Sunderland supporters have now seen both sides of the coin following a brilliant away win at Reading earlier this week. The Black Cats have not had it easy since their return to the Championship, first losing manager Alex Neil to Stoke City relatively out of the blue, then losing Ross Stewart to injury and now Ellis Simms.
The Wearsiders were shown the cruel reality of life back in the second tier, with a disappointing performance in the Tees-Wear derby, with Stewart's injury a real blow. In truth, it was an alarming display in the final third, one where they created almost nothing of note.
You'd be forgiven for expecting a case of deja vu at the Select Car Leasing Stadium when Simms was forced off the field of play with an injury, leaving Tony Mowbray without any fit strikers at the club. However, in an impressive display, Sunderland actually improved and ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, with a brace from Patrick Roberts and a superb team goal rounded off by Jack Clarke.
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Paul Ince's throwaway comment about the Royals making Sunderland look like 'Barcelona' acted as both praise for the Black Cats but also an insight into how poor his side were. For side that was unbeaten at home prior to kick-off, Reading showed no signs of posing any real threat to the red and white defence.
The Wearsiders' head coach moved Alex Pritchard into a false-nine with Elliot Embleton coming on in the middle of midfield. The Academy of Light graduate played a big part in both of Roberts' goals, just minutes after coming onto the field.
The 23-year-old certainly played his way into contention with his performance. It's clear the technical ability is there, but consistency has been the reason he's flitted in and out of the side.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game following the loss of Simms and about his side's technical ability, Mowbray said: "It's tough, especially with Ross Stewart out as well. We lost a lot of physicality, I think.
"The team's not the biggest and strongest anyway but it's pretty technical and we had to keep moving the ball really. Right from the kick-off I think we gave them problems with possession and keeping the ball off them.
"It wasn't a major problem, other than any set-plays or corners became major problems. Listen, I'm delighted for them tonight, they worked really hard. We worked a lot - obviously after we lost Ross [Stewart] and we didn't score against Middlesbrough although we really came into that game second-half and we couldn't score - we'd done a lot of work on making sure that it doesn't become a common theme and we need people to step up, mostly Patrick [Roberts] stepped up tonight and the wide attackers really stepped up tonight.
"Jack scored as well and there were some brilliant goals. The quality is there and you see it in training. Yet, they're quite diminutive and quite small, yet wonderful technique.
"Patrick Roberts, the ball stuck to his foot in training, it's amazing to watch. I'm delighted for him that in our hour of need, with the strikers disappearing in front of our eyes, that he can step up and do what he can do."
At times Sunderland were mesmerising to watch and as for their third goal, you'll struggle to find a better team goal in the Championship this season. The one touch, two touch play from Patterson's goal-kick up until Clarke rolled the ball into the Reading net, took just 17 seconds.
The technical ability of the group has never been in question, but Mowbray himself has hinted at an area that Sunderland are weak in. The loss of Simms and Stewart means a lack of physicality in forward areas of the pitch, but their defensive work is also affected.
The club's decision not to bring in a striker in the summer will now be placed under the microscope if they don't get a run of good results in the absence of the aforementioned duo. The board, supporters and fans will be hoping the 'Barcelona' of the Championship becomes a tag they're referred to consistently, rather than a one off occasion.
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