Sunderland legend Micky Gray and pundit Clinton Morrison have praised Alex Neil's start to life at Sunderland and given their verdicts on the club's transfer business so far as well as their promotion prospects. The Black Cats have made an unbeaten start to life in the Championship, but have exited the Carabao Cup in the first round folllowing defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.
The Black Cats boss named a completely changed starting eleven from the side which won at Bristol City on Saturday, with a debut handed to goalkeeper Alex Bass. However, the 18-game unbeaten run came to an end as goals from Dennis Adeniran and Sylla Sow secured a 2-0 win for the Owls.
Attention will now turn to the league clash with Queens Park Rangers, as Sunderland aim to register their first home win of the season. Here is everything presenter Mark Chapman, Black Cats legend Micky Gray and pundit Clinton Morrison had to say ahead of kick-off at Hillsborough.
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MC: Do you think he's surprised the Sunderland fans?
MG: Absolutely. I don't think he was the number one choice when he walked through the door, but what he has done...he's walked through that door and got a reaction from the players.
He certainly needed a reaction because the away performances weren't great at the time. He's grounded, he's level-headed, he gets the best out of his players, he's an organiser, and I think the squad that he's got right now, he's quite happy with.
I don't think it's quite finished until that transfer window is closed. But what a start to the Championship this season after four years out.
MC: Do you think they needed somebody grounded and calm and down to earth?
CM: Yeah definitely, and that's Alex Neil. He's come in and done a terrific job. This is a big club, we all kept saying they're too big to be in League One.
Many managers tried to get them out, he's done that. He went in there at a difficult time when there was a lot of unrest at the club, and he produced.
He's done fantastic, and he'll do well in the Championship. I think with a couple more signings, they have an outside chance this season.
MC: Let's look at the signings that they have made so far. Jack Clarke stands out, he was on loan. He joined Tottenham from Leeds, but didn't quite cut through there.
They've got Dan Ballard from Arsenal for a couple of million. They've taken Ellis Simms who was good at Hearts last season on loan from Everton. That young market or players with a point to prove is where they are looking.
MG: Absolutely, and Clint will back me up here, I think bringing in Simms...he is kind of that big, tall, strong centre-forward. I can see him and Ross Stewart playing up front like we saw at the weekend.
The goals, they've got that physicality and the importance of scoring goals in the Championship is absolutely key.
CM: They'll score goals with this man creating, Patrick Roberts. He scored the winning goal here last season, and he was outstanding.
You looked at Patrick Roberts before and he's been brilliant to be fair, he creates a lot of chances and you're just thinking he's a hell of a player.
MC: He's another example of a young player who had a big move and it didn't quite work out and has a point to prove.
MG: Absolutely, I think he's got a wonderful left foot. He works from the right-hand side, he's got such great ability when he picks up the ball, he wants to take on defenders, he wants to cause a problem in that final third.
As we saw in that semi-final playoff second leg, he came up with the winning goal. He had absolutely nothing left, his energy levels were completely gone but he just found that moment to stick the ball in the back of the net. He's a real talent.
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