ANALYSIS: What have we learned from Sunderland’s pre-season campaign?
20.08.26, 09:04 Updated 20.08.26, 09:07 8 Minute Read
Keith Chapman
Winning at any level or in any competition is welcome and, naturally, breeds confidence, but the manner in which Sunderland have quietly gone about their preparations - and particularly their performances against Lens and Rennes - suggests there is something more significant developing under Régis Le Bris this season.
Of course, nobody should be getting carried away. If there is one set of supporters who remain grounded and do not get carried away easily, it is most certainly ours.
A pre-season victory over Rennes will have no direct bearing on how Sunderland perform in the Premier League, the Europa League or the domestic cup competitions, just as beating Lens a week earlier does not guarantee that the Black Cats will repeat the heights of last season.
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Keith Chapman contributed to Sunderland's matchday programme from 2001-2016. Season ticket holder and supporter for over 40 years, Keith was one of the fans in one of the fleet of taxis home from Bristol Airport organised by Niall Quinn when he was Chairman of SAFC! Has also worked as a Programme Editor for Non-League, EFL and Premier League clubs since 2014.