The Premier League table makes interesting reading right now, with a number of surprise packages flying high, and one Sunderland icon has compared an in-form team to one of the best Black Cats’ sides of the past.
We all know how unpredictable the Championship is, where any team can beat anyone on their day, and the form book usually counts for very little.
Sunderland have found that out of late, with points dropped against the likes of Bristol City, Coventry City, and Derby County.
The Premier League is much the same at the moment, with Nottingham Forest right up there challenging at the top of the table, and their recent performances have been reminiscent of the great Sunderland side around the turn of the millennium.
Don Hutchison compares Nottingham Forest success to iconic Sunderland side
Speaking to Sky Sports, Don Hutchison, who was part of Peter Reid’s successful Sunderland squad in the early 2000s, claimed Nottingham Forest have been picking up results away from home that show the kind of resilience his team once had.
In particular, Hutchison commented on Forest’s incredible 3-2 win at Old Trafford last weekend, praising the spirit Nuno Espirito Santo’s team showed.
Hutchison said: “I played for Peter Reid and we went away from home and beat everyone. Beat Chelsea 4-2, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United; we just had that sort of resilience where we fancied ourselves.
“That is a feeling I get when I watch Nuno’s Forest team. The result gives them big confidence, and they know they can change tactics. It’s a great win for them.”
It’s worth noting, Hutchison said he played for Peter Reid in 1999, but he actually signed for Sunderland in 2000 in a deal worth £2.5m. He would leave a year later to join West Ham for double that.
Regis Le Bris’ side need to find that resilient mentality away from home
That resilience is one thing Sunderland are really lacking this season, as evidenced by their struggle to win in that period of five straight draws and a defeat recently.
Regis Le Bris has a very young squad, and as exciting as the players are, they lack a certain mental edge to get gritty and grind results out sometimes.
Of all their away games this season, Sunderland have only managed to beat Hull City, Luton Town, and Portsmouth, all of whom are battling it out near the bottom end of the Championship table.
Le Bris has told his team they need to improve in many areas going forward, but perhaps all he really needs to do is show them some clips of that legendary Sunderland side of old.