Sub-Editor +
#SAFC
writer @ Reach PLC on four titles • detailed
#SAFC
analysis + tactics threads🧵• writing about my journalism journey to help others ⬇️ ✍🏻
🧵- Sunderland have signed striker Aaron Connolly on an one-year deal ⤵️
⚪️ Player profile + stats
🔴 Goals analysis
⚪️ Why
#SAFC
wanted Connolly
🔴 Positives and negatives of deal
⚪️ My thoughts on move
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 #𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭…
(Thread)
#SAFC
🧵⤵️
Possibly my favourite moment of the
#SAFC
and ‘
#barclaysman
’ era
The move, finish and celebrations are simply incredible vibes. What a time to be alive 😢
#SAFC
If you ever needed another reason as to why Carlo Ancelotti is one of the best of all time - check out this short clip of Real Madrid manager name-dropping Jobe Bellingham last season in Jude’s documentary ⤵️
Sunderland are massive, Don Carlo knows it 😎
#SAFC
Patrick Roberts has been absolutely ridiculous today - everything he’s done has been golden
He looks revitalised under Regis Le Bris - not many better right wingers in this league when he’s on form.
Dynamic, direct and impossible to defend. Work rate phenomenal too.
#SAFC
Doesn’t this clip just sum up this season so far?
Rigg absolutely smashing midfielder in a 50/50, two quick passes, and a goal. ⤵️
Average of the 3 involved in that goal (Rigg, Mayenda, Mundle) = 19.
RLB cooking something special
#SAFC
Jobe hasn’t even got out of second gear yet this season - and has been absolutely immense so far.
Brilliant ball-winning and carrying, playing it well and getting stuck into every duel.
Gone under the radar slightly I think how well he is playing this season so far
#SAFC
Has potential one of the best strikers we’ve seen at the SOL
- makes fantastic runs, quality finisher, physical presence and links-up the play well 👏🏻
Proper centre-forward and clearly loves being at the club - fantastic bit of business is the deal for Wilson Isidor
#SAFC
Regis Le Bris admits to Sky Sports that Sunderland’s early defensive shape (5 back) “wasn’t the best”
- love how he takes responsibility when things aren’t going the way we want in the match and always looking to rectify and improve things in-game
Proper good coach 🇫🇷
#SAFC
Regis Le Bris 🇫🇷 - mega thread report on likely next Sunderland manager 🧵⚽️
🔴Record as a coach
⚪️Tactical analysis of his FC Lorient
🔴Predicted
#SAFC
line-up
⚪️How
#SAFC
will play under him
RT’s appreciated!
#SAFC
|
#RegisLeBris
|
#FCLorient
🧵⤵️
Chris Rigg will obviously get a lot of the plaudits - and rightly so - but I thought Chris Mepham was absolutely brilliant
- can tell he’s played 60+ games in the Premier League, proper Rolls Royce centre-half.
Utter class
#SAFC
O’Nien is the litmus test for people who actually get and watch
#SAFC
play with no negative bias
Gives 100% every game, recovery speed and physicality is exceptional, positional sense as CB improving and one of best CB passers in the league ⤵️
How can you not love him?
#SAFC
I think we need to have a talk about how FUCKING OUTRAGEOUS this ball is. That’s on his left foot with a player a yard away from him. Luke O’Nien is a quality player and I won’t have anyone tell me any different.
#SAFC
Managed to bag myself an autograph from a certain future England and Premier League midfield dynamo
Pays to have a girlfriend who works at Sunderland Starbucks 🤣
My no.7 ✨
#SAFC
🧵- Zenit forward Wilson Isidor “is on his way to Sunderland,”- says Zenit St Petersburg Club Chairman 👀
[thread]
🔴French youth international 🇫🇷
⚪️Player profile
🔴Goals analysis
⚪️Why
#SAFC
have got him
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 #𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭…
#SAFC
🧵⤵️
🧵- Sunderland 4 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞 ⤵️
My thoughts after
#SAFC
Röhl-ed over the Owls in Regis Le Bris’ first game in charge at the SOL
🔴Key moments
⚪️Key stats
🔴Player ratings
⚪️Talking points + verdict 👀
(thread)
#SAFC
|
#Owls
#SWFC
🧵⤵️
🧵- Low-down on Sunderland’s new “pretty great” loan signing Salis Abdul Samed ⤵️
Pleasure to get insight on new
#SAFC
man from French football expert Baptiste Reynaud
@LeClassiquePod
🎙️
🔴Career history
⚪️Last season
🔴Style of play
⚪️Verdict
#SAFC
Thread + Interview 🧵⤵️
Can take or leave Aouchiche and Ba personally at the minute - but I really hope that Ekwah stays in this team
On his day he’s absolutely immense and has got a massive future in the game.
Dip in form and injuries have made people forget just how gifted he is imo.
#SAFC
I didn’t really think a talent like Simic would be in
#SAFC
’s grasp financially but I certainly hope so;
• 33 goals in 80 games at only 20 y/o
- one of which in the Champions League
• 6’3”
• Croatian youth international
A massive prospect 👀⤵️
#SAFC
It is so on.
#SAFC
"Roko Simic was not there because he is in talks with other clubs," a RB Salzburg spokesman explained on Thursday.
The "Salzburger Nachrichten" can confirm information from Croatian media that Simic is close to moving to Sunderland.
🧵- Low-down on Sunderland’s new £3.2m Serbian midfielder Milan Aleksic ⤵️
Interesting from football scout, journalist and creator of Aleksic scouting report
@MichalWJK
on his;
🔴 Playstyle
⚪️ Best qualities
🔴 Position he’ll play.. + more
(thread + interview) 🧵⤵️
#SAFC
🧵- Portsmouth 1 - 3 Sunderland -
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞 ⤵️
Analysis as
#SAFC
pump Pompey to make it 4 wins in the opening 4 and stay top of the Championship table
🔴Key moments + stats
⚪️Player ratings
🔴Talking points
⚪️The verdict 👀
[thread]
#SAFC
|
#Pompey
🧵⤵️
Blessed to have seen him play live at the Stadium of Light
Type of player who makes you get off your seat and does things that makes your jaw drop - such a special talent man
United don’t know how lucky they are
#SAFC
Think it’s gone under the radar that Brighton - one of best talent identifiers in world - had a £2m bid knocked back for Watson
Lad is absolutely quality - one for the today and future - hope
#SAFC
can keep hold of him.
Going to the top ⤵️
#SAFC
Will Still 🏴🇧🇪 - mega thread report on likely the next
#SAFC
manager. 🧵
🔴History in the game
⚪️Style would suit
#SAFC
perfectly
🔴Predicted line-up
⚪️Tactical analysis
#SAFC
|
#WillStill
👀⤵️
Sunderland heavily linked with ex-Preston midfielder Alan Browne as per
@Phil__Smith
+
@Capt_Fishpaste
🔴300+ Championship games
⚪️
#PNE
player of year 2023-24
🔴Position under Le Bris
⚪️Goals analysis
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭? 🧵⤵️
🧵 - Sunderland goal analysis from season so far ⚽️
#SAFC
have scored joint-most goals in the Championship under Regis Le Bris🇫🇷
- going to analyse all 10 so far and the reasons behind how Le Bris has made
#SAFC
such a goal threat compared to last season
(Thread) 🧵⤵️
#SAFC
Aaron Connolly off the mark for Sunderland in his debut for the under-21s with a gorgeous deft finish past the keeper👌🏻
Positive signs already with free agent signing
Personally - my optimism is continuing to grow about what he can contribute
#SAFC
Triantis absolutely smashing a tackle in against Rangers today
Some calling for this to be a red - that’s not even a foul in my eyes?
Think he has a proper bright future as a 6 just needs to be a consistent performer and keep developing
#SAFC
And a special shout-out to the 12th player today -
@ThisIsWearside
👏🏻
Displays, getting the SOL crowd unified and buzzing set the tone for a brilliant team performance
Bravo - and can’t wait to see what future displays TIW have in store. Fantastic addition to match day
#SAFC
Although Chris Rigg has been immense so far this season - I think for tonight I’d like to see Alan Browne start instead
Think against a top side Browne can solidify the midfield a bit more - also easy to forget Rigg is young and game time needs managing
Thoughts?
#SAFC
Think all Sunderland fans will agree this is brilliant too see.
Mogga will always be much-loved on Wearside - what a bloke and amazing to see him recovering well.
#SAFC
Look at the reaction and connection between the players and the fans here man
Feels like something special is happening when you have ridiculous and unpredictable things like last night going your way in a title race
A team to be proud of
#SAFC
How will Regis Le Bris want his Sunderland players to play? - FC Lorient +
#SAFC
player analysis and comparison 🧵
Le Bris was crucial in developing players who were sold for €20 million plus fees - who shone under his system
Who will his key men for
#SAFC
be?
Analysis ⤵️🧵
#SAFC
recruitment mega thread🧵
Have compiled a list of realistic transfers
#SAFC
should be looking, in a number of different positions. Have factored in potential outgoings, the recruitment failings of last summer and current squad into thinking regards the recruitment 🔴⚪️⤵️
Niall Huggins is a quality and versatile player with even more potential to develop when fully fit
Really hope he rediscovers his form from last season once he’s over this injury as he’s a solid full-back at this level
Run this back ⏳⬇️
#SAFC
Sunderland AFC is pleased to announce that Niall Huggins has signed a contract extension.
The 23-year-old has extended his stay on Wearside until summer 2026, with a Club option of a further year also included ✍️
🧵- Sunderland 1 - 0 Burnley -
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞 ⤵️
My thoughts as
#SAFC
living in Mundle-land at top of Championship thanks to strong win over Burnley
🔴Key moments + stats
⚪️Player ratings
🔴Talking points
⚪️The verdict 👀
[thread]
#SAFC
|
#twitterclarets
🧵⤵️
People calling for Patterson to be dropped is absolutely laughable - literally one of best keepers in the division.
One poor game and some lose all thinking skills - if you’re calling for Moore to come in and Patto be dropped.. then I really don’t know what to tell you
#SAFC
Such a l likeable character man
Dropped off last season (as almost everyone did ) but think the sky is the limit for Ekwah in the future.
Going to cook for Le Bris next season I think - what a guy.
#SAFC
Michael Carrick’s really thrown his toys out the pram today
- Hume’s was yellow but never a red
- Ayling definitely a pen on Mundle
- Latte Lath should’ve been sent off
Can’t blame decisions for Boro’s lack of penetration in attack - 63% of ball and did nothing with it
#SAFC
Feel like Aaron Connolly will either be a brilliant, clever bit of business - or make absolutely 0/no impact
He definitely has potential and has a respectable record last season (8 in 13 Championship starts)
Jury still out for me though..
#SAFC
Love this from Mayenda - his development has been a welcome surprise for me
“Our ambition is the Premier League, but we need to work to get there. It’s a good start this season but we need to keep going. Everyone has the same objective and I believe in my teammates” 🇪🇸✨
#SAFC
Why some people don’t see this is a positive is strange;
09 - Mr SAFC
Neil - v vocal, homegrown talent
Hume - vocal, aggressive
Jobe - mentality for someone so young is immense
Browne - 400+ apps
Ballard - leads by example
No need to read into who isn’t picked + why
#SAFC
#SAFC
have announced a new leadership group ahead of the new season.
Luke O'Nien is club captain, Dan Neil team captain. Trai Hume, Jobe Bellingham, Alan Browne & Dan Ballard then form the rest of the group.
Meslier howler gifts Sunderland a point - think a draw is a fair result on reflection;
•
#SAFC
need to be more aggressive when in possession and Isidor was isolated
But, the never-say-die attitude and taking point of a big team is commendable
#SAFC
Can’t wait too see him absolutely tear apart Championship defenders
Isidor has so much potential to be a really dangerous forward under Le Bris.
Such an exciting prospect man - bags of talent- and he knows it himself 🤣⤵️
#SAFC
Say what you may about the recruitment on the pitch recently,
but the appointment of David Bruce off the pitch has been a real coup. He is really helping to turn the tide of the club in the right direction. Talks so much sense and backs it up with his actions.
#SAFC
The low down on “interesting” Regis Le Bris from French football podcaster 🧵🇫🇷
Pleasure to chat too and get great insight on new head coach from Baptiste Reynaud of
@LeClassiquePod
- contributor to Ligue 1’s official English speaking pod ‘Le Beau Jeu’
#SAFC
Interview 🧵⤵️
Brilliant and clever finish from Aaron Connolly for his second of the evening for the under-21s
So, so much promise in this move just hope it materialises because we could have a real talent on our hands
#SAFC
Mundle has honestly been absolutely ridiculous so far this season 🤧
He has potential to reach the same - if not even higher - levels than Clarke and I think he suits the Regis Le Bris system better
An absolute joy to watch
#SAFC
Browne would be an incredible and sensible signing for
#SAFC
to make
✅ 400+ apps
✅ Versatile
✅ Free agent
✅ Experienced international
Would be really clever business from Sunderland to suit needs of the current squad
#SAFC
Who is Marti Cifuentes and what could Sunderland fans expect ? (🧵)🇪🇸
🔴History as a coach
⚪️Barca-inspired tactics
🔴Style suits
#SAFC
perfectly
⚪️Gives players “freedom”
RT’s appreciated 🧵⤵️
#SAFC
|
#Cifuentes
|
#QPR
First transfer deadline day as a football journalist ✍🏻⌨️
Cracking set-up for the day; expecting going off reports it’s going to be a busy day with deals in the North East for
#SAFC
#NUFC
+
#BORO
Will not be this happy and energetic come 11.30 I expect 🤣
Absolutely spot on this.
Why some Sunderland fans want to live in perpetual negativity, I have no idea.
Decisions have been made, crying and being downers about it ain’t gonna help - and getting behind new man doesn’t make you “a happy clapper”
#SAFC
Genuinely think the club could cure world hunger tommorow yet some would still find something negative about that.
Usual suspects, you all know who.
#SAFC
Recruitment thread 🧵🔴⚪️
One of the most gifted players to wear a
#SAFC
shirt - Amad Diallo - played his final game for Sunderland a year ago today against Luton
Since then there has been a huge void in the attacking midfield of Sunderland which is yet to be filled
Sunderland AFC hold ‘serious interest’ in Pascal Jansen as per
@reluctantnicko
Thread on latest to be linked with
#SAFC
- Pascal Jansen 🇳🇱🧵
🔴History as coach
⚪️Attacking oriented style
🔴Predicted line-up
#SAFC
|
#PascalJensen
|
#AZAlkmaar
⤵️
As many thought and feared - looks like Jack Clarke set to depart Sunderland.
An unbelievable talent and instrumental to the upturn in fortunes of the club over the last few years.
Will be sorely, sorely missed.
#SAFC
🔵🚜 Ipswich Town agree deal to sign Jack Clarke from Sunderland, here we go!
Package worth £20m with add-ons included.
#SAFC
also secured a sell on clause as part of the deal.
One more important, ambitious signing for
#ITFC
.
Think it’s gone under the radar that Brighton - one of best talent identifiers in world - had a £2m bid knocked back for Watson
Lad is absolutely quality - one for the today and future - hope
#SAFC
can keep hold of him.
Going to the top ⤵️
#SAFC
This is really crazy - has a player ever publicly stated their will to come to a club so much?
Mendy: “My will has not changed, Sunderland has not withdrawn. Sunderland is always ready to welcome me and I am always ready to join Sunderland.”
Great piece
@SAFCsource
#SAFC
Alexandre Mendy is absolutely desperate to sign for Sunderland, and has once again expressed his frustration over the inability of his club to sanction a deal. 📝
@RokerReport
//
#SAFC
🟥◻️
Hope all those who wrote the season off because Jack Clarke has left eat some serious humble pie tonight 🤫
Absolutely fantastic display. Unified and strong at the back - creative and free-flowing going forward.
Top of league. 7 scored. 0 conceded.
RLB ball baby 🔴⚪️
#SAFC
Say what you want about his technical ability - but you could never question Cattermoles commitment to the club
Always wore his heart on his sleeve and that’s the most important thing and why the fans love him
Catts walked so Hume could run🤌🏻
#SAFC
Silly to use the ‘7th-place with that team’ stick to beat Liam Rosenior with imo, he is a young coach with a distinct style
•possession-based
•fluid attack
•style suits profile of
#SAFC
players
•took Hull from relegation zone to 7th in 2 seasons
Solid appt for me
#SAFC
On Isidor and striker debacle;
Isidor has played more of his career (68) as a centre-forward, but also considerable amount at left-wing (33)
He has said he’s a striker - who deputises on LW on record ⤵️
Should
#SAFC
still sign a CF? Yes.
Is Isidor also a CF? Yes. 🤦🏻♂️
#SAFC
Mayenda looked very promising during that first-half for me.
Looks fit and firing with some top high pressing and direct runs and a deserved goal - hopefully signs for optimism with him under Le Bris
#SAFC
Sad news re Bordeaux - but Sunderland should pounce on Zan Vipotnik ⤵️⭐️
21 y/o -
• 10 goals and 3 assists in 25 starts (37 apps) last season in Ligue 2
• 23 goals from 38 at Maribor 22-23
Has massive potential, would be clever business
#SAFC
✍🏻🔴⚪️: Sunderland look set to sign striker Alexandre Mendy as per
@footmercato
reports ⤵️
If the deal goes through, would be a brilliant acquisition to sign the 23-goal centre-forward + Ligue 2 top scorer last season
#SAFC
🧵Clip thread of some of Lorient’s best goals under Regis Le Bris - some brilliant passages of play which are really encouraging for
#SAFC
fans 🔴⚪️
Team goals, transitions and individual brilliance + patterns of play Sunderland fans can and should expect ⚽️
#SAFC
🧵⤵️
Some people tend to be so polarising at big moments.
Why can’t people have nuance?
Is Clarke leaving gutting, makes us a weaker side, and could we have got a better fee? Yes
Can those funds allow us to reinvest, and make the squad healthier as a whole? Also yes.
#SAFC
One thing I admire about Le Bris is how well he speaks of the supporters and how positive he speaks of the region and its identity in connection to the team
- with 40,00+ fans invested and connected with,
#SAFC
is at its best and can again become a juggernaut of a club
#SAFC
Sunderland once more managing to retain one of their best players is absolutely massive news
And another show of faith in the club’s project and direction of travel.
Ballard for me already one of best CB’s in the Championship.
Another great bit of business 💪🏻
#SAFC
🧵 - Sunderland heavily-linked with former Sheffield Wednesday loanee striker Ike Ugbo
🔴Chelsea academy graduate
⚪️Player profile
🔴Goals analysis
⚪️Why
#SAFC
want him + role under Le Bris
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐔𝐠𝐛𝐨?
#SAFC
🧵⤵️
Sunderland edging the race for Ike Ugbo as per
@AlexMiller91
11 goals in 28 starts in Championship last season
Would be exciting too see more of the same link-up play between him and Poveda next season ⤵️
#SAFC
🚨Understand Wednesday have agreed a ~£2.5m fee to sign Ike Ugbo - however payment structure proving a major sticking point.
Told Sunderland have now edged in on talks and as things stand are closer on that front.
Important few days ahead👇
#SWFC
🦉
⚪️🔴🩺 Cameron Archer, joining Southampton from Aston Villa on £15m while Lesley Ugochukwu deal will be loan with no buy option as expected.
Medical tests today for both players, authorized by
#AVFC
and
#CFC
.
Birmingham are plotting an ambitious move for Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg.
Their American owners are able to spend more freely in League One and are planning a big money move.
(Via:
@reluctantnicko
)
#BCFC
#SAFC
Caen announce signing of striker Coulibaly (33 y/o) ⤵️
Could be the move which finally opens the door for Alexandre Mendy to make his move to Sunderland
- would expect and hope that this is a potential replacement for Mendy
#SAFC
Going to have a thread up on Isidor tomorrow dinner-time, but early impressions are that he is raw but definitely has talent
Loves to drift inside from left-flank - great runner in-behind but clearly not the finished article yet
Forward defo has a lot of potential ⤵️
#SAFC
• 51 goals and 14 assists in 97 games for Everton’s academy
• 11 goals and 3 assists in 41 games for Preston + Leicester + Everton first-team
• 21-years-old, Ireland international cap
Plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Cannon ⤵️
#SAFC
#lcfc
transfer news - Sunderland have made a bid of around £5m for Leicester forward Tom Cannon. Norwich, Stoke & Sheffield United also expected to make offers ahead of Friday’s deadline
#safc
Glad he’s gone to an
#EFL
club rather than an European move again which clearly didn’t work out
Absolutely a player in there - got all the raw elements just needs time to nurture them.
Hope he runs the Maradona spins back at the Royals🫡
#SAFC
🧵- Sunderland have signed highly-rated ex-Preston midfielder Alan Browne for free on a 3-year deal
𝑾𝑯𝑨𝑻 type of player is Browne + 𝑾𝑯𝒀 have
#SAFC
signed him?
🧵Thread contents:
🔴Profile + career
⚪️Key strengths
🔴Clips analysis
⚪️Role at
#SAFC
#SAFC
|
#PNE
🧵⤵️
Considering
#SAFC
are in the market for a centre-forward and that Regis Le Bris worked well with Mohamed Bamba at Lorient - this could be a brilliant bit of business ⤵️👀
23-24;
• 8 goals and 3 assists in 14 starts for Lorient
• 10 g/as in 17 apps loan at Wolfsberger
#SAFC
🚨
#ASSE
🟢🟢
▶️l'opération Mohamed Bamba à Saint-Etienne a pris du plomb dans l'aile ces dernières heures...
▶️Bamba est toujours sur le départ et deux clubs sont toujours en lice. Ca va être chaud jusqu'au bout.
My Grandad was a miner - like many betrayed by Thatcher - so I absolutely love the homage to region’s mining heritage
Still unsure on the kit pattern as of yet, but I’d rather them go bold then be boring.
Think the jacket from third kit will be a crowd pleaser tho😍⤵️
#SAFC
Ian Poveda looks set to sign for Sunderland w announcement seemingly coming soon 🔴⚪️
Really similar to Roberts in terms of profile and play style - would add needed depth + competition to the right wing slot
He has so much skill and talent ⤵️
#SAFC
Had Poveda in my
#SAFC
recruitment thread a couple months ago ⤵️
Injury record is admittedly a worry - but definitely a talented Championship player in there - think he could flourish under an attacking team as he did at Sheff Wed
Solid business
#SAFC
Aji Alese @ Eppleton CW yesterday watching the Lasses on.
Very lovely guy - says that he could be back and fit in around ‘3 weeks’ 👀
When fit, he has been a top performer for
#SAFC
and will play a crucial role up and down the left side on return
⚪️🔴
#SAFC
#Alese
#SAFCWomen
As a back-up option up top to Mendy (hopefully), I can certainly get behind bringing in Isidor on loan - big potential ⤵️
• 19 goals in 42 apps for Lokomotiv Moscow
• 4 goals in 26 apps for Zenit
• 6’1”
• £3.6M market value💰
• French youth international 🇫🇷
#SAFC
Sunderland & Zenit have agreed on Isidor's loan. On Wednesday, he will fly to England to complete his move.
(
@andreypankovvv
)
Zenit CEO Medvedev told
@michfoot10
that Isidor is on his way to Sunderland