Sunderland have certainly hit something of a snag in the Championship, with Regis Le Bris’ side slumping to a 3-0 defeat before the international break.
The 2024/25 season for Sunderland remains a wholly positive one, but perhaps one of two halves. Sunderland were blistering in the first half of the campaign but since the turn of the year have suffered their first home league defeat of the season, their first back-to-back defeats, and their heaviest defeat too.
Last time out, Coventry City beat Sunderland 3-0 to deal the Black Cats their biggest defeat of the season and of the Regis Le Bris era to date. It was a result and a performance that highlighted the fact that Sunderland are not yet in the play-offs, and that they might yet struggle should they make it.
The Black Cats remain in 4th place of the Championship table and have a 12 point cushion within the top six. But with eight games left to play, 24 points in all, there’s still time for Sunderland to bottle a play-off spot, and recent form would suggest that is certainly possible.
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus ‘not overly’ concerned about Sunderland’s recent form
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman went through an arduous manger search last year, going four months without a permanent boss at the Stadium of Light before Le Bris was appointed in June. And it’s proved a great appointment on the whole.
Despite a dip in form, Louis-Dreyfus and those behind the scene at Sunderland remain impressed with Le Bris, undeterred by the recent dip in form. Speaking to Sunderland AFC News, expert Graeme Bailey explained how the Sunderland officials are feeling right now.
He said when asked if there’s any concerns among the hierarchy: “Not overly, they have known it was play-offs for them for a while – it gives them a chance to get things right before the get into the latter stages. It’s about seeing the positives. Obviously they will want to rediscover their form in the coming weeks but they don’t see that as a huge issue.”
Sunderland’s current position compared to last season
Last season, Sunderland finished in 16th and just six points above the drop zone. Their 38th game of the 2023/24 campaign was a 0-0 draw with QPR which actually halted a run of six-straight defeats. That point left Sunderland in 12th and on 48 points.
This time round, Sunderland are 11 points better off at this stage of the season. They’re comfortably in the play-offs and Le Bris has helped the team’s valuable player assets come on leaps and bounds this season, with Louis-Dreyfus boasting a team full of some potentially very expensive players.
Everything remains on track for Sunderland, even if form has tailed off. This two week break could do Sunderland a world of good ahead of the run in.