How Johnson's mixed start compares to his Cats predecessors

Sunderland's win over Shrewsbury Town marked Lee Johnson’s tenth game since arriving at the club – so how did his start compare to those who preceded him in the role?

Johnson’s start to life on Wearsidehasbeenmixed,with injury woes and the club’s Covid-19 outbreak only complicating matters.

There have, however, been plenty of positive signs – not leastthewinsoverLincolnCity and Port Vale – and Johnson’s impact is starting to show on theside’sstyleofplay.Butwhat do the numbers say about how his opening ten games compare to those of Jack Ross and PhilParkinson?Wetakealook:

JACK ROSS’ FIRST TEN GAMES: Won: 4. Drew: 4. Lost: 2. Win Percentage: 40%.

Ross’reignbeganinthebest possiblemanner,withthatdramatic late win over Charlton

Athletic on the opening day of the 2018/19 season.

Sunderland drew as many gamesastheywonduringRoss’ first ten games, and the Scot’s reign would ultimately be associated with dropped points atcrucialmomentsofthecampaign. The Black Cats did only lose twice during their first ten games under Ross though, with only one of those defeats coming in the league.

PHIL PARKINSON’S FIRST

TEN GAMES: Won: 2. Drew: 3.Lost:5.WinPercentage:20%.

Parkinson’sdifficultstartto lifeonWearsidewaswell-documented, and it’s no surprise to see the stats reflect that.

While there were some glimpses of promise – most notably the 5-0 win over TranmereRovers–thereweresome very concerning results.

Defeats to Shrewsbury Town, Leicester City U21s and ScunthorpeUnitedrepresented

an underwhelming start, anddroppedpointsduringthis periodultimatelyprovedcostly forSunderlandwhenthecampaign was curtailed.

Just as was the case during Ross’ start to life on Sunderland, the problems that would ultimately plague Parkinson’s reignwereapparentearlyonin his tenure – namely a failure to score goals.

LEE JOHNSON’S FIRST TEN GAMES: Won: 5. Drawn: 3.Lost:2.WinPercentage:50%.

In terms of raw win percentage, then, Johnson’s start has been the best of any of the trio of managers who have led Sunderland in League One.

The number of draws is probablystilltoohighforsome people’s liking, but the early signs look positive. We’ve seen exciting flashes of the type of football Johnson wants to implement, and given time that win percentage may creep up.