'So strong, so physical' - What rival Premier League bosses have said about Sunderland this season
The latest Sunderland news, via Robbie Fenwick.
Ahead of Sunderland’s 1-0 win at Leeds United on Tuesday evening, Leeds boss Daniel Farke said the Black Cats were doing a ‘fantastic job’ this season.
The result takes Regis Le Bris’ side to the magic 40-point mark and within reach of the European places. Here we take a look at what some of Sunderland’s rivals have said about Regis Le Bris and his Sunderland side this season.
Arsenal - Mikel Arteta
League leaders Arsenal beat Sunderland 3-0 in February after the Black Cats had done well to frustrate the Gunners until Martin Zubimendi broke the deadlock just before half time.
Arteta was impressed with Le Bris’ side: “They're really good at what they do, really good at breaking play, playing to the last line, breaking your press, holding the ball, and it's very difficult to get sequences with threat and momentum consecutively,” he said.
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Manchester City - Pep Guardiola
Guardiola is recognised as one of the best managers in the game and he was impressed with Sunderland when they held City to a 0-0 draw at the start of January.
Speaking after the game he said: “Sunderland are really good, they are so strong, so physical. It’s a tough place to come. In the first half we struggled against their pressing.” The Black Cats' form at the Stadium of Light has been a crucial part of their impressive return to the top flight - only Manchester City and Arsenal have lost fewer games at home in the Premier League this season.
Brentford - Keith Andrews
Sunderland’s second win back in the top flight came in dramatic fashion when Wilson Isidor scored a 96th minute winner to beat Brentford 2-1 and Andrews was keen to praise the Stadium of Light’s atmosphere before the game.
“I can't wait for it. It's a traditional ground and, with the journey they've been on as a football club, having dipped down one or two divisions at times, they have a fanbase that is clearly so passionate and engaged,” he said. He added: “I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere and I know our players will feed off that.”
Everton - David Moyes
Everton visited Wearside in early November as Granit Xhaka scored a second-half equaliser to earn the Black Cats a point. Moyes was full of praise for Sunderland before the game in what was his first time back at the club since his departure in 2017.
He said: “Their performance all season has been really good and a lot of people have been surprised by it. They have a great crowd behind them and are really strong at home.” “We are in a city with a really good club in Liverpool and Sunderland have always had to compete with Newcastle. Hopefully, Sunderland will challenge Newcastle and we can challenge Liverpool as well,” he added.
Crystal Palace - Oliver Glasner
Back in September, Le Bris’ Black Cats drew 0-0 at Selhurst Park and Glasner was keen to praise Sunderland’s summer signings: “I was very impressed. I think all the promoted teams look very competitive this season. Sunderland had quite a busy transfer window - signing players not just for big money, but also high-quality players.
“There’s a good mixture between young players on their upside and also very experienced players like Xhaka, and Nordi Mukiele, who played for PSG, or Alderete - I know all three from the German Bundesliga.”
However, Sunderland’s 2-1 win over Palace in January sparked an extraordinary meltdown from Austrian boss Glasner.
He said: “A difficult result, difficult for me to accept. Not because of the performance, the players tried everything until the end. They're leaving their heart on the pitch. But we feel that we are being abandoned completely. Selling our captain one day before a Premier League game.”
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