Neil has now taken 19 points from his ten games, marking his progress from taking over a side who had lost three games on the bounce and looked to be heading out of the promotion reckoning.
Key to his progress has been a significantly improved defensive record, while he is now beginning to benefit from more depth in attacking areas as players either return from injury or edge towards something close to full match fitness.
There is much work still to be done but the Black Cats are in a far stronger position now than when Neil arrived.
So how has each player fared so far and who have been his key and most trusted performers?
We calculated every player’s average from our weekly player ratings to find out…
There is much work still to be done but the Black Cats are in a far stronger position now than when Neil arrived.
![Appearances: 3
Rating: 6
His header against Gillingham could be one of the most important moments of the season. Has a massive part to play, even if he is still finding sharpness after a long spell out.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjg3MDUwZTU1LWMxMzgtNDdhOS1iYTc1LTIyMThiZGIwNTgyNTpmYmRiM2IwZC1lMzZjLTQ4YmQtODU0Yi1hMDhkYjU4Y2MwNmU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
13. NATHAN BROADHEAD
Appearances: 3 Rating: 6 His header against Gillingham could be one of the most important moments of the season. Has a massive part to play, even if he is still finding sharpness after a long spell out. Photo: FRANK REID 2022
![Appearances: 10
Rating: 5.8
His goalscoring form has not quite been as strong but his all-round game remains impressive and utterly crucial to Sunderland’s hopes of winning promotion.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjE3ZDkyNWZkLTdlMDItNDhiNy05YTdmLTBhMjI4ODA2MTc2NDpiNTQ3OWYyZi1kZmM4LTRlNTctOTVkNS1mOWExZmRmZjczMjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
14. ROSS STEWART
Appearances: 10 Rating: 5.8 His goalscoring form has not quite been as strong but his all-round game remains impressive and utterly crucial to Sunderland’s hopes of winning promotion. Photo: FRANK REID PHOTOGRAPHER 2022
![Appearances: 10
Rating: 6
Has looked lively and made some key attacking contributions early on in Neil’s tenure. Has made a decent go of a very unfamiliar wing-back role.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjI5NDQzOWE5LThiMzYtNDdhOS1hMjI4LTM3MDc0ZmRiZTc4YjphNWI0MGRhNi0wOGEzLTQ1NjgtYWZjMy05ZGNiMTdlN2UyYmQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
15. JACK CLARKE
Appearances: 10 Rating: 6 Has looked lively and made some key attacking contributions early on in Neil’s tenure. Has made a decent go of a very unfamiliar wing-back role. Photo: FRANK REID 2022
![Appearances: 3
Rating: 6.6
Made an outstanding return from injury in two tough away games, but Neil has generally favoured more pace in his backline for the most part. Batth’s return has increased competition for places considerably but proved he can be trusted.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjBiY2I4Njc5LTdlNjItNGM4Ni1iOWM3LTA3Mjk3YjI0ZWEyMTo3ZWUwNjEyNy0xZTAxLTRhYzQtOWUwMy05MjdkOTYzZTNmNDc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
16. ARBENIT XHEMAJLI
Appearances: 3 Rating: 6.6 Made an outstanding return from injury in two tough away games, but Neil has generally favoured more pace in his backline for the most part. Batth’s return has increased competition for places considerably but proved he can be trusted. Photo: Frank Reid