Bailey Wright has talked in glowing terms of how his Sunderland teammates have performed as a unit so far this season.
The Australian has been at the heart of a defence which has yet to concede from open play in 2020/21, and he is keen for the team to continue this feat at the Stadium of Light against Peterborough United this Saturday.
“We pride ourselves not only as a back line – Burgey in goal included – but as a team as well on being a solid defensive unit,” Wright explained.
“We know we have the quality to score goals from all over the pitch. As a defence, we know our job is to continue to be solid, and to act as a platform for the boys ahead of us to show their magic going forward. As long as we do that, we’ll be in with a good chance in any game we play, as we showed at Oxford last weekend – a tough place to go.
“Day-in, day-out, we’re fortunate enough to see the quality that we saw with our goals [at Oxford]. We looked creative, good on the ball, and ‘on song’ is how I would say it. We need to keep that consistency now moving forward this season, with Peterborough up next.”
The centre-half outlines stability and a healthy culture around the camp as having a significant positive impact on the Lads’ performances.
“Stability is key for us. When I came in initially on loan, I straight away started building relationships both on and off the pitch, which is important. We have a great group of lads, the atmosphere and culture here is fantastic.
“It helps to get the best out of yourself, the best out of your teammates, and what’s also huge for us is the competition for places – it keeps us all hungry as individuals. We all know that if we’re not at it, someone will be there to take our shirt – wherever that be on the pitch.”
“We’ve been able to do that and we’re building a good start – we’ve dominated every game we’ve played in all competitions this season. If you take the penalties out of those games, we’d have kept clean sheets.”
Wright then goes on to acknowledge the differences for Phil Parkinson’s team from playing matches behind-closed-doors, claiming the Wearside support is one thing the players are missing.
The vice-captain also speaks of the focus among the group to achieve what everyone at Sunderland is desperate to achieve.
“We definitely miss the atmosphere, as it can have such an effect on games. The fans who usually would come and support us in their numbers home and away are brilliant – there have been games on the road for instance where we’ve brought more supporters than the opponents’ home fans. Of course, we really miss that.
“We have to have that added motivation for each other and ability to keep each other organised, and without the fans there to back us we have to make sure we’re always there for each other on the pitch.
“Of course, we know the fans’ and the club’s expectation of us is promotion. Our goals are the same goals. We push to achieve these every day in training and eventually we’re confident the results will come. We have the same common philosophy at the club and amongst the team which doesn’t change, and it helps us all focus towards achieving that. There is a lot of football to go, and a lot of games to concentrate on.”