Sunderland have enjoyed a quite unprecedented start to the new campaign.
Few had high hopes for Sunderland going into this 2024/25 Championship season.
Sunderland appointed Regis Le Bris in the June and the inexperienced Frenchman began the season without a striker signing.
For most fans, a comfortable mid-table finish may have been deemed a success this season.
But Le Bris has completely transformed expectations at the Stadium of Light this season, following a perfect start to the campaign.
Sunderland have won three from three and are yet to concede a goal in the league.
The Black Cats currently sit in 1st place of the table after a 1-0 win vs Burnley last time out.
And that win came following Jack Clarke’s move to Ipswich Town, with Romaine Mundle getting the only goal and suggesting to fans that Clarke’s exit may not be doom and gloom.
But EFL pundit Ryan Dilks believes one other aspect of Sunderland’s start to the season is quite ‘astonishing’.
Sunderland defensive record without Dan Ballard this season
Sunderland are yet to concede a goal, and their expected goals against is the lowest of any Championship team right now.
Discussing the start to the season, EFL pundit Dilks said on the Second Tier Podcast: “There’s a lot of talent in that side, even when you take out someone as good as Jack Clarke.”
Dilks added: “Yet to concede a goal, lowest xG in the league [goals against].
“Another player they’ve missed so far is Dan Ballard, who’s one of the best centre-backs in the league.
“That’s astonishing. It’s been an amazing start an the optimism levels at Sunderland have been completely turned on their heads.”
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Sunderland have become impenetrable under Regis Le Bris
Last season, even during Michael Beale and then Mike Dodds‘ times in charge, Sunderland proved quite resolute at the back.
But they couldn’t find a way to get Sunderland scoring at the other end of the pitch, whereas Le Bris has, and he’s also made Sunderland even more watertight.
Le Bris has found a way of pressing teams high up the pitch but without over-exposing themselves at the back.
And like Dilks suggests, Sunderland still have Ballard to return from injury, and the likes of Niall Huggins and Jenson Seelt too, so Sunderland could become even more of defensive force in the coming weeks and months.
If Sunderland can maintain their current form then they’ll surely become the favourites for promotion sooner or later.