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A stern Sunday test
Whilst the results might be of concern to some fans, there can be no grumbles about the quality of opposition faced during pre-season.
Rather than steamrollering a couple of lower level teams and getting a false idea of things, Sunderland set themselves a tough programme and went up against some quality sides — which will hopefully bear fruit now that the competitive games are about to commence.
With regards to our final opponents Rayo Vallecano, it is clear to see how they did so well last season and managed to reach the playoff round of the Conference League, as the visitors played some good football and made things very difficult.
Harrison Jones participates in the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at the Stadium Of Light in Sunderland, England, on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Harrison Jones participates in the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at the Stadium Of Light in Sunderland, England, on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto via Getty Images
A tough watch
Apparently the club stream went down during the game, but having been present inside the Stadium of Light, I can confirm that things weren’t much better in person.
The first half in particular was very poor fare, with Sunderland offering very little in terms of an attacking threat and it was pretty clear that this was a scratch team consisting of several players expecting to miss out against West Ham United.
There were some decent individual performances but as a group, the Lads were well off the pace and the new boys watching on after their warm reception before kick-off — Marc Guiu and Arthur Masuaku — will now surely be keen to get going and help the squad out.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson in action during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Light on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson in action during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Light on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Stu Forster/Getty Images
Minutes in the legs
There have been a lot of players missing through injury during pre-season, and whilst some of them have a way to go yet, it was good to see one or two others getting back on the pitch and working up a bit of match sharpness.
Having previously been first team regulars, several of those involved against Vallecano now face a real battle to get into the starting eleven and if they’re to force their way back into Régis Le Bris’ thinking, will need to be up and running as soon as possible.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Wilson Isidor of Sunderland in action during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Light on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Wilson Isidor of Sunderland in action during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Light on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Stu Forster/Getty Images
A goal would’ve been nice
The La Liga side fully warranted their win, but Sunderland did rally towards the end and perhaps deserved to get some sort of reward for their efforts.
It felt as if a goal was coming in the minutes after Le Bris’ substitutions and on another day, Timur Tutierov could well have scored, but having done well the day before in Germany, he can still be pleased with his recent efforts.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Sunderland player Timur Tutierov shoots at goal during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Light on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Sunderland player Timur Tutierov shoots at goal during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Light on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Stu Forster/Getty Images
The youngsters take centre stage
Tutierov wasn’t the only youngster to do well for themselves in the last few weeks.
Harrison Jones has made a decent fist of things at left back, for example, whilst Tom Lavery and Jenson Jones worked extremely hard last season and have hopefully set themselves up for another push having now tasted a bit of first team action.
The U21s start their Premier League 2 campaign on Monday 18 August with a game against Tottenham Hotspur, and will be looking to continue their encouraging progress.
Timur Tutierov of Sunderland participates in the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Timur Tutierov of Sunderland participates in the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto via Getty Images
And for the rest?
There are some more established names that’ll be uncertain about what happens next.
It’s a bit of a shame when players you’ve grown attached to and have served the club well look like they’re being pushed down the pecking order, but the door hasn’t exactly been slammed in their face.
Places on the bench and minutes as a substitute are still up for grabs, and with Sunderland due to enter round two of the Carabao Cup, the draw later this week could be more significant than usual for a handful of crowd favourites.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Dan Neil of Sunderland in action during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Light on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Dan Neil of Sunderland in action during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Rayo Vallecano at Stadium of Light on August 10, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Stu Forster/Getty Images