Sunderland have shone in the Premier League so far this season.
Kevin Phillips and Michael Owen have delivered a wide-reaching and glowing verdict on Sunderland’s form since returning to the Premier League this season, with the latter praising the Black Cats for the “massive risk” they took with their recruitment policy over the summer.
The top flight new boys made 14 signings following their promotion last May, spending in excess of £150 million, and have reaped the rewards ever since. At the time of writing, Regis Le Bris’ men are eighth in the table, five points adrift of the top four, and a resounding 3-0 victory over Burnley at the Stadium of Light on Monday evening ensured that they remain the only side in the division to still boast an unbeaten record at this advanced stage of the campaign.
And speaking in the aftermath of that result, both Phillips and Owen were quick to laud Sunderland for the manner in which they have adapted to life in the Premier League.
What did Kevin Phillips and Michael Owen say about Sunderland?
Reflecting on his former club’s ongoing purple patch during a punditry appearance on Premier League Live, Phillips said: “I think within the camp, when I speak to people, they're not going to get too carried away. Of course, they'd love to finish in a European spot, which would be an incredible achievement. I think they still want to get to that 40 points, so they do secure safety and then they can move on from there.
“But to bounce back after a really disappointing result and performance last week [against West Ham] to tonight, no matter how Burnley played, they still had to perform. They're under pressure, and they did, and there were some excellent performances from individuals. But the biggest thing that has stood out for me this season is, collectively, they're all in it together. It looks like we've got a wonderful team spirit there.
“And defensively, you know, they look solid. They look solid. They weren't tested tonight, but I've seen them be tested this season, and they've stood up to it. So that always stands you in good stead for a positive and good season. My slight question mark was, at the beginning of the season, were they going to score enough goals? Proved me wrong tonight, they got three. I wasn’t seeing that coming, but it was an excellent performance.”
Owen continued: “Normally, with promoted sides, they struggle to score. And let's get it right, I know I'm biased, and I know I'm sat by somebody that will agree with me because he's a striker, but it's obviously harder to create a real attacking team and score goals rather than just sit back and try to defend and put numbers at the back.
“And of course, when you're unsure, that's what a lot of teams do coming into the Premier League. But this Sunderland team have got a bit of both. They're very good at the back, starting right at the back, you know, with their goalkeeper. And they've managed to sign some real threatening players as well. So they can do a bit of both.They can tough it out with anybody, in terms of defensively, but they can score goals as well. And when you've got both sides of the coin... It's often the case, the best teams, no matter what you throw at them... If you want to fight them, they can fight. If you want to counter-attack them, they can defend, they can do a little bit of everything. And I think this Sunderland team, testament to them, they can do a little bit of everything, no matter whether they're at home or away. Of course, they're a little bit stronger at home, but they're good right the way through their team.”
Addressing Sunderland’s stellar home form, Phillips added: “It's incredible, absolutely incredible. You know, I experienced the good times in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light, and it's been a long time coming. I feel the fans deserve it because they've been through a lot over the last five, six, seven seasons - spending four seasons in League One, were they ever going to get out? They got out eventually, got out of the Championship when they probably weren't expected to, and now look at them. They're competing against some of the best teams in the world. So it's a credit to the playing staff, the manager, but also the people behind the scenes, because they get it. The chairman gets it. The people that he's hired get the football club, they get the area, the infrastructure is there, and now they're producing on a pitch, which is great for everyone to see.”
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Turning his attention to Sunderland’s ambitious summer recruitment drive, Owen said: “It was a massive risk as well, wasn't it? How many times have we seen teams coming up and they buy, buy, buy with all the money that they're going to be guaranteed for being in the Premier League? But it very rarely works. It works in time. We've seen lots of teams who have struggled to start with, but maybe the next season they have a big season.
“But for them [Sunderland] to do it straight away is incredibly, well, impressive, let's say, but it's a big risk as a club because you might get one shot at that. You come up and you get one shot at sticking all that money in, and if it goes wrong and you're back down into the Championship, you've got a high wage bill, you've spent all your money, nothing to show for it. And then it might take a long time to get back into the Premier League.
“So it's a real precarious time when a team comes straight into the Premier League. Yes, there's parachute money, but it's a real precarious time and they've taken the risk. They've been pretty brutal with some of their players as well. You talk about loyalty, those players getting them up and they've said, ‘Yep, well done, pat on the back, see you later’. It's harsh, but this is a harsh world. They've taken risks and they've done it. I mean, they're safe already, aren't they, for another season and now they can build.”
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