Maybe we became arrogant – Sunderland’s woes continue
Sunderland’s defender Nordi Mukiele did not hold back after the Black Cats fell 2-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday, their fourth consecutive Premier League loss that leaves them second from bottom. The French international described the team as “not good enough” and suggested that “maybe we became arrogant” as the reason for the decline.
Head coach Régis Le Bris echoed the disappointment without the harshness. “We were below the level, it’s really clear,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s hard to take, hard to digest. It’s painful because we are not Sunderland and it’s not acceptable.”
Sunderland’s season started with high hopes after they qualified for the Europa League at the first attempt last term, a feat not achieved in eight years. Yet the club now appears to be grappling with the demands of competing on two fronts. After seven games last season, they had 11 points and sat ninth, but this campaign has seen them collect just four points from one win, one draw and five defeats.
Le Bris refused to make excuses, acknowledging the congested schedule. “We have a busy schedule. We want to embrace the challenge, but the position at the minute is not good,” he said.
In Europe the Black Cats remain unbeaten, having beaten AZ Alkmaar and Torreense, but both league games that followed those victories ended in defeat, including an eight‑goal thriller against unbeaten leaders Manchester City.
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, who briefly played for Sunderland in 1996, warned that the squad may not be deep enough to handle the extra fixtures after a seventh‑place finish last season. “They overachieved last season, getting into European competition,” Given said. “I don’t know if the squad is ready for a challenge on all fronts. You need a bigger, deeper squad and it’s going to be a big ask. They are second bottom at the minute, and there are many games coming in a short period. The Premier League is the bread and butter, that’s the most important thing.”
Sunderland splashed £161 million on 15 new players after promotion in the summer of 2025. This window saw about £60 million spent on five signings, while key figures such as captain Granit Xhaka and striker Brian Brobbey – currently sidelined with a hamstring injury – were retained.
The Bournemouth match highlighted defensive frailties. Loan signing Kevin Danso, brought in from Tottenham Hotspur, was sent off in the 17th minute after pulling down Evanilson, who had been set up by Marcus Tavernier’s early goal. In the second half, centre‑back Omar Alderete’s weak backpass to goalkeeper Robin Roefs allowed Evanilson to score the winner.
Opta data shows Sunderland have committed the most errors leading to goals in the league this season, with five. Alderete joined Danso as the third player to make multiple such errors, alongside Hull’s Konstantinos Tzolakis. Defensively, Sunderland have conceded 14 goals, only surpassed by Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town, more than double the tally after seven games last season. Offensively, they have scored six, and their three attempts on target against Bournemouth were the fewest by any side in a Premier League match this season.
Facing a schedule that includes Manchester City, Arsenal and Brighton, Sunderland’s start has been anything but easy. Mukiele remains optimistic, saying, “It’s just the beginning. Football is like this. You can accept it, stand up and go back to work. If I believe we can go back to the top again, I do.” He added that improvement must begin in training, noting the team “doesn’t do enough” and that the lack of effort is evident on the pitch. “We cannot lie about football, and today I don’t want to say we didn’t want to win this game, but it didn’t look like we wanted something,” he concluded. “We just have to work hard to be.”