Sunderland Seek Strong Response After Fulham Defeat

Sunderland – It’s been a true reflection of the impact the Lads have made during the early months of the 2025/26 season that very few games have felt genuinely high stakes. Whether following a victory or a setback, there’s been no panic, no overreaction, and no sense that any single fixture would define the campaign. Sunderland have carried themselves with composure, a sign of maturity beyond their Premier League experience.

The defeats to Burnley and Manchester United were frustrating, yes, but they were handled with calm by Régis Le Bris and his squad. Saturday’s loss at a rain-soaked Craven Cottage was another reminder of how small the margins are at this level. It was only our third defeat of the league season — proof in itself of how competitive Sunderland have been — but it still stung, largely because it felt avoidable. Now, it’s time to regroup, assess what went wrong, and bounce back strongly at home against Bournemouth.

As ever, praise must be balanced with accountability. Sunderland’s three losses have been narrow, not catastrophic, yet each revealed small areas for improvement — tactical, technical, and mental. Le Bris’ decision to field a back five against Fulham surprised many and perhaps limited our ability to control midfield. The absence of Habib Diarra didn’t help, but it wasn’t the sole reason we struggled for rhythm. The head coach himself acknowledged after the game that we were a touch sluggish, maybe still feeling the effects of the international break.

Still, what stood out most was Le Bris’ calm, articulate response afterward — a leader entirely unshaken by one off day. With the leadership of Granit Xhaka in the dressing room, there’s every reason to believe the Lads will respond with fire and focus this weekend.

The team’s standards are high because they expect excellence of themselves. Every misplaced pass or missed opportunity will have hurt — but not in a destructive way. Rather, it fuels their determination.

Saturday’s home fixture against Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth now becomes a chance to reaffirm our identity. Could we see Chemsdine Talbi unleashed from the start? Might Le Bris revert to a more aggressive setup? Whatever the approach, it should reflect Sunderland’s spirit — bold, energetic, and unafraid.

Ha’way the Lads!