Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Roefs was on fire!
I’m already convinced by Robin Roefs — he’s a proper goalkeeper.
His basics are just there. He can catch the ball from a cross, he can distribute the ball, his reactions are good, and he has presence. He’s got all the fundamentals that you expect from a goalkeeper, and I’m not sure you can say that about any of the other goalkeepers we currently have in the squad.
You can see already why we paid a lot of money for him.
The progress of this team in each game so far has been noticeable, and I think we looked the best that we’ve looked all summer, which is perfect and just what you’d expect.
Our defence and goalkeeper looked cohesive; the midfield were all on the same page and with Granit Xhaka’s guidance, they knitted the whole team together both in and out of possession. Talbi and Adingra on the wings had their best games in Sunderland colours so far, and Eliezer Mayenda up top did everything but score a goal — he was excellent.
Considering the sheer amount of change that we’ve gone through over the summer, it’s great to see how cohesive everything looked, and you can only hope that sets us up perfectly for the Premier League opener next Saturday.
Mayenda not clinical enough
It feels stupid to point out negatives after a pre-season game, but despite playing brilliantly, it’s hard to ignore that Eliezer Mayenda missed some good chances to score.
The penalty that he ballooned over the bar was a stinker, but we won’t hold it against him as other than in front of goal, he looks very sharp and he did an outstanding job of bringing his teammates into the game, but in the Premier League you can’t afford to miss too many chances as you’ll be punished.
He’s not daft. I’m sure he knows this, and he’s already shown in his time here that he can turn it on when it matters.
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 09: Eliezer Mayenda of Sunderland arrives prior to the pre-season friendly match between Augsburg and Sunderland at WWK ARENA on August 09, 2025 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Sunderland AFC/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 09: Eliezer Mayenda of Sunderland arrives prior to the pre-season friendly match between Augsburg and Sunderland at WWK ARENA on August 09, 2025 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Sunderland AFC/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images) Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
The midfield trio of Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra were superb all game. Their link up play and already having a great understanding with the season starting next week is refreshing — long may it continue!
A slight conundrum with Enzo Le Fée not being there, but as he’s likely playing today and Sadiki seemingly picking up a knock, he could yet feature from the off next weekend.
More importantly, Diarra got off the mark with a cracking strike following some great build up play with Xhaka and Simon Adingra.
Jenson Seelt catches the eye
The performance from Seelt can’t go unnoticed and I thought he was brilliant at the back.
Rumours are circulating of us signing someone from Getafe and Seelt subsequently going out on loan as a result, but I think he’s more than capable of playing alongside Dan Ballard.
We need big, physical ball playing centre backs and I don’t think letting him go on loan is a wise move based on his stellar performance yesterday!
Have we unearthed another Tommy Sorensen?! Penalty save, reflex saves and commanding his box.
Man of the match for me.
The penalty was awful and he then missed a good three further chances which I feel if it was the end of last season, he buries them.
It’s been the Mayenda of old during pre-season where he’s missed guilt edged chances and as mentioned from the last game, we can’t afford this once the season starts!
He made some great runs and offered some top quality link up play, but the ball isn’t hitting the net! However, it’s still pre-season and I back him to bury these chances once our season begins.
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 09: Habib Diarrra of Sunderland (surrounded by teammates) celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the pre-season friendly match between Augsburg and Sunderland at WWK ARENA on August 09, 2025 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Sunderland AFC/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Reinildo makes his case
Reinildo showed his class and experience for me.
My assumption of him was that he’s a defensively sound left back but limited going forward, that was proven wrong with his performance.
His dribbling in tight spaces and his link up with Simon Adingra down that side was exciting to watch.
Although it is only pre season, I was not 100% convinced on Talbi before going into today’s game. While I think he could take more risks and go at his man a bit more you could see his quality today.
For a young winger, he’s calm and assured on the ball and I think once he grows in confidence, he’ll be a very exciting player to watch this season.
We seemed to allow a lot of crosses into the area and although they didn’t amount to anything, on another day you’re asking for trouble.
I trust Dan Ballard and our defence to deal with them, however Leeds away, for example, shows that if you don’t stop crosses, anything can happen.
Forget the grand in your hand at home games — pick a random fan out of the stands before each game and they are our penalty taker, I’d feel more confident with that.
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 09: Fans of Sunderland during the pre-season friendly match between Augsburg and Sunderland at WWK ARENA on August 09, 2025 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Sunderland AFC/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)