Ian Bendelow says…
Only the Burnley match will provide a clear answer to the question.
It is a concern, though, because it is a complete departure from the traits the squad has shown throughout the season. Composure, organisation, professionalism.
A rancid first half showing, Granit Xhaka offering some lame-brained helmet of a West Ham fan outside for a straightener, along with Nordi’s reaction to being substituted, just wasn’t a great look at all, really. It’s hard to put your finger on the exact issue unless you are on the inside, but for the first time this campaign it felt a little like all forces weren’t pulling in the same direction. Was it the hole left by the injury to our captain? Being 3-0 down at half time? Le Bris’ incorrect tactical setup? Or perhaps his team selection?
Quite simply, it could just be frustration that the three players we felt pre-game could hurt us did in Bowen, Fernandes and Summerville.
Whatever the reason, what we need to demonstrate now is a continuation of what this side has done all season: follow a defeat up with a victory.
It should be stressed - this is a side with massive credit in the bank, but like all good teams, course correction is still a vital aspect of any squad. Because that will give the best chance of achieving season-end goals. It’s been commented on by senior players that there is a bit of dissatisfaction with the way the last couple of months have gone. To that I say: get out there and get this club to the position where you want it to be.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Sunderland’s Reinildo Mandava during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at London Stadium on January 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Sunderland’s Reinildo Mandava during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at London Stadium on January 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
CameraSport via Getty Images
Tom Albrighton says...
It’s hard to know whether or not to be concerned about the performance and therefore discipline during last week’s defeat to West Ham. Whilst on one hand this may be an outlier of a result (see also Burnley away), there may also be the potential that in lieu of the presence of Granit Xhaka it may have been a forewarning as to what is to come.
As mentioned in the question a real worry was discipline, both collectively as a team and a series of individual performances that saw three players removed from the fray at half-time. Whilst it is undeniable that Xhaka is an incredible influence on the pitch it is of concern how few players seemed capable of filling the void left by our talisman and more concerningly for me, how little learning they showed.
When afforded an opportunity to play alongside such storied players one would expect players to become sponges. This was my pre-match expectation last week, to see how far players had come as a result of their exposure to what is an undeniably elite player, that were readily dashed when many were found wanting.
With that said, we can all have bad days and we will not be the only team this season that will suffer from the perfect storm of several players playing poorly all at once. If it is to be an outlier then Monday should provide the perfect tonic, as Burnley will bring no airs and graces as they fight doggedly for their Premier League survival.
If we are to prove to everyone there is life without Xhaka (because inevitably there has to be), then Monday’s test is the barometer in which we can judge how far this team has really come by righting the wrongs of last week’s miserable defeat to West Ham. A difficult and tricky fixture ahead let there be no doubt, but if Sunderland want to prove a point and players want to earn the trust of both the fans and of Monsieur Le Bris that they can be the ones who fill the chasm left in Xhaka’s absence, there is no better time or place than Monday night under the Stadium of Light floodlights.
Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland AFC is not happy after being substituted during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at the London Stadium in Stratford, United Kingdom, on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland AFC is not happy after being substituted during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at the London Stadium in Stratford, United Kingdom, on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto via Getty Images
John Wilson says...
Am I concerned about the lack of discipline last week against West Ham? In a word — no. You could almost see what was happening as the game went on. The players became increasingly frustrated with the way the game was unfolding, as well as with themselves. I think the players were more to blame against The Hammers, more than any tactical or team selection reasons. They probably wanted to show what they could do without the captain, but never got out of second gear as far as their drive and determination went, until the last 15 minutes or so. I think in the period after we got a goal back, a bit of fight entered the performance, and it’s almost as if it reminded them of what they are capable of when they give 100%.
No one can deny that Xhaka is our best player. He pulls all the strings, and everything goes through him. It must be great to play alongside him. That being said, I don’t think we are a one-player team. I do think we can put on a good performance without him. The team messed up their first chance to prove it. Round 2 will probably come against Burnley, and I think they’ll grasp the nettle this time.
In a way, it was good to see that a few got rattled. They knew they weren’t up to the expected standard, and that they’d underestimated West Ham. You can’t do that against any team. Consistency is a key word used by Le Bris, and that is an example of what it means. Every team must be afforded the respect and effort and focus. We haven’t done that against Fulham, Burnley, Brentford and even to an extent Manchester United, who were going through a bad patch when we played them, and I think some players thought we could turn up and nick something.
Consistency is key for us. Not just having a go against the ‘big’ clubs — but having a go and getting stuck in and ruffling feathers against everyone. The players know this, and last week, we only achieved in ruffling our own feathers and getting frustrated. A one-off I’m sure, and I’m not concerned. I’m hoping to be proved right against Burnley!
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Stewards surround the Sunderland bench after West Ham fans argue with Granit Xhaka of Sunderland during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at London Stadium on January 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Stewards surround the Sunderland bench after West Ham fans argue with Granit Xhaka of Sunderland during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at London Stadium on January 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Alex Charlton says…
The first half of our defeat to West Ham was the worst of the season, and while the lads showed poor discipline in that opening 45 minutes, I’m confident that they would have learnt ahead of a very winnable home game.
The absence of Granit Xhaka was felt, and while that should not act as an excuse, it was a first for Sunderland this season. However, I’m sure he has spoken to the team about the lack of discipline and how they can put things right against Burnley. Even when he’s not on the pitch, I expect him to make an impact.
Of course, Regis made changes in that game, but I think the second half performance was an indicator that the players listened and made amends. The whole team improved and the team goal was a joy to behold - one of our best of the campaign.
If anything, I’m expecting us to go at Burnley right from the off rather than replicating that dismal first half performance. The players know they owe the supporters after that, and they’ve bounced back quickly from poor results before this season.
What happened last weekend must be seen as a learning curve, and I’m expecting several changes so that it doesn’t happen again.