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Before looking at our left back position and Reinildo in particular, I just have to comment on the atmosphere on Saturday.
To date, I’ve rated either our demolition of Chelsea during the Peter Reid era or the Everton game towards the end of Sam Allardyce’s time as the best atmosphere at the Stadium of Light. However, I no longer need to question which was best, because Saturday beats them both hands down.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: A general view (GV) as Sunderland fans display a tifo before the Premier League match between Sunderland and West Ham United at Stadium of Light on August 16, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: A general view (GV) as Sunderland fans display a tifo before the Premier League match between Sunderland and West Ham United at Stadium of Light on August 16, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Offside via Getty Images
Behind all the justified plaudits for Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, Reinildo largely missed out and that’s a shame, because I thought he was brilliant.
Early in the game, Jarrod Bowen ran riot, but I think that was partly due to indecision over who should pick him up — Xhaka, Jenson Seelt, or Reinildo. To be fair, Bowen is a clever footballer capable of finding space, but from the middle of the first half onwards, he was kept relatively quiet and a lot of credit for that has to go to Reinildo.
It was difficult to see, but it looked like it was he who took the ball off Bowen’s toes in the box early on.
He was always composed and didn’t have any real trouble with the West Ham wingback, and given that it was his first competitive game and he’s still getting used to the tactics and his teammates, it was an impressive first outing.
What I noticed the most was Reinildo’s pace and very quick feet. He would be onto the West Ham players quickly, then withdraw, then in again, which is a winger’s nightmare. During his career, he’s seen it all when it comes to wide players, and it definitely showed. He looks like an athlete and could probably run all day.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Sunderland player Reinildo Mandava in action during the Premier League match between Sunderland and West Ham United at Stadium of Light on August 16, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Sunderland player Reinildo Mandava in action during the Premier League match between Sunderland and West Ham United at Stadium of Light on August 16, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Although Reinildo didn’t show too much, going forward, he did play a minor part in the second goal.
Call me a Luddite, but I much prefer full backs to defend first, with forward runs a nice thing to have, as there are many flying wingers and full backs in the Premier League who can cause havoc if not contained.
Last season, we had Dennis Cirkin on the left, Aji Alese as backup — albeit often injured — and Leo Hjelde, who did OK defensively but never really looked comfortable. Now we have Reinildo with Arthur Masuaku as backup — two solid options.
Although inconsistent, on his day, Cirkin looked more than capable of playing in the Premier League, but Reinildo is a major upgrade. Of course, he may also be inconsistent or injury-prone and we’ll have to wait and see.
So, what happens with Cirkin? The obvious conclusion is that he’s likely to move on, which is fine. My only worry is what we do in the medium term, as both Reinildo and Masuaku are coming towards the end of their careers, but perhaps the recruitment team has their beady eyes on someone younger to bring in next summer.
To conclude, I have to go back to Saturday.
The last three games I have attended were the playoff semi-final, Wembley and Saturday, three unbelievable occasions. Can it carry on like this? Probably not, but what memories!