Heading into the 2024/25 season, there may have been some understandable nerves among those of a Sunderland persuasion.
The previous campaign had ended in extremely underwhelming circumstances for the Black Cats.
Following the ill-fated decision to replace Tony Mowbray with Michael Beale as manager in December 2023, the club spent the last few months of the campaign under the caretaker management of Mike Dodds.
As a result, Sunderland ended the season with just 16 points from their last 20 league games, which saw them finish 16th – just six points clear of the relegation zone.
After a long search for Beale’s successor, Regis Le Bris was eventually appointed as manager on a three-year contract until the summer of 2027, having most recently departed Lorient in his home nation of France.
That may have been viewed as a gamble given his lack of experience in England, and his Lorient side’s relegation from Ligue 1 last season.
So far though, things have gone just about as well as anyone at Sunderland could have hoped for at the start of the campaign.
Regis Le Bris has settled in well in England following Sunderland AFC appointment
With the exception of a defeat to Preston North End in the first round of the Carabao Cup, it has been a perfect start to the season for the Black Cats under their new manager.
In the Championship, Sunderland have claimed four wins from four games to sit top of the early standings.
That has included a 4-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday, and a 1-0 win over one of this season’s promotion favourites in the form of Burnley.
As a result, the mood around the Stadium of Light will undoubtedly have a much more positive feel, than it did just a few months ago.
However, it could be argued there will be at least one player at Sunderland who will have some personal frustrations about their situation.
One individual that may apply to, and who could therefore need to ask Le Bris about a loan move in the January transfer window, is Adil Aouchiche.
Sunderland midfielder Adil Aouchiche may need January transfer move to fulfil potential
Aouchiche joined Sunderland back in the summer of 2023, when he signed from Lorient for an undisclosed fee.
However, having completed that move, the attacking midfielder is yet to really nail down a place in the Black Cats’ starting line-up.
