There were fears that the campaign could be derailed when Alex Neil left for Stoke City, but Tony Mowbray’s arrival steadied the ship and with his young side he would go on to play some of the best football many supporters can remember. Though they fell short of a shock promotion, their style and resilience convinced many that they are firmly on an upward trajectory.
Here, we tell the tale of how one of the most exciting Sunderland teams in recent history came together, through ten of the most important games in their development. The good, and occasionally the not so good, which all offer some big clues and insight as to what lies ahead for this exciting group next time around…
![Watching Mowbray’s Sunderland has so far been a total joy but there have been some afternoons where they have just perhaps pushed it a little too far, discovering their boundaries.
This was a classic example, as an ambitious midfield two of Dan Neil and Abdoullah Ba were overrun by a Cardiff City side who endured a dismal season but were rewarded here for an aggressive, high-pressing approach.
From here on in Mowbray would use Ba much further forward, almost as an attacking midfielder, and the results were excellent.
Corry Evans was a big miss when he suffered a major injury later in the campaign and one of the interesting themes of the season was watching Neil adapt and eventually thrive in the deeper role. This was a real baptism of fire but it proved to be another learning experience for the impressive young midfielder.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjIwZjEyYmQ0LTI5ZWYtNDJkZi04NWI5LTc3MzEyMzM2ODM5Njo2NmRiNzQ2NC00M2VlLTQ3OTYtOGU1Ni1mODk3MWY5MjdmMGY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. v Cardiff City (H) November 5th, 2022
Watching Mowbray’s Sunderland has so far been a total joy but there have been some afternoons where they have just perhaps pushed it a little too far, discovering their boundaries. This was a classic example, as an ambitious midfield two of Dan Neil and Abdoullah Ba were overrun by a Cardiff City side who endured a dismal season but were rewarded here for an aggressive, high-pressing approach. From here on in Mowbray would use Ba much further forward, almost as an attacking midfielder, and the results were excellent. Corry Evans was a big miss when he suffered a major injury later in the campaign and one of the interesting themes of the season was watching Neil adapt and eventually thrive in the deeper role. This was a real baptism of fire but it proved to be another learning experience for the impressive young midfielder. Photo: Frank Reid
![Amad scored one of the goals of the campaign to seal a crucial win for Sunderland, who had to withstand a late barrage of their box to seal three points.
The game had an extra significance as the last one before the World Cup break. The club’s form had been indifferent without strikers and Ellis Simms’ early goal here was a sign that there could be much better days ahead.
The Black Cats could now go into the break looking up the table rather than over their shoulders and when they came back to beat Millwall after the break, the perception of what the season could be shifted again.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjgxMDVhMWVjLTMzNWMtNDBjYy1iM2JkLTkxNmQyODA5MmRhNDpkZGMyYTA4YS02NWJiLTRhYWItYjU5NS1iNmNiM2M5ZTEzMTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. v Birmingham City (A) November 11th, 2022
Amad scored one of the goals of the campaign to seal a crucial win for Sunderland, who had to withstand a late barrage of their box to seal three points. The game had an extra significance as the last one before the World Cup break. The club’s form had been indifferent without strikers and Ellis Simms’ early goal here was a sign that there could be much better days ahead. The Black Cats could now go into the break looking up the table rather than over their shoulders and when they came back to beat Millwall after the break, the perception of what the season could be shifted again. Photo: Frank Reid
![Sunderland were nothing short of brilliant over the festive period. It may not have been their most free-flowing football, but it was most certainly their most effective as Mowbray finally had the chance to pair Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms.
This was the only brief period in which Amad, Clarke and Roberts were able to bounce off a striker, and the results were emphatic. Simms would be recalled within days, and Sunderland would before long be back to strikerless.
This, though, will surely be the template next season - a dash of physicality to match the technical ability.It was an incredible night for the travelling supporters, and the delight was best summed up by the image of countless Sunderland players stood with hands on head as Amad rifled in a hilariously good late goal to complete the win.
There were strong performances all over the pitch, but it is fair to say that Trai Hume never looked back from this tough-tackling performance that made him an instant cult hero. That he featured in defence with Luke O’Nien felt notable then, in both cases it wouldn’t for long.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjc1MTY3ZGIxLWIzYTgtNGNjMy05MGFjLWI1MTUzZGI5MmEyNToyMWJhNWQ1YS0wNjU3LTQ5ZTItYTdkMy1mNTExMTc3MDQxMzI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. v Wigan Athletic (A) December 29th, 2022
Sunderland were nothing short of brilliant over the festive period. It may not have been their most free-flowing football, but it was most certainly their most effective as Mowbray finally had the chance to pair Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms. This was the only brief period in which Amad, Clarke and Roberts were able to bounce off a striker, and the results were emphatic. Simms would be recalled within days, and Sunderland would before long be back to strikerless. This, though, will surely be the template next season - a dash of physicality to match the technical ability.It was an incredible night for the travelling supporters, and the delight was best summed up by the image of countless Sunderland players stood with hands on head as Amad rifled in a hilariously good late goal to complete the win. There were strong performances all over the pitch, but it is fair to say that Trai Hume never looked back from this tough-tackling performance that made him an instant cult hero. That he featured in defence with Luke O’Nien felt notable then, in both cases it wouldn’t for long. Photo: Ian Horrocks
![It was not a game with a fairytale ending, Chris Rigg’s late winner correctly ruled out for offside.
And it was perhaps the game that ultimately derailed Sunderland’s unlikely promotion bid, with Ross Stewart suffering the achilles injury that keeps him out of action to this day.
There is a reason, though, why staff and players would be referencing this game as a pivotal moment months afterwards.
Fulham did rotate but their side was strong, leaving Sunderland rank outsiders. What followed, in front of a huge away following, was a glorious brawl. Both sides attacked at will, a game of breathtaking pace that swung from end-to-end. Despite the loss of Stewart Sunderland competed every step of the way, with Patrick Roberts particularly irrepressible.
Anthony Patterson had to save well late on (eventually voted the save of the competition) but the Black Cats were more than worthy of their replay. The quality of their football convinced the young group that they could compete with anyone, and that would be the bedrock of their superb away form in the closing months of the campaign. After this, Mowbray’s side feared nobody at Championship level and wins such as the one at West Brom wouldn't have happened without it.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjM2YjY2ZmRkLTUzZDQtNDI2Yy04ODI5LWQ2YjY5NDBhMGMxMjpiYTU1OTNhMS1mZTQ5LTQwY2QtOWExMC1kOWRjNWJiZTBjYWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. v Fulham (A) January, 28th 2023
It was not a game with a fairytale ending, Chris Rigg’s late winner correctly ruled out for offside. And it was perhaps the game that ultimately derailed Sunderland’s unlikely promotion bid, with Ross Stewart suffering the achilles injury that keeps him out of action to this day. There is a reason, though, why staff and players would be referencing this game as a pivotal moment months afterwards. Fulham did rotate but their side was strong, leaving Sunderland rank outsiders. What followed, in front of a huge away following, was a glorious brawl. Both sides attacked at will, a game of breathtaking pace that swung from end-to-end. Despite the loss of Stewart Sunderland competed every step of the way, with Patrick Roberts particularly irrepressible. Anthony Patterson had to save well late on (eventually voted the save of the competition) but the Black Cats were more than worthy of their replay. The quality of their football convinced the young group that they could compete with anyone, and that would be the bedrock of their superb away form in the closing months of the campaign. After this, Mowbray’s side feared nobody at Championship level and wins such as the one at West Brom wouldn't have happened without it. Photo: FRANK REID