The real impact of international breaks on Sunderland
The international break comes around three times a season, with the best and most in-form players called up for their country.
Sunderland have a number of players who represent their country, however how do they fare after the break?
Is the break seen as a blessing in disguise or is it seen as a distraction?
Looking back at the past three years, we look at what impact each break has had on Sunderland.
The Black Cats have enjoyed a solid start to their 2020-21 League One campaign.
After a tough first four fixtures, playing the likes of Peterborough United and Oxford United, Phil Parkinson’s side are fourth in League One having picked up eight points from a possible 12.
What do th es tats say about their post- international break results over the last three years?
2017-18 season: The first international break of the 2017-18 season came in October. Going into the international break Sunderland had lost two and drawn one of their previous three games.
They slightly improved after the break, drawing two and losing one. Before the November break, Sunderland had lost two and drawn one. This improved after the break, as they won one, drew one and lost one.
Sunderland had changed manager just after the break, with Chris Coleman replacing Simon Grayson, suggesting this could have helped improve results. Before the March international break, the Black Cats had lost their previous three games.
Results improved slightly after the break, as they picked up one win, one draw and a loss however overall the 2017-18 campaign was a disaster for Sunderland, as they were relegated to League One.
2018-19 Season: Sunderland’s first season in League One came under new ownership in Stewart Donald, who gave Jack Ross the task of winning promotion back to the Championship.
Before the October break, the Black Cats had picked up two draws against Coventry City and Peterborough, before beating Bradford City.
Their form dramatically improved after the break, as they won their next three games, keeping three clean sheets in the process.
November saw Sunderland win two and draw one before the international break. They repeated this feat after the break, as they drew before winning two on the spin.
Before the March break, Sunderland had drawn two and won one of their previous three.
They faced a trip to Wembley against Portsmouth just after the break, which they eventually lost on penalties.
They responded by winning their next two games. Jack Ross’ first and only full season in charge resulted in a stoppage time defeat against Charlton Athletic in the play-off final.
2019-20 season: Leading up to the October break, Sunderland had won one, draw none and lost one, which resulted in Jack Ross’ sacking.
Phil Parkinson was brought in during the break to replace him, with his first three games resulting in two losses and a win.
Results after the November break didn’ t improve as Sunderland lost two and drew one.
Finally, after a difficult start, Park in son guided Sunderland to seven thin League One, before the season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Sunderland missing out on the play-offs under the controversial points-per-game formula.
Sunderland’s following three results after the international break in October, November and March over the last three years:
2017/18 Championship Season: October: Sunderland 1-1 Queens Park Ranger s–Draw, Brent ford 3-3
Sunderland – Draw, Sunderland 1-2 Bristol City – Loss.
November: Sunderland 2-2 Millwall – Draw, Aston Villa 2-1 Sunderland – Loss, Burton Albion 0-2 Sunderland – Win.
March: Derby County 1-4 Sunderland – Win, Sunderland 1-3 Sheffield Wednesday – Loss, Leeds United 1-1 Sunderland – Draw.
2018/19 League One Season: October: Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Sunderland – Win, Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Sunderland – Win, Sunderland 3-0 Southend United – Win.
November: Walsall 2-2 Sunderland–Draw, Sunder land 4-2 Barnsley–Win, Sunderland 2-1 Bristol Rovers – Win.
March: Portsmouth 2-2 a et (5-4 pen) S underland – Lost on penalties in Checkatrade Trophy Final, Accrington Stanley 0-3 Sunderland – Win, Rochdale 1-2 Sunderland – Win.
2019/20 League One Season: October: Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Sunderland – Loss, Sunderland 5-0 Tranmere Rovers – Win, Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Sunderland.
November: Sunderland 1-1 Coventry City–Draw, Sunderland 1-2 Burton Albion – Loss, Gillingham 1-0 Sunderland – Loss.
March: Season curtailed due to coronavirus pandemic.
Overall, Sunderland have won 41.7% of their games after the international break.
Most of these wins came in League One, which will give Phil Parkinson hope going into the next three.
Sunderland have won 44.4% of their next three games after the October break over the past three years.
All four wins after the October break came in League One, which is another encouraging sign for Phil Parkinson’s squad.
The Black Cats face newly promoted Swindon Town and Crewe Alexandra, before facing promotion rivals Portsmouth. Two wins at the minimum will be enough for Sunderland, as they look to close the gap on first placed Ipswich Town.