Pundit reveals something that may "hurt" Sunderland AFC this season | OneFootball

Adrian Clarke of the 'What The EFL?!' Podcast thinks that Sunderland's lack of squad depth could be their undoing this season

Adrian Clarke of the 'What The EFL?!' Podcast has raised concerns surrounding the squad depth of Sunderland, who have taken the Championship by storm so far in the 2024/25 campaign.

The Black Cats have set the pace with an exhilarating brand of counter-attacking football which has sent them to the top of the league table after twelve matches.

Sunderland have already claimed nine wins this season, including victories over the likes of Middlesbrough and Burnley, and they appear poised to remain in the promotion reckoning all year long under Regis Le Bris.

They're showing no signs of slowing down either, having won four of their last five Championship fixtures and they'll be looking to further extend that run of form when they travel to 23rd-placed QPR on Saturday afternoon.

Their stunning start to the season has offered a sense of vindication to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman, who each received strong criticism from supporters last term as Sunderland failed to follow-up on a play-off finish under Toby Mowbray by finishing in 16th.

Sunderland AFC squad depth issue raised

Sunderland are rocking at the minute, allaying any potential concerns that their emphatic early-season form was incapable of being sustained. However, the lack of strength in depth at Le Bris' disposal could just be worth worrying about, according to Clarke, who highlighted the issue as something that may "hurt" the side.

Speaking on the latest episode of the 'What The EFL?!' Podcast, Clarke explained: "The midfield of Dan Neil, the new captain, with [Chris] Rigg and [Jobe] Bellingham is flying, absolutely flying. You've got [Wilson] Isidor up front on loan, who has come in for [Eliezer] Mayenda and has been superb. I think Mayenda is fit again, the wingers have been great.

"There's so much to admire about what Sunderland have done this season. This is maybe one of the more telling stats, though, and this might be something that hurts them in the long run; they've used ten less substitutes than anyone else in the Championship this season.

"They've made just 31 subs in 11 games, so that's less than three a game. Most are four or five a game, clearly. You know why that is - they don't have the depth. They don't have subs, at the moment when they've got one or two injuries, who can come on and change the games.

"When it's Isidor and Mayenda, fine. In other positions, I don't think the back-ups are quite as strong so that is what might trip Sunderland up.

"They've got to get to January, stay in the top-two if they can and then will the owners go big? Will they invest and give the manager a deeper squad to get them over the line? Because footballing-wise, I do think they're good enough."

Regis Le Bris will be backed at Sunderland in January

Although the squad depth is a viable concern at this moment in time, you would imagine that the issue will be alleviated in the January transfer window. That's because Le Bris is set to be backed with further funds in the new year should Sunderland remain in the promotion race, as per a report from Football Insider.

The report claims that Le Bris and Sunderland are eager to avoid disrupting the young, exciting core of the squad which has delivered initial success, although it does appear as though some fine-tuning exercises will be undertaken.

One port of call may well be adding further experience to the squad, which would be brought in abundance if Sunderland can successfully pull off a sensational homecoming for Jordan Henderson, who has been continually linked with a Wearside return after struggling with both Al-Ettifaq and currently Ajax in the aftermath of his exit from Liverpool.