One Sunderland ace’s performances in the last two games has highlighted one brilliant thing in the side.
The Black Cats notched yet another clean sheet at the weekend, however they were unable to bag a win against Queens Park Rangers after it ended 0-0.
Regis Le Bris’ side were certainly damaged in the attacking sense by Jobe Bellingham’s dismissal, which is not set to be appealed by Sunderland, and the likes of Wilson Isidor weren’t quite up to scratch.
However, defensively Sunderland were once again top notch, and despite the injury recently sustained by Anthony Patterson, Simon Moore has slotted in brilliantly and is set to yet again play against Preston North End.
The shot-stopper’s first two appearances for Sunderland in the Championship have highlighted a massive strength of the current side under Le Bris, and the Frenchman is certainly one to thank for it.
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Simon Moore stats for Sunderland show defensive capabilities of the side
After the injury sustained by Patterson, fans weren’t sure that Moore would be able to live up to the lofty expectations set by the Sunderland No1, but it has simply been a breeze for the back-up shot-stopper to do so.
Although Sunderland have played slightly easier opposition in the last two games against Oxford United and Queens Park Rangers, Sunderland have still had to be defensively resolute, and that has been more than the case when looking at Moore’s stats for his opening games.
In his opening two games, per SofaScore, Moore has had to make just five saves in total, and his main role up until this point has been building up the play from the back, with an average of 36 touches per game, accumulating a 91% passing accuracy in his own half.
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Regis Le Bris has created a brilliant defensive set up
The Black Cats’ defensive options have simply been nothing short of excellent up until this point of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, and it is safe to say that Le Bris has moulded a brilliant backline.
Chris Mepham has been Sunderland’s shining light at centre-back alongside Luke O’Nien, whilst Dennis Cirkin has run out as the best player statistically in the Championship so far.
Even with the injury of Dan Ballard, who looks set to return against Coventry City, Sunderland’s mojo hasn’t been disrupted once, and there have been very few games in which they haven’t looked defensively sound, and Le Bris has done brilliantly well to set up a formation that balances the attack, whilst ensuring the are safe at the back as well.