Phil Smith's verdict: Inside Sunderland's resilient win and why it might have been their best of the season yet

Behind closed doors, there are sounds you lose and sounds you gain.
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A sound you gain:

The full-time whistle goes and the eerie quiet of the County Gound is pierced by high fives, fist bumps, 'get in there lads' and 'come on lads', maybe with one or two extra words thrown in for good measure.

Sunderland's coaching staff lined up one-by-one alongside the dug-out to salute each player on their way down the tunnel, marking a win that was not spectacular but spoke volumes nevertheless.

Charlie Wyke tracks back during Sunderland's win at Swindon TownCharlie Wyke tracks back during Sunderland's win at Swindon Town
Charlie Wyke tracks back during Sunderland's win at Swindon Town
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Sunderland's players revelled in a job well done. Second balls won all over the pitch, every blade of grass covered.

A sound you lose:

Sunderland would have had thousands here, a first trip to Swindon since 1998, Kevin Phillips wearing gold and scoring glorious volleys.

That familiar full-time roar would have particularly loud, not just because Sunderland won because of how they won.

This was a win built on the back of endeavour and running, amid a raft of defensive injuries that could easily have seen Phil Parkinson's well-drilled system unravel.

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Which isn't to say it was a win without quality, for in moments in undoubtedly was.

The cross from Lynden Gooch to set up Charlie Wyke was superb, on what is supposed to be the American's weaker foot. The finish from Wyke was equally impressive, even if Swindon's defending was passive in the extreme.

For the second, the pass from Max Power to spring Chris Maguire was quite outstanding, opening up what had previously been a tightly-congested pitch.

What was most striking about this Sunderland win, though, was the industry.

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Swindon Town came into the game with injury problems but they are a side with a formidable home record and a regular habit of scoring goals.

Right from the opening exchanges, it was clear that they would differ from most League One sides in attempting to play out from the back no matter what the circumstances.

There was encouragement, too, in the way they were able to quickly open up space with one or two early moves.

Sunderland, though, were able to take control even if for the most part, clear-cut openings in front of goal were few and far between. That they were able to do so was a consequence of relentless pressing that barely let up from minute one to 90.

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Parkinson's starting XI looked to be lacking in width, particularly in the absence of Denver Hume due to injury, but that was more compensated for with the energy that Max Power and Josh Scowen produced.

With Chris Maguire industrious and Grant Leadbitter offering typical control in front of the defence, Swindon found themselves struggling for options on the ball.

That they were struggling to build possession was reflected in the fact that they made two changes at the break.

With that came a lift in tempo and also in quality.

Sunderland fans are familiar with Jack Payne, a talented attacking midfielder who has caused them problems representing both Bradford City and Lincoln City in recent times.

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A peripheral figure in the second half, the way he regularly stepped onto possession and drove forward in the second was a sign of the shifting momentum.

There was an irony in the fact that Sunderland's second goal came as they faced arguably their first real spell of pressure from an opponent since the opening exchanges of their narrow in over Peterborough United.

Swindon were adamant that they should have had a penalty in the opening stages of the second half; Payne seemingly breaking past Luke O'Nien in the box before being brought down.

It would have been harsh, and yet you also have to say that you have seen them given.

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After Maguire's confident penalty, though, Sunderland had control.

Manager Richie Wellens was visibly exasperated in the final 20 minutes after a succession of passes were played straight into the feet of waiting Sunderland players.

Watching on from the stands, it was hard not to think that was a consequence of exhaustion as much as anything else, the visitor's pressing game forcing more and more errors as the clock wound down.

Without doubt, Sunderland had to ride out the storm at the beginning of the second half, but this was to be expected.

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After all, you would have been given long odds at the start of the campaign if you were to suggest Parkinson's back five in the fifth game would read: Diamond; McLaughlin, Wright, O'Nien, Gooch.

Only one of those players could be said to be playing in their natural position and yet Lee Burge was not truly called into action until stoppage time.

McLaughin overcame a sluggish start to produce a solid display on the right of the back three. O'Nien continued to show his intelligence on the left and Gooch was one of the game's best performers.

Diamond, meanwhile, showed he is learning his trade with a less explosive but more polished performance in the wing-back role.

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The injury to Willis was without question the most concerning element of a broadly positive afternoon for the Black Cats, one that made the arrival of Dion Sanderson on deadline day all the more reassuring.

These are still early days in the season and Sunderland are one of a number of teams setting a good pace.

Questions on the overall quality of their game, as well as their top-two credentials, will persist for a while yet.

What this afternoon underlined though, is that it will be a rare day this season when they are outrun and outfought by their opponent.

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With an impressive defensive structure to match, it's a quality that could take them far.

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