Phil Smith's review of Sunderland in 2020: The highs, lows and moments we won't forget

In his final column of 2020, Phil Smith reflects on the best and worst of it all...

Best game

2020 began with a spike in performances, peaking with a 4-0 demolition of Wycombe Wanderers that had Gareth Ainsworth's previously high-flying side grasping at air and making subs before the half-time whistle had been blown. The first goal summed up a newly-discovered enterprise. Some superb, quick passing down the right, an overlapping run from centre-back Jordan Willis and an emphatic finish by Denver Hume at the back post.

In these weeks it felt as if a corner had been turned, and was all the more satisfying given some of the bizarre comments that had come out of the Wycombe camp following their win early in the season.

Unfortunately, the freedom and energy that summed up these weeks was not sustained.

Lee Johnson's first win earns an honourable mention, but it's hard to reflect too fondly on a game played without what would have been a buoyant travelling support.

Worst game

Sunderland's final competitive game for six months was an insipid defeat to Bristol Rovers.

Then boss Ben Garner had come into the side essentially admitting that his position was under threat, yet by the end of the contest the home support were chanting his name.

The true consequences wouldn't be known for a while yet, with this game dropping Sunderland's points-per-game ratio below the threshold that would be needed for a play-off campaign.

A (dis)honourable mention also goes to the 3-1 defeat to MK Dons, a game which could be seen as hugely significant in the years to come.

Outplayed by a braver and more attractive side, the alarm bells began ringing behind the scenes and we began to inch towards the total overhaul of the footballing structure of the club.

The Darren Bent relegating Sunderland award for most painfully cliched and obvious narrative of the year

Days before that Bristol Rovers defeat, Sunderland twice surrendered a lead to Gillingham. Mikael Mandron was averaging a goal every six games before the contest, but left with what would prove to be a hugely damaging brace.

To his credit, he has been superb for Crewe Alexandra this season and is going from strength to strength as a League One striker.

Still, zero points for creativity to whoever wrote this particular script.

Lowest moment

The steady drain of talent from the club's academy reached a new low in the summer, with Logan Pye and Joe Hugill joining Manchester United.

Bali Mumba's move to Norwich City then underlined what had been two years of failure from the Madrox regime.

Mumba had been one of the bright hopes when Sunderland were relegated to League One, and it said everything about what had gone wrong on Wearside that he could move from the fringes of a struggling U23 side to a part of Daniel Farke's table-topping Championship outfit.

A stronger U23 side has been encouraging this season but the damage done will take years of investment and commitment to undo.

Most treasured 'limbs' moment of the year

A crucial game, finely poised.

A big, boisterous away following. An academy product takes aim, from distance, on his weaker foot.

You know the rest. The scenes we all ache for.

Goal of the year

Grant Leadbitter's return this season has been one of 2020's best stories to watch, and he capped it with that stunning strike against Doncaster Rovers.

A hit every inch a worthy successor to some of his best Sunderland strikes over the years.

Signing of the year

Sunderland's lack of pace in defence can be a concern when Jordan Willis is not fit but there can be no doubt that the Black Cats are a more resilient, durable outfit with Bailey Wright at the heart of things on and off the pitch.

He has been a very astute addition.

Strangest signing of the year

Tommy Smith was not expected to play much after arriving as emergency cover, but Declan John came with a decent reputation and seemingly a good fit for the 3-4-3 system. He never played a minute.

Worst arbitrary mathematical calculation of the year

This isn't how seasons are supposed to end. Not with glory or despair, but in boardroom discussions and a PPG table.

Sunderland's lowest-ever finish, then, was confirmed with a whimper. Perhaps the worst part of that, though, was that while the PPG method drew controversy, few on Wearside felt the club had anyone but themselves to blame after a wretched campaign.

Their PPG total of 72 might have felt harsh with a favourable fixture list to play, but they were still without doubt going to finish well short of the 100-point target set by the owners.

The Jake Clarke-Salter tackling Adama Traore award for shouldn't laugh but can't really help it moment of the year

Tom Flanagan advanced down the left and with no one making a run in front of him, opted to boot the ball up towards the Premier Concourse under no pressure whatsoever.

Brilliant and surreal, in equal measure.

In fairness, he had a point and when Sunderland have been good this year, Flanagan's ability to bring the ball out and find team-mates in dangerous areas has been key.

Here's to more no-nonsense, and perfect through balls, from Flanagan in 2021.

The Valentin Roberge and Modibo Diakite at Goodison Park 2013 award for most surprisingly successful defensive combination

A back five of Jack Diamond, Conor McLaughlin, Bailey Wright, Luke O'Nien and Lynden Gooch kept a clean sheet to protect a narrow lead at Swindon Town.

All good players; only one of them in a natural position.

Biggest hope for 2021

That at the end of it, we can point to a long-term plan for growth, and a series of positive steps taken by a new owner to actually start realising it.

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