Sunderland Defies Norms, While Wolves Struggle

A Tale of Two Fanbases

The atmosphere at the Stadium of Light at full-time was strikingly different for the two teams. Sunderland celebrated their fourth victory out of eight matches since their Premier League return, securing a place in the top seven. Meanwhile, Wolves remain at the bottom of the league, still seeking their first win of the season.

While Régis le Bris’ squad is enjoying a successful return, Wolves are experiencing one of their worst starts. This raises the question: What accounts for the vast differences in their performances?

Sunderland’s Exceptional Start Amidst Challenges

Sunderland’s fans, having endured a tumultuous decade filled with relegations and struggles, might have expected trepidation upon their return to the Premier League. After experiencing back-to-back drop-downs and spending four years in League One, their path back to the top division was not easy.

Last season’s promotion was nothing short of dramatic; finishing 16th the prior season, they shocked everyone by defeating Sheffield United in the play-off final with a stunning last-minute goal.

However, luck alone does not define Sunderland’s turnaround. Concerns arose when they made a whopping 14 first-team signings over the summer, leading to fears that their strong team unity might fracture. Nevertheless, they have surprisingly retained this cohesion, accumulating 14 points in eight matches, matching their best start ever in the Premier League.

Manager Le Bris remains grounded, telling the media, “For me, it’s just a question of the next game… It’s a long and tough journey. Early points are beneficial for confidence.”

Their solid performance is particularly credited to their home games, with 10 of their 14 points secured at the Stadium of Light—second only to league leaders Arsenal.

Remarkably, Sunderland’s points tally is the best from any promoted team since Wolves’ successful 2018-19 season, which is crucial as they seek to establish themselves in the league.

Wolves Suffering from Offensive Challenges

Although Wolves are slightly ahead in points compared to this point last season, their recent trip to the North East yielded few positives. Only eight matches into the season, they find themselves five points adrift from safety, facing an uphill battle and struggling with the worst goal difference in the league.

Their inability to score in four matches has highlighted their attacking weaknesses, marking the 14th time a club has managed two points or fewer at this stage, with a worrying trend of relegation for most of those teams.

Although Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira suggested that there were some redeeming moments in the second half, with three or four goal-scoring opportunities, they ultimately fell to a team with a recent history in League One.

Reflecting on the encounter, Pereira admitted, “I don’t remember good moments from the first half… We need to avoid losing such opportunities.”

Pereira, who signed a contract extension just a month ago after a series of defeats, may soon find his position scrutinized if results do not improve.

A significant concern is Jorgen Strand Larsen’s lack of goals this season. The Norwegian was expected to be a pivotal player for Wolves after they rejected substantial bids for him during the summer transfer window but has yet to find the net.

As it stands, Wolves are facing a dire situation, and unless there’s a radical turnaround, their future in the Premier League looks increasingly uncertain.