Kyril Louis-Dreyfus makes his intentions known as an unwanted Sunderland record is banished against Fleetwood Town
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We take a look at some of the moments you might have missed from the League One triumph – from a piercing glance to a banished record:
THE WARM-UP GAMBIT
With Sunderland’s defensive options once again limited, the Black Cats started the game in the 3-4-3 shape that had served them well at Burton Albion.
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Hide AdBut looking at the pre-match warm-up, you wouldn’t have thought that were the case – given that the side were preparing as a back four.
Conor McLaughlin, Dion Sanderson, Callum McFadzean and Luke O’Nien prepared together as the defensive unit while Lynden Gooch – who started the game as a wing-back before being pushed further forward – worked with the club’s attacking players.
We had seen similar at Burton, where the team prepared as a back four before starting as a three.
It's an interesting approach and perhaps an early gambit to try and throw-off the opposition. Whatever the reason, there will no doubt be plenty of reasoning behind it given Lee Johnson’s methodical approach to all aspects of the club.
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Hide AdTHE NEW NORMAL UNDER LOUIS-DREYFUS
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ presence at games in recent weeks has been noted and well-received – and is starting to become the new normal.
He was again in the stands against the Cod Army, flanked by his partner.
A cold Tuesday fixture night against Fleetwood Town may not be the most glamorous game of the 23-year-old’s life (a glance at his Instagram feed confirms just that) but it’s what the future will hold for the new Sunderland chairman.
Louis-Dreyfus has made his intentions clear during his early weeks on Wearside. He will be relocating to the area, and will be a regular presence at the Academy of Light and indeed at fixtures.
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Hide AdIt’s been a while since Sunderland have had a chairman regularly attending fixtures, but any good business needs a leader on the ground.
From the early signs, Louis-Dreyfus will be just that.
A PLEASANT CHANGE OVER THE TANNOY
The fact that Dance of the Knights was played before kick-off didn’t go unnoticed by Sunderland supporters.
It has been played throughout the campaign, but was made far more prominent in the pre-match music selection than it has been in previous weeks.
Another interesting facet of the club’s pre-match build-up was the inclusion of fan chants in-between tracks – as recordings of supporters chanting ‘we’re by the far the greatest team, the world has ever seen’ reverberated around the season.
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Hide AdAnd the changes didn’t stop there either. Following the final whistle, terrace favourite ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’ was blasted out, while we were even treated to a few bars of ‘Paint Your Wagon’ before the music was shut-off so that post-match interviews could be conudcted.
Small changes, but ones that will go down well with supporters when they return to the Stadium of Light.
AN UNWANTED RECORD BANISHED
More than one record was consigned to the history books in the win over Fleetwood.
The first of which was Sunderland’s dismal record against the Cod Army – which had seen them fail to win against the side since their drop into League One.
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Hide AdBut the second of the unwanted records banished was by far the more important of the two.
The Black Cats had failed to win three consecutive league games all season, and hadn’t achieved that feat in close to twelve months either.
Yet the victory over Simon Grayson’s side saw them rack-up a third straight win in League One. Now, that must be built on with momentum undoubtedly key in the final weeks of the campaign.
A SUBSTITUTION CANCELLED
Spare a thought for poor Jordan Jones.
The loanee was stripped and ready to enter the fray – only for Aiden O’Brien to head home, prompting his introduction and that of Chris Maguire to be postponed.
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Hide AdIt isn’t the first time that Jones has been ready to head onto the field only to be asked to sit back down, with the winger ready to come on in injury time against Lincoln City in the Papa John’s Trophy semi-final only for the ball to fail to head out of play in an end-to-end finale.
He did manage to eventually come on against Fleetwood, and caught the eye with his directness and attacking threat.
LEE JOHNSON’S PIERCING GLANCE
It was the kind of look you didn’t want to be on the end of.
As the ball was cleared into the stands behind the Sunderland dugout towards the end of the first half, Johnson was keen to see the game quickly restarted.
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Hide AdHe didn’t need to say anything, as his look said it all. He wanted the ball quickly so Fleetwood had no time to regroup.
It’s indicative of the front-footed, relentless football Johnson wants to employ that even small details – such as recycling the ball back into play quickly – are concentrated on, given the marginal gains they can provide.
Expect Sunderland’s ball boys to be moving the ball quickly in the coming weeks.
THE CELEBRATIONS THAT SAID IT ALL
You’ll no doubt have seen the picture.
Max Power, flanked by Dion Sanderson, cheering the goal that sealed the win as they peeled off towards the corner flag.
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Hide AdIndeed, the celebrations for both goals emphasised the passion and feel-good factor currently seeping through the Sunderland squad.
Let’s hope we see many more celebrations of that ilk in the coming weeks and months.