Bris is the new Wenger and Isidor is the new Thierry Henry, we haven't even used him on the wings yet, we have a good bench too so not worried about january window if it's managed properly (ie Bellingham and Rigg can't go even if it's Real Madrid, Man City or Bayern)
I've been following Sunderland for over 50 years, all the way back to when I was a young kid. They've yet to play a game where I've thought, yeah, I think they're going to win today. It's probably had a significant impact on my world view actually, as I'm what you might call a glass half empty person. So, "no" is the answer to your question.
They have been very good. I feel like we (Leeds) are playing within ourselves at the minute and our squad is suffering due to injuries. I'm hoping we are within touching distance in January, when I think we will kick into gear.
Let's be honest here Burnley apart from the first 2 games are well off the pace and hardly broke sweet. Theres massive room for improvement, same applies of course for everyone. Enough said tbh.
I’ve followed Sunderland AFC for nearly 60 years ‘ and one of the main reasons that I’ve noticed for teams getting promoted is that they don’t have to score lots of goals !the main reason for promotion is a strong defence ! And with the exceptional Supporters that the Black Cats have this could be one of the best seasons for Sunderland AFC ‘ withIn resent years 🎉 🇬🇧
Favourites no. That would still be Leeds followed by Sheff. U and Burnley. Contenders maybe, hopefully, why not. All those apply at this stage of the season.
As a Sunderland fan, I think it is way to early to say that we are the title favourites yet. Lets leave it to after Christmas then see where we are. I am being very cautious here, as the saying goes, don't count your chickens before they hatch...
Title favourites. No. Title favourites if Samed and Alexisic comes good. If Ballard and Alese come back on top form. If Connolly starts scoring. Title favourites 100% yes.
The Championship is a long old slog. There's always one team that goes off like a train and falls away (look at Preston last season). I'm predicting Sunderland to finish 5th/6th at best, though I'm happy to be proved wrong.
Way too early for a title favourites call. Sunderland are off to a flier, no reason they can’t make playoffs or better but they’ll need luck with injuries and the like. Championship is not as tough as last season but there’s still a few decent teams near the top, mainly the parachutes.
Taking my red and white hat off you could easy say Leeds should beat us, hull could easily been a draw and Luton dominated large parts of the game…. That said yesterday we were brilliant and it feels like SOL is becoming a fortress. The young players are improving at a rate of knots and the future looks bright. HWTL
Sunderland haven’t played anybody of quality so far apart from Leeds and managed to fluke a draw in that game their luck will run out.. leeds Burnley and sheff Utd will get promoted nailed on
No Leeds are. Sunderland are second favourites and a great bet for automatic promotion. And let’s not forget only a terrible mistake by the Leeds goalie means they’re not 3 points closer to Leeds who have also from memory had more difficult games. They were tipped to win the league by Gabriel Sutton in case anyone doesn’t know.
Only 25% more or less of the season done. A long, long way to go yet. No club in this league is mathematically safe from relegation, never mind promotion yet. One game at a time
A Sunderland Fan, No we're not, just having a good run at the beginning of the season. The are better teams out there we are a young team and have confidence but not favourite.
Ben i'm always upset when you don't talk about Norwich or Middlesbrough lol. Not sure have Sunderland had any injuries yet. If they haven't that could be a contributing factor (not taking anything away from them with the new manager) Still think Leeds are slightly favourites given a bit more squad depth anf Farke's 4 seasons in the the championship with only one of them under 90 pts. so Leeds Favourites, then Burnley,Sheff Utd,Sunderland for auto's.
Sunderland fan: We lost Dan Ballard and Aji Alese to injuries. Both have started at centre back this season and highly rated in the league. We also started this season with Eleiza Mayenda up front who also picked up an injury, which opened the door for Isidor to start. At Luton midweek, we lost first choice keeper Patterson to injury. We also brought in Alan Browne this summer for the midfield and he's been ruled out with injuries for a few weeks off and on, wth him just coming back fairly recently. We brought in a player called Samed on loan for the midfield, but since he's joined he worsened an injury and has not played any minutes. Our midfield has been Neil, Bellinham and Rigg as a three every week, without much rotation. I think we've got one of the lowest numbers of players used in the league because our squad's had injuries in areas where rotation would normally be exercised. I hope this helps :)
Wouldn't count them as favourites yet personally Ben, whilst they look unbelievable at the moment, will they have the depth and consistency? My view is Leeds and Burnley most likely. I agree Burnley have been average but they are still winning, which is never a bad sign. FWIW hope Sunderland do it. Wonderful club and helped SWFC stay up last season which I'll be forever grateful for 🦉
Thanks for the comment about SAFC. You and us are similar types of clubs, with great histories (mostly underachievers, of late) All the best for the remainder of the season.
People can say we were lucky against certain teams and this and that but we are still getting results. It’s early days yet and every team has different styles of play and different tactics on the pitch just because we scraped a win against let’s say Luton and someone else battered them or lost to them it doesn’t mean nothing. Every single team is different when they face each other. You can say all you want that we beat you because you had a poor side out but the facts are that is exactly what the bench is for and it’s moments of quality on the pitch that have gained us the top spot. You are going to get moments in the season where you drop points and lose games but you can only play what’s in front of you. I really hope this team does get automatics because there is allot of people doubting them. For such a young squad they are doing fantastic!
As an Ipswich fan Go on and well done SUNDERLAND. You won't fall off, keep going, you'll be either 1st or 2nd. Keep Leeds 3rd lol. They'll go top in early march think they've done it then play Stoke and Oxford and fuck it up 😂
Mate the only ridiculous thing here is someone thinking a RUclips video would jinx a football club...but use whatever coping mechanism you need to for the new expectation levels, I've seen them all doing this gig over the years 🙂
It's not unheard of FFS. There's plenty of people who have been crowing about how a team is going to do this and that, and they end up with egg on their faces. I know fine well that our rivals will love this video and use it against us if we don't go up. You obviously don't have to work with mags, I do.
Well you deal with jinxes and your hypothetical potential future work places interactions how you see fit fella, I'll keep talking about what's going down in the Championship and if you want to comment on your clubs brilliant form, manager and players instead I'd love to hear it 🙂
from a Bristol City fan. Yes, I hope so. Great fans & great club. Good luck Sunderland.
I think the majority of us Sunderland fans are reluctant to start singing and dancing about automatic promotion and indeed one of our more prominent local sports reporter suggests that the playoffs are still our major goal. Personally i'm just enjoying the ride at the moment and excited to see how far we go in a long long season. Ha'way the lads!
Well 90 points would get you there..
AS a SAFC fan Never count your chickens .We will just respect every team and try our best.
Exactly. One game at a time
We’re gonna through it away as per usual all what it takes is one injury
@@Willgrigg_e4k
We've got loads of injuries... What a strange thing to say
@@Willgrigg_e4khahah.... Leeds will catch up..... Then we will fall apart when it matters..... I think you'll be fine 😂
you mean “throw”
Ben, been watching Sunderland since 1963, and truth fully, I know it was Oxford, but after three games in six days, over 700+ miles on the bus, these boys must be one of the best group we have ever had.They totally did not break sweat against Oxford and in RLB, a manager who works out each opponent to a tee. The future is great, and if you have some time, look on u tube at the under 21s their close ball control is superb and these young lads will be ready soon.
Sunderland doing well will alert the vultures! Hope we can keep hold of this group of players, seems to be a really good vibe amongst them.
I was especially impressed with how he worked out how the Leeds goalie was going to jump out of the way of the ball to gift Sunderland a point in the 97th minute at home😂
We now have some of the best talent I've seen in my 51 years. RLB reminds me of Wenger, a top drawer football noggin.
@@robertwalker1742 good point, Sunderland have lots of young prospects coming through as well. All age groups doing well and playing exciting football.
@@br8355say all you want about that goalie blunder. Both goals Leeds scored were ATLEAST debatable
Ben, I really don't care if we're favourites, or not. I'm just absolutely basking in the joy my team brings me at present. Love these boys as much as my own family ❤🤍
Sunderland were fantastic yesterday, particularly Bellingham, Rigg and Roberts. Isodor's goal was something else. They're a young team and will only get better. People seem to be forgetting they also have a lot of injuries, Abdullahi, Ballard, Alese, Poveda, Seelt, Huggins, Mayenda, Samed and Patterson all out.
Jobe was like Steven Gerrard yesterday, a Rolls Royce of a midfielder.
Just ploddding along nicely aren’t we? It’s so good to see the football yesterday was sublime Rigg and Jobe are different class but the signing of Mepham has been top class
As a Sunderland fan, we’ve had an awesome start, but let’s not get excited until Boxing Day. If we’re still up there at Christmas, then we’ll start believing. In Reggie we trust 🙏🏻
in 12 games were the only team in the championship team to score in every game this season its say it all really the football has been unreal to watch the best I've seen whilst supporting this club
Great to see a non-parachute fighting for it on the top. Sunderland fans deserve an up really after quite a while and would love to see them up in the top flight again where they belong
Sunderlands match day revenue is one of the highest in the championship though.
@@Micfri300match day revenue literally means nothing in this day and age
@@Dom99Z in the championship it does and a lot.
I’m an optimistic but also realistic Sunderland fan! I’d be more than happy with the play offs still even though we’re top by 5 points ❤️🤍 we do have a few key players injured but we’ve been quite lucky with our starting 11 for the past 5/6 games even with losing our goalkeeper. Few keys signings in January and we could very much finish 1st or 2nd 🙏🏻
Great to see our acknowledgment
What’s really encouraging is the composure and maturity of the team.
The youngest team in the league we were put under a real physical bombardment at Luton but they held firm and produced a couple of moments of real quality to win the game.
I'm pretty happy as Leeds fan. Only 2 points dropped in a 3 game week, and that was away against a side with a strong home record. You can't not look as Sunderland and get a little frustrated, but there are a lot of games left, and there will be plenty of changes in form for all teams, so we just need to focus on ourselves.
Sunderland's best start to a campaign since 1899.
Sunderland feel like the new Ipswich, momentum is huge in this league! Still think they will drop off a little but will still be right up there come the end. Leeds still got some gears to go up and should have had 3 points if not for Mesliers absolute howler
Well played Sunderland from Owls fan 🎉
Oxford are doing Awesome 👌 Well played them too 😮😮😮
as a sheff u fan, i think George Baldock passing away, has taken a big impact on the side over this last week. i think January will be a big transfer window for us a few more additions would secure top 4 spot and a potential take over might help. a lot of good young signings still gelling together as a brand new team we have done really well. with the leeds game i think wilder got the formation wrong and i think the boro match was a bit of a hangover from that. i hope we keep this form and consistency over the season and in a few years the club will be in a great position with the new first team training ground and getting the academy to Cat 1. as a fan I'm not bothered by getting promoted as long as the club progresses and we have a good feeling around the club UTB
As a Claret, and as things stand. I would say Sunderland are both setting the pace and maintaining momentum. However it’s early to say hi my view.
I watched us yesterday and although we drew 0-0 our performance in most parts of the pitch was very good. We need an out an out goalscorer goal scorer and I believe we will then peak.
As a sland fan for 40 years we are 12 points from safety imo we were class yesterday but don’t think any realistic sland fan thinks we are going to win it
If the black cats can keep our best players during the January window I would be more confident of at least a playoffs place. Being a lifelong supporter it does feel like a dream still, wonderful to experience. RLB has been a revelation, and the club has responded wonderfully.
If your top 2 in January the club would show absolute 0 ambition if they sold any stars .
@@johnshores6061 if we get a 35M bid for Rigg and a 50M bid for Jobe it'd test our resolve. I remember the Bent transfer. Came out of nowhere and destroyed our season
@@stuartarthur9844 What's 85 compared to 250 for promotion ?? Man U want Rigg to have 8 home grown Brits in the squad. If Amad finds it hard to get picked, I think Chris would be in the same boat. He loves US and hopefully stays at any price. My concern is that Mepĥam may get a recall in January and he'd have to leave. If we can keep this squad together and get promoted, the fees for our players would rise substantially. I hope KLD recognises this and thinks with his head and NOT his pockets. Great season to date, long may it run. HWTL ❤
@@bradpalmer2953 Mepham is a season long loan
Great start from us not getting carried away can all go wrong
Five points clear and some exuberantly flowering talents? Yes, they’re favourites.
There are SO many games to go I don't think we can look at title favourites just yet but I for one plan to simply enjoy the success we are having at the minute. It's been a long time coming and lovely stuff to watch. There are a lot of very good teams chasing us and I've seen too much to get excited until it's mathematically done.
Good week for Millwall as you said. Next two games are home to Burnley and then Leeds. We'll know a lot more about all those three sides after that. Crazy league.
It's still early in the season and anything can happen. However after the last 7 or 8 years (maybe longer) something does feel different at the club and I want to get carried away and enjoy this while it lasts.
Start of the season I would have said playoffs, now, hell yes. Why not?! HWTL 🔴⚪
Sunderland are looking good. Leeds should be top 2. Who else? Sunderland is a real contender
Leeds fan here table doesn't lie you have to consider them favourites now. Leeds are doing well with injuries considering other top teams dont have them.
I disagree with you pal.
We have dominated against top teams and teams in form. How we got a draw at SFC I will never know when it should be 3. Not forgetting so many injuries. Teams like SFC have to come to ER yet.
Keeping in touch until Xmas and hopefully, once our players are back from injury I'm confident we will be top and be promoted as champions.
As a Sunderland fan not title favourites but the more we keep winning & teams dropping points like Burnley Leeds are then we will build more of a gap that it already is, if we do that then people will need to start & think about us as that if not title or top 2 we will definitely be in the playoffs
Rigg will likely go for more money, but Bellingham seems the real star to me. It's hard to believe he's our player and not accidentally on loan from Barcelona or somewhere against sides at home. Struggles a little more physically against the Lutons and Watfords but it'll come. I guess if we don't make it this season he'll be funding the 2526 attempt. You just have to enjoy while it lasts
I think Sunderland’s chances are going to go on their resilience to keep hold of the likes of Jobe and Rigg in January. I’d love to see us keep hold of the squad we have now through to the summer and build around that with quality and experienced prem players
25% of the season completed as at 27th October 2024, and Sunderland are top of the Championship with the most points, the most wins (a good mix of 5 home and 4 away), the highest number of goals scored, scored a goal in every league game this season, the best goal difference, the sixth lowest goals against. So, yes, Sunderland deserve to be taken seriously as a very good, well managed, side even though it is not possible to predict for any side what will happen during the remaining 75% of the season. Perhaps 2024 will mirror the 1964 season of 60 years ago with Leeds and Sunderland gaining automatic promotion to the top league!
We're not favourites, no - but that doesnt matter in the slightest.
In my opinion we're playing some of the best stuff in the league but we've done that before - what we haven't done before is show that we're capable of winning games in different ways and capable of just grinding games out when we need to - we were barely capable of doing that in League 1.
It does feel different and we've still got more players to come into the side too. It's incredibly exciting!
As a Millwall fan I thought they were on a losing streak it was struggling to stay up it would be amazing absolutely shocking at the bottom it just doesn’t effect on Neil Harris but it’s difficult to get on their high standard and more capable of doing always stay up and even for the team are under pressure they will get huge improvement and for an example advice for Neil Harris don’t put your team under pressure because they can get his high standard just get back in form after they beat Swansea so lucky that Millwall will stay up I got huge confidence that they will have a good season
We need around 21 wins from 34 to have a great chance of automatic promotion or just under 2 points a game.
Leeds fan here. Sunderland have been class and great to see any team bar the 3 who came down doing well. I think injuries could hinder them in the long term as the squad depth doesn't look great. Ramazani is a huge loss for us and not confident in Farke making it work when a player like that is out as seen yesterday
The injuries massively depend. We're already onto our 3rd CB after alese and Ballard were injured so we still have two great players to come in there. Not to mention seelt due to come back.
We have suffered striker injury this season already with a high flying mayenda who has been pushed out for isidor and Connolly with Abdullahi still to make his debut. It's odd to have depth in our striker situation given how the last few seasons went.
The midfield still has Browne as a backup, alexic and samed yet to make their debut, not to mention some of the options from last season who haven't had a chance yet such as Ba and Aouchiche.
The wings are where we're less prepared. Huggins is still injured and he's our primary FB cover and as bad as it is to say, hjelde just isn't a one for one substitute for cirkin.
We have poveda to come back in and Bennette to call on for the wingers at some point but i don't think they're at the same level as Roberts and mundle personally.
Injuries will hurt us like any team but we're already suffering quite a few injuries already so while it can get worse, it can also get better from here
If it makes you any happier, I have watched all our (Sunderland) games so far and the only team that matched us was Leeds.My take is that Sunderland and Leeds will be fending off other strong teams, and whether either of us can do it, is a tricky question to answer. As others have already said, I am just enjoying the football we are playing and the organisational brilliance of our manager.
@@nigelnicholson7439thought Luton was unlucky against you lot!
@michaelm8529 also got young tommy Watson for the wing. Who is an outstanding talent.
@@remyd1984 Did you think you were unlucky against Cov, ?? Heard a few of your guys say they deserved it,,,,weird considering you's were 2 nil up.... ??
As a Leeds fan this years championship is absolute dross. That is why I get frustrated with farke. Fair play to Sunderland you have to win your games and at the mo they’re doing that
As a Sunderland fan. I can garentee we can't keep it up.
Also, shhhh! We wanna stay under the radar.
As a Sunderland fan I think most aren’t putting their house on us winning the championship and are just enjoying this while it lasts- bound to be bumps in the road along the way… Mayenda is fit for the next one we’re told so maybe he could have a little run up front and give Isidor a rest in a game or two when they’re coming 3 a week!
Loving this team and what they’ve achieved so far! Hoping it continues and we’re having a more serious conversation when we’re 20 games in and see if we’re still playing like this and still up there with a gap below us!
They are playing some great football ,a joy to watch atm
And the first week back after the international break is also a 3 game week
Last 3 Game Week fixtures
- Luton (A)
- Leeds (A)
- Blackburn (H)
Next 3 game week
- Wednesday (A)
- Swansea (A)
- Oxford (H)
3 game after that
- Plymouth (A)
- Bristol City (H)
- QPR (H)
Would say that the Mackems are certs for top 6, but only a quarter way through the season, too early to make them favourites , lets wait and see where they are come the New Year !
Sunderland fan. I dont think fans are on the automatic promotion bus. I think we are just focused on one game at a time. We'll see what January brings. Its a 100% longshot but i want them to bring Amad Diallo back. We'd actually play him 😂
Sunderland got no chance long term, massively outperforming there xg, cannot last
many youtubers say sunderland are a massive club, yet when we perform well those same youtubers say yes they did well but have the peaked too early,
Feel free to address the one you're talking to right now boss...🙂
@@BenjaminBloom yes you are one of them, i'm not saying we are too big for the championship, i know if we go up, it will be a massive struggle to stay up, nut i don't think leeds and burnley are better than us , and after all the years of crap we put up with, we are finally enjoying some good football
@@robchissy when did I say Sunderland had ‘peaked too early’?
@@BenjaminBloom maybe not you in those exact words, but you think sunderland will flop as we normally do
@@robchissy mate you’re literally commenting on a video where I said I didn’t expect Sunderland to be up there but now they need to be taken seriously. Why would you take this line of communication?
Can see Blades finishing top 4, maybe push for autos if we strengthen in January … but I’d like us to stay in the champ for another season … much more enjoyable football and we need to keep building the squad. Really need new owners prepared to spend big if we want to compete in the prem, not ready for another season of pain and misery just yet ⚔️
Cant judge till christmas
There playing great atm. Hoping Leeds can keep pace
I am a Sunderland Fan and a Hull fan ( Hull born). I fear Sunderland has got to the top too early, every single game will be like a cup tie because all teams want to knock us off our pedestal . We are not blowing teams apart and we have had a bit of the rub of the green in some games . But hey what a great start.
ok ,ben i,ll tell you better at xmas,and if we get hendo then its def on the cards mate
It's a hard league a bad run is always possible as shown through the years, one thing is for sure in sunderland we are entertained atm
It's really remains to be seen . I wouldn't put much emphasis on who is leading the table at this time of the year . With only being a quarter of the way into a season its early days. Look what Southampton did last season after being thrashed early in their season to come back and gain promotion. Or Leeds failing again to gain promotion after looking a formidable side . Wait till the new year before banging the drum on getting promoted
as a Norwich City fan, I think it will be Sunderland Norwich Leeds who will go up I think for the play-offs, West Brom Middlesbrough and Bristol City
Too early for us (Sunderland) to be title favourites, I would put us odds on for a playoff spot while expecting to be top 2 from what I have seen so far. Thing is the January transfer window could see us selling Riggs and Jobe Bellingham (not sure the contract situation with Jobe) and if someone comes in and offer 25 million+ for one of them I can see our owners going for the money as they did with Clark.
Interestingly Jack Clark has posted on his Facebook that he regrets leaving as he has gone from first team regular to bench warmer in a semi struggling Ipswich - I said when he went his management team were crazy and it was all about the money while they stymied Clarks development. If I were him I would be looking for a more professional manager and agent.
If we can keep all our players through January and we avoid major injuries we will be there or there about but not counting anything until after January.
I don't see it. Ipswich doing it last season was a freak (well deserved one) But, parachute payments make an enormous difference in the quality of a team squad and the ability to get a new recruit or two in January. I think Sunderland will end up in the play offs.
Regarding my team Millwall heres a decent stat Ben. Since Harris returned only Leeds have accumulated more points then us.
[ironic mode on] Of course, according to my unbiased calculations, we should be champions by mid-february, which oddly enough is the Leeds away game [ironic mode off] No seriously we have what it takes to be excellent in the league, combination of modern football and press/second balls presence, Le Bris is the new Wenger and Isidor is the new Thierry Henry, we haven't even used him on the wings yet, we have a good bench too so not worried about january window if it's managed properly (ie Bellingham and Rigg can't go even if it's Real Madrid, Man City or Bayern)
We usually drop off second half of the season so im not getting carried away
I've been following Sunderland for over 50 years, all the way back to when I was a young kid. They've yet to play a game where I've thought, yeah, I think they're going to win today. It's probably had a significant impact on my world view actually, as I'm what you might call a glass half empty person. So, "no" is the answer to your question.
As a Sunderland fan ill be happy with play offs..
I Still think SAFC have more chance of a play-off place. But, who knows. I'm astonished at our start this season.
Suspect their squad will get stretched so still more likely playoffs than top 2. What they do in January will be key IMO
Way too early to judge imo, as a Sunderland fan I’d still be happy if we made play offs
They have been very good. I feel like we (Leeds) are playing within ourselves at the minute and our squad is suffering due to injuries. I'm hoping we are within touching distance in January, when I think we will kick into gear.
Would say its to early to say ask again in march
I think that they are. Its not hyperbole.
Was the ultimate smash and grab was our only shot I believe
Thanks man, didn't want to speak out of school!
Let's be honest here Burnley apart from the first 2 games are well off the pace and hardly broke sweet. Theres massive room for improvement, same applies of course for everyone.
Enough said tbh.
I’ve followed Sunderland AFC for nearly 60 years ‘ and one of the main reasons that I’ve noticed for teams getting promoted is that they don’t have to score lots of goals !the main reason for promotion is a strong defence ! And with the exceptional Supporters that the Black Cats have this could be one of the best seasons for Sunderland AFC ‘ withIn resent years 🎉 🇬🇧
Way too early...but we are doing good with a very talented team
Favourites no. That would still be Leeds followed by Sheff. U and Burnley. Contenders maybe, hopefully, why not. All those apply at this stage of the season.
As a Sunderland fan, I think it is way to early to say that we are the title favourites yet. Lets leave it to after Christmas then see where we are. I am being very cautious here, as the saying goes, don't count your chickens before they hatch...
Ask us again mid January
Title favourites. No. Title favourites if Samed and Alexisic comes good. If Ballard and Alese come back on top form. If Connolly starts scoring. Title favourites 100% yes.
As a long term Championship analyst, no
The Championship is a long old slog. There's always one team that goes off like a train and falls away (look at Preston last season). I'm predicting Sunderland to finish 5th/6th at best, though I'm happy to be proved wrong.
Watford penalty was the sort that if it’s your team being awarded it it’s a stonewaller. If it’s against your team it was never a pen.
Way too early for a title favourites call. Sunderland are off to a flier, no reason they can’t make playoffs or better but they’ll need luck with injuries and the like. Championship is not as tough as last season but there’s still a few decent teams near the top, mainly the parachutes.
Taking my red and white hat off you could easy say Leeds should beat us, hull could easily been a draw and Luton dominated large parts of the game…. That said yesterday we were brilliant and it feels like SOL is becoming a fortress. The young players are improving at a rate of knots and the future looks bright. HWTL
BURNLEY FC.....for the title !
UTC⚽️
Sunderland haven’t played anybody of quality so far apart from Leeds and managed to fluke a draw in that game their luck will run out.. leeds Burnley and sheff Utd will get promoted nailed on
Sunderland have beat Burnley and Middlesbrough earlier in the season, as well as the draw against Leeds.
Ben don’t put a curse on us please just forget we are in the championship
No Leeds are. Sunderland are second favourites and a great bet for automatic promotion.
And let’s not forget only a terrible mistake by the Leeds goalie means they’re not 3 points closer to Leeds who have also from memory had more difficult games.
They were tipped to win the league by Gabriel Sutton in case anyone doesn’t know.
Only 25% more or less of the season done.
A long, long way to go yet.
No club in this league is mathematically safe from relegation, never mind promotion yet.
One game at a time
A Sunderland Fan, No we're not, just having a good run at the beginning of the season. The are better teams out there we are a young team and have confidence but not favourite.
No-one wins the league in October. Anyone who has watched Sunderland knows they aren’t the best in the league.
Ben i'm always upset when you don't talk about Norwich or Middlesbrough lol. Not sure have Sunderland had any injuries yet. If they haven't that could be a contributing factor (not taking anything away from them with the new manager) Still think Leeds are slightly favourites given a bit more squad depth anf Farke's 4 seasons in the the championship with only one of them under 90 pts. so Leeds Favourites, then Burnley,Sheff Utd,Sunderland for auto's.
Sunderland fan: We lost Dan Ballard and Aji Alese to injuries. Both have started at centre back this season and highly rated in the league. We also started this season with Eleiza Mayenda up front who also picked up an injury, which opened the door for Isidor to start. At Luton midweek, we lost first choice keeper Patterson to injury. We also brought in Alan Browne this summer for the midfield and he's been ruled out with injuries for a few weeks off and on, wth him just coming back fairly recently. We brought in a player called Samed on loan for the midfield, but since he's joined he worsened an injury and has not played any minutes. Our midfield has been Neil, Bellinham and Rigg as a three every week, without much rotation. I think we've got one of the lowest numbers of players used in the league because our squad's had injuries in areas where rotation would normally be exercised. I hope this helps :)
Yes, we've had and have a few injuries and our goal keeper was out with injury for yesterday's game.
We've had loads of injuries
@@sj-30000 ok wasn’t sure thanks. Always have a soft spot for Sunderland
Players injured right now
Goalkeepers
-Anthony Patterson
Defenders
- Niall Huggins
-Ajibola Alese
-Dan Ballard
-Jenson Seelt
Midfielders
-Ian Poveda
-Abdul Samed
Attackers
-Elizer Mayenda
-Ahmed Abduallhi
-(Potentially Wilson Isidor)
Sunderland are doing great but if my life depended on my selection I'm still choosing Leeds giving their upcoming fixtures
Wouldn't count them as favourites yet personally Ben, whilst they look unbelievable at the moment, will they have the depth and consistency?
My view is Leeds and Burnley most likely. I agree Burnley have been average but they are still winning, which is never a bad sign.
FWIW hope Sunderland do it. Wonderful club and helped SWFC stay up last season which I'll be forever grateful for 🦉
Thanks for the comment about SAFC. You and us are similar types of clubs, with great histories (mostly underachievers, of late) All the best for the remainder of the season.
@@mickbuxton9165 same to you my friend!
Well they are obviously not title favourites Ben if you look at the bookies odds?
Otherwise help yourself to the 6/1 available
Nahh that wont last, boro is coming 4 them, the lions are hungry,
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
People can say we were lucky against certain teams and this and that but we are still getting results. It’s early days yet and every team has different styles of play and different tactics on the pitch just because we scraped a win against let’s say Luton and someone else battered them or lost to them it doesn’t mean nothing. Every single team is different when they face each other. You can say all you want that we beat you because you had a poor side out but the facts are that is exactly what the bench is for and it’s moments of quality on the pitch that have gained us the top spot. You are going to get moments in the season where you drop points and lose games but you can only play what’s in front of you. I really hope this team does get automatics because there is allot of people doubting them. For such a young squad they are doing fantastic!
Sunderland will drop off its 100% inevitable. If they get an injury or two the squad depth isn’t there
Sunderland currently have about 8 first team players out injured?
@@ziggysawdust5407 Sunderland can have 11 man injured but it help alot beeing the refs favorite aswell!!
As an Ipswich fan
Go on and well done SUNDERLAND.
You won't fall off, keep going, you'll be either 1st or 2nd.
Keep Leeds 3rd lol. They'll go top in early march think they've done it then play Stoke and Oxford and fuck it up 😂
Sunderland and Leeds top 2
If Sunderland lose all there best players in the January transfer market and don't bring players in, then we will have no chance.
That would be true for any club, in any division, at any time, anywhere in the world.
SAFC THE BEST HA WAY THE LADS
I take this with a pinch of salt Sunderland are playing wonderful football ATM but been let down so many times it's a stange thing
I'd rather people wouldn't jinx us.
I seriously doubt any safc fan thinks we're a title contender.
Ridiculous
Mate the only ridiculous thing here is someone thinking a RUclips video would jinx a football club...but use whatever coping mechanism you need to for the new expectation levels, I've seen them all doing this gig over the years 🙂
It's not unheard of FFS. There's plenty of people who have been crowing about how a team is going to do this and that, and they end up with egg on their faces.
I know fine well that our rivals will love this video and use it against us if we don't go up. You obviously don't have to work with mags, I do.
Well you deal with jinxes and your hypothetical potential future work places interactions how you see fit fella, I'll keep talking about what's going down in the Championship and if you want to comment on your clubs brilliant form, manager and players instead I'd love to hear it 🙂
these 3 wins are really convincing and I really think we get autos
You think you was better than Luton?
@@remyd1984 1st half no 2nd half yes