The Black Cats made an excellent start to the campaign but two severe dips in form either side of a promising festive period left their promotion hopes in significant doubt heading into the final weeks of the campaign.
But under Alex Neil the team’s defensive deficiencies were addressed impressively, and they went on to produce one of the most memorable weekends in the club’s modern history.
Sunderland’s squad changed considerably through both transfer windows, with significant changes by the time the club arrived at Wembley last weekend.
With that in mind, we’ve graded every senior player to make a significant number of league or Carabao Cup appearances to track the story of the campaign, and also to get a sense of who might have a big role to play in the next stage of the club’s development.
Sunderland’s squad changed considerably through both transfer windows, with significant changes by the time the club arrived at Wembley last weekend.
5. DANNY BATTH
An outstanding debut gave way to a frustration period where an ankle injury kept him on the sidelines. What a contribution he made in the final weeks, though, his calm and dominance in the air going a long way to addressing the soft underbelly that so often let Sunderland down in League One. B+ Photo: FRANK REID PHOTOGRAPHER 2022
6. CALLUM DOYLE
Given that he was expected to gradually build his way up to first-team involvement, promotion and 44 appearances represents an excellent return for a first loan and a player so young. Technically excellent, and will have learned so much about the art of defending in senior football. B Photo: FRANK REID 2021
7. BAILEY WRIGHT
His partnership with Batt ultimately brought the kind of solidity and resilience that built the platform for Sunderland’s long-awaited promotion, and before then he had marshalled the unusual back three with Winchester and Cirkin superbly. A real leader off the pitch, too. A- Photo: FRANK REID 2020
8. TOM FLANAGAN
Flanagan was a hugely important part of the excellent early season form that put Sunderland in the top-two race. Midwinter was much tougher as it was for many in his squad, and though his exit six months from the end of his deal was not a major surprise, the lack of replacement was. B- Photo: FRANK REID 2020