Tony Mowbray has recently given an interview with Nick Barnes, speaking all things Sunderland, and even giving his verdict on their chances of promotion.
Sunderland fans had a great relationship with Tony Mowbray who steered the club towards an unexpected top six finish in the 2022/23 Championship season.
The Black Cats fell short in the semi-finals, though. Mowbray started the 2023/24 in steady fashion but with the club in 9th towards the end of 2023, Sunderland sacked Mowbray, eventually finishing in a disappointing 16th place.
Fast-forward to now and Sunderland under Regis Le Bris sit in 1st place of the Championship table. The Frenchman has galvanised the club and has taken the solid foundations laid by Mowbray, and improved the side.
Last time out, Sunderland drew 2-2 with Coventry City in a disappointing afternoon at the Stadium of Light. But there’s still high hopes for the season ahead.
Tony Mowbray warns about Sunderland squad depth in promotion verdict
Speaking to BBC pundit Nick Barnes about Sunderland’s fortunes this season, Mowbray suggested that he thinks this current side can achieve big things, warning of the long season ahead.
Mowbray said, as quoted by Sunderland Echo: “They’re doing amazingly well but obviously it’s a long, long season and the test is in front of them, not behind them, but they’ve done amazing… I would put great faith in that group of players that they can achieve great things because they care about each other, they work hard for each other and I’m looking forward to seeing how this season unfolds really.”
Mowbray then went on to reveal a possible ‘concern’ for Sunderland and Le Bris, which is the squad depth, and potentially injuries settling in.
During his tenure on Wearside, Mowbray’s Sunderland suffered terribly with injuries. He said: “There is a concern, I suppose, about the depth of it all and how many injuries they might pick up at certain positions.”
Sunderland’s current injury list, and when the bulk of players are expected back
Sunderland do seem to have quite bad luck with injuries, especially since their return to the Championship in 2022.
Even now, Sunderland’s injury list is quite big with seven sidelined and three suspended for the Millwall game this weekend.
But speaking earlier in the season, Le Bris said that he expects to have the likes of Ian Poveda, Salis Abdul Samed, and hopefully Ahmed Abdullahi back by January, with Jenson Seelt also expected to return in the New Year.
Three of those names joined in the summer. Speakman did appear to combat the lack of squad depth by adding more bodies to the side and so Le Bris may not suffer as much with squad injuries as Mowbray did.
But it’s a legitimate concern and Speakman may fancy one or two more new signings in January, just to ensure there’s enough quality to rotate in the second half of the campaign.