Two Great Sunderland Sides…But Which Is Best?

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Sunderland's Nordi Mukiele celebrates scoring the opening goal with Enzo Le Fee and Reinildo Mandava during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium of Light on April 12, 2026 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images) | CameraSport via Getty Images Joseph Tulip says… Comparisons between two sides a quarter of a century apart are difficult because the game has changed in that time. Peter Reid’s team, during two second tier seasons ahead of the 1999 promotion, was known for playing attractive, attacking football.

You could say it was possession-based in an era when most sides were playing a very direct, route-one style. Once we reached the Premier League, however, Reid adopted a more pragmatic style. With Lee Clark no longer pulling the strings in midfield, we became more direct and it was highly effective with both Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips up front.

We had some superb professionals in those teams around the turn of the century, with the likes of Michael Gray, Stefan Schwarz, Nicky Summerbee, Steve Bould, Stan Varga, Emerson Thome and others standing out. But football has evolved to a level where players have a more defined role — especially in midfield, where you no longer see box-to-box schemers, for example. The game has also become more technical and I think our recruitment in 2025/2026 has taken us to a level which wouldn’t have seemed possible between 1999 and 2001.

We have several established internationals and players with Champions League experience, and their pedigree fits the requirements of the modern game where data is king. It’s a different footballing landscape now, but that’s not to underestimate the achievements of Reid’s side in finishing seventh twice. Both sides are of their time and I feel blessed to be watching the likes of Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Reinildo, Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, who are all on the same page with a great understanding of modern tactics and expectations.