Chris Mepham is earning huge praise from Sunderland fans right now. But the Welshman hasn’t always had it so good in the Championship.
Chris Mepham may have thought that he’d be in store for a back-up role at Sunderland under Regis Le Bris this season, given the strength of competition in the Black Cats’ defence.
And the Bournemouth loan man may not have expected to play so much football by the end of October. But Mepham has now played seven games in the Championship, impressing in every single one of them.
For the 2-1 win at Luton Town, Danny Collins named Mepham as Sunderland’s Man of the Match on the night. Collins also named Mepham Man of the Match for Sunderland’s 1-0 win at Hull City.
There’s already fears growing over a possible Bournemouth recall for Mepham in January, though the January transfer window remains a while away yet.
Chris Mepham’s Bournemouth struggles during 2020/21 season
Bournemouth paid Brentford a reported £12million for Mepham in January 2019, handing the 47-cap Welshman a four-and-a-half year deal.
Mepham’s second full season with the Cherries, the 2020/21 season in the Championship, proved to be a tough one for the 26-year-old.
Bournemouth were previously relegated and expected to make an immediate return. Mepham though was targeted for social media criticism throughout the campaign, peaking in the May when he received a red card in the play-off semi-finals against Brentford.
The Cherries won the first leg and were drawing 1-1 in the second leg away at Brentford. But Mepham was sent off in the 28th minute, with Brentford going on to score twice and win the game 3-2 on aggregate.
Mepham was targeted for widespread abuse on social media after the game. Then Bournemouth boss Jonathan Woodgate said in the press:
Woodgate said: “Obviously Meps [Mepham] is absolutely devastated in the changing room after the game and we’ve got to get behind him.”
He added: “Listen, it’s been difficult for him. I’m not going to come in and say anything nastily about him. We’re all human and we make mistakes.”
But earlier that season, Woodgate was forced to speak out on the abuse being aimed at Mepham on social media.
He told The League Paper in February 2021, after Mepham was at fault for a goal: “I spoke to Meps a couple of times because I know he is the type of lad who really cares.
“He is not the player to make a mistake and get on with it, it sticks with him. The criticism he has received is absolutely disgraceful.”
Speaking in 2022, Mepham spoke out about his Bournemouth hardships after signing a contract extension with the club which you can read here.
- READ MORE: Kristjaan Speakman can pull off ‘deal of the century’, it would only cost Sunderland £3.5m
Regis Le Bris knows how important Chris Mepham is for Sunderland
To see that Bournemouth fans were so critical of Mepham just a few years ago, to now seeing him flourish at Sunderland, shows the journey that he’s been on.
His time spent in the Premier League has no doubt worked wonders for his ability, with his performances for Sunderland certainly being that of a Premier League-quality player.
He’s much more experienced nowadays as well. Going through such tough times in the past has clearly made him a strong person and player, and Le Bris knows how important Mepham is for Sunderland right now.
Speaking about the centre-back earlier in October, Le Bris said: “It’s certainly not difficult to manage this type of player [like Mepham].
“He plays for the team, he has very good experience and is very important in the dressing room and on the pitch, individually and with the others.
“It is like a gift for a coach and a team like us. His maturity is very helpful for us.”
Sunderland return to Championship action with a trip to 23rd place QPR on Saturday at 3pm.