‘Right move to a great team’
On a disappointing evening at Rochdale, Dion Sanderson’s debut was a major positive for Sunderland.
But such a performance was arguably no surprise given Sanderson’s pedigree and commitment to detail.
And it was made even more remarkable given the youngster’s lack of gametime in recent weeks – and the whirlwind nature of the deal that brought him to Wearside...
S anderson’ s switch to Sunderland was one which came about quickly.
For much of the window, the defender has been expected to head to the Championship – but despite interest from the second tier, the 20-year-old did not turn his nose up at the chance to head to League One.
"At first, I didn' t really hear anything off Sunderland,” he said, after his debut.
"It was literally on the last day for me. But as soon as I found out, I was like 'yeah, send me there, let's go'.
"Now I'm here and I'm ready to work, and today is a good starting point for me.”
While time was tight to complete the move, with the deadline looming, once the ink was dry on the loan arrangement Sanderson set about researching his new side, keen to ensure the transition was as seamless as possible.
"I've watched some of the games and studied the way they play and the formation they play, and got familiar with it and what the gaffer wants,” said the defender.
"It's just to give myself a better opportunity for when I do play. Sunderland are a massive club and I think we'll do really well this season.”
Having sat out of the games against Swindon Town, Crewe Alexandra and Portsmouth, Sanderson was thrust straight into the starting line-up at Spotland.
It was testament to both his quality and the attention he had paid to Sunderland’s set-up that he slotted nearseamlessly into the back three, dealing well with some early pressure as Rochdale focused their attacks down the right.
And the youngster was delighted to have racked up some valuable minutes after a long period without a game.
"I enjoyed every moment of it,” said Sanderson.
"I was waiting for it for a while. Obviously I missed two of the games due to fitness because I haven't played for a while. Tonight was my first full 90 in quite a while - four or five weeks - and I enjoyed every moment of it."
There was a brief concern in the second half when Sanderson, clutching his left knee, received lengthy treatment.
“I lost a bit of feeling in my foot, down half of my leg,” explained the defender.
"I was a bit worried at the time, but I just ran it off like any defender would.
"I'll be in this week doing a bit of rehab work to get it right for Saturday.”
The draw in the North West was Sanderson’s first taste of League One action – a prospect entirely different to fixtures in Premier League 2, or the brief taste of the Championship that the Wolverhampton-born centre-back experienced at Cardiff City last term.
But it was a challenge relished by the 20-year-old, who enjoyed the physical side of the battle at Spotland.
“With me being a defender, I love tackling,” he added.
"I love all the dirty parts of it and I felt everything was all good.”
I t wa s t e l l i n g t o o t h at Sanderson started on the right of the back three, rather than at wing-back – with Conor McLaughlin handed the wider role.
The youngster has experience in both positions, but it seems it’s at centre-back where Phil Parkinson is keen to utilise the loanee.
“I've played there [right of the back three] quite a lot at Wolves in the under-23s and trained there when I was with the first team,” said Sanderson.
"Obviously when I went to Cardiff I was playing as a right-back, so both positions I'm comfortable with.
"It's just gametime that I haven't had for a while, that I was struggling for, and I finally got that today so I'm happy that went well for me.”
Alongside Sanderson at Rochdale were t he experienced Bailey Wright and Tom Flanagan – for whom the youngster had plenty of praise.
Indeed, he was quick to pay tribute to the entire squad for helping make his move to Wearside a simple one.
“They' re class ,” said Sanderson, of the dressing room.
"The boys are so welcoming and I feel like I've known some of them for years.
"It's a good energy, good vibes in the changing room, on the pitch and off the pitch, so I've settled in well.
“They're [Wright & Flanagan] non-stop talking to me and help me a lot.
"Even off the pitch, they help me a lot with all the information they give me.
"It's a pleasure to be with them.”
So after his impressive debut, what comes next for Sanderson?
"I'm here to help the team, the manager and the boys get promotion,” he said.
"That's what we want and that's what we're aiming for. “It's just experience. "For me being a young lad, it's just to play as much as I can.
"I think I made the right decision incoming here and it's a great team, a great bunch of lads and I'm happy to just crack on and do the work.”
There is also a focus on the bigger picture, with Sanderson keen to make his mark at Wolves after penning a new contract prior to his Sunderland switch.
He said: “With every loan that's the objective, just to be playing in the Premier League - especially with Wolves, my home club.
"But for now I'm focusing on doing my work here and doing well for Sunderland and helping them get up.”