Thrills and spills – reflecting on highs and lows of Cats’ season
we can look at. Jack Clarke’s goal against Reading, Jewison Bennette’s equaliser away at Watford, the win over Middlesbrough, beating Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day, coming from behind against West Brom, the final day of the regular season and securing a top-six spot.
“I think it really is testament to the hard work that has gone into this season.”
JN: “In terms of results, the 5-1 defeat against Stoke City has to be the biggest lowlight as Alex Neil returned to the Stadium of Light.
“Still, Sunderland reacted extremely well to that loss and were only beaten once (by Sheffield United) in their final 11 league games before the play-offs.
“For me, the biggest frustration for Sunderland is that we didn’t get to see more of Ross Stewart in the side.
“The striker only started four league games alongside Amad Diallo - which included that impressive win over Middlesbrough.
“A front four of Stewart, Amad, Patrick Roberts and Clarke would have been a real handful for any Championship team.”
JC: “For me, it has to be
Ross Stewart’s second injury. Who knows where Sunderland could have finished with a fully-fit Stewart in their side?
“Ellis Simms’ recall to parent club Everton in January was also a serious blow and lowlight.”
JN: “Clarke’s goal against Reading is the obvious one, yet I didn’t realise just how good it was at the time after missing the start of the move while typing on my laptop.
“While there were plenty to choose from, the goal which stands out for me was Amad’s excellent strike at Preston, which started an emphatic 11-minute spell which saw the side score three times and secure a play-off place.
JC: “I have to give it to Clarke at Reading but there are multiple contenders. Patrick Roberts’ equaliser against Watford for one. That was such a great moment of quality which ended up being really important.”
JN: “Up until a few weeks before the end of the season I would have said Danny Batth, who was an ever-present at the back.
“Yet I’d marginally go with Clarke, given that he started 46 of Sunderland’s 48 league games (including play-offs), registering 11 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.
JC: “Amad has lit up Sunderland’s season but Jack Clarke deserves immense credit for reaching 24 goal contributions in all competitions. Big shout out to Danny Batth as well, an absolute rock at the back.”
JN: “After his excellent performances against Preston and Luton at the end of the season, it looks like Pierre Ekwah has all the attributes to become a key player for Sunderland during the 2023/24 campaign.
“I’d also like to see more of Isaac Lihadji, who looked very bright when playing for the under-21s side, but didn’t really get a chance for the first team.”
JC: “Ekwah. I think the former West Ham United man is going to become a top, top player and I’m very much looking forward to watching his development next season. He’s such a classy player.”
JN: “Excellent. Mowbray not only stabilised the club following Alex Neil’s abrupt exit in August but also took them to the next level.
“Given all the injuries and a lack of striker options for most of the campaign, Mowbray did remarkably well to adapt, keep spirits high and earn an unlikely play-off place.
JC: “Couldn’t have asked for more given the injury problems he has had to contend with. He deserves huge credit for cajoling this young group to sixth position and instilling such a brilliant neversay-die attitude.”
JN: “While Sunderland exceeded expectations during their first season back in the Championship, they will now be expected to kick on.
“I think the aim should be to finish in the play-offs again, considering they’ve just finished sixth with a young squad which should improve.
“The division could be much stronger next season though, with Southampton, Leeds United and Leicester City coming down from the Premier League.”
JC: “I think the goal should be to finish in the top six again, which won’t be easy.
“The teams coming down from the Premier League will have big resources but it is a little too early to tell how they will do. On paper, though, it is looking like a highly competitive division.”