2021–22 Sunderland A.F.C. season explained

Club:Sunderland
Season:2021–22
Owner:Kyril Louis-Dreyfus
Chairman:Kyril Louis-Dreyfus
Manager:Lee Johnson
(until 30 January)[1]
Alex Neil
(from 11 February)[2]
Mgrtitle:Head Coach
Stadium:Stadium of Light
League:League One
League Result:5th (promoted via playoffs)
Cup1:Play-offs
Cup1 Result:Winners
Cup2:FA Cup
Cup2 Result:First round
Cup3:EFL Cup
Cup3 Result:Quarter-finals
Cup4:EFL Trophy
Cup4 Result:Second round
League Topscorer:
Ross Stewart
(24)
Season Topscorer:
Ross Stewart
(26)
Highest Attendance:44,742 v. Sheffield Wednesday (League One play-offs)
38,395 v. Doncaster Rovers (League)
Lowest Attendance:26,516 v. Morecambe
Average Attendance:31,421
Prevseason:2020–21
Nextseason:2022–23
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The 2021–22 season was Sunderland's 143rd year in their history and fourth consecutive season in League One. Along with the league, the club competed in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the EFL Trophy. The season covers the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.

Sunderland finished fifth in the regular season, entering the EFL League One play-offs. They beat Sheffield Wednesday over two legs in the semi-final and Wycombe Wanderers in the final at Wembley to secure a return to the EFL Championship.

First team squad

Squad No.NameNationalityPosition(s)AgeEndsSigned fromAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1Lee BurgeGK2022 Coventry City610
20Anthony PattersonGK2023Academy60
31Jacob CarneyGK2023 Manchester United00
35Harrison BondGK2022Academy00
39Ron-Thorben HoffmannGK2022 Bayern Munich (loan)40
47Jack McIntyreGK2023 Everton00
Defenders
2Niall HugginsRB2025 Leeds United40
5Danny BatthCB2023 Stoke City00
6Callum DoyleCB2022 Manchester City (loan)100
16Jordan WillisCB2022 Coventry City602
17Dennis CirkinLB2024 Tottenham Hotspur90
19Arbenit XhemajliCB2022 Neuchâtel Xamax10
26Bailey WrightCB2022 Bristol City563
30Patrick AlmondCB2023Academy00
32Trai HumeRB2026 Linfield00
34Tyrese DyceLB2023 West Brom00
38Cameron JessupCB2023 Crystal Palace00
40Nathan NewallLB2023 Guiseley00
41Kenton RichardsonRB2022 Hartlepool United00
42Ethan KachosaRB2023 Leeds United00
58Zak JohnsonRB172023Academy00
Midfielders
4Corry EvansCM2023 Blackburn Rovers60
8Elliot EmbletonAM2022Academy222
11Lynden GoochAM2022Academy17524
13Luke O'NienCM2024 Wycombe Wanderers15013
15Carl WinchesterCM2023 Forest Green Rovers314
18Ellis TaylorLW2024Academy10
21Alex PritchardAM2023 Huddersfield Town100
23Jack DiamondRW2024Academy385
24Dan NeilCM2023Academy191
25Jack ClarkeRW2022 Tottenham Hotspur (loan)00
27Jay MateteCM2026 Fleetwood Town00
28Aiden McGeadyLW2022 Everton14435
36Cieran DunneLW2022 Falkirk00
43Harrison SohnaCM2023 Aston Villa00
45Stephen WearneAM2022 Middlesbrough00
46Sam WildingDM2022 West Brom00
51Thomas ScottCM182023 Northampton Town00
52Joseph RyderLW172023Academy00
53Ben MiddlemasCM172023Academy00
60Caden KellyCM172023Academy00
77Patrick RobertsRW2022 Manchester City00
Forwards
7Leon DajakuST2022 Union Berlin (loan)42
9Nathan BroadheadST2022 Everton (loan)61
10Jermain DefoeST2022 Rangers9337
14Ross StewartST2023 Ross County2410
22Will GriggST2022 Wigan Athletic578
37Will HarrisST2022 Burnley00
48Benjamin Mbunga-KimpiokaST2022 IK Sirius143

Pre-season friendlies

Sunderland announced they will play friendlies against Spennymoor Town,[3] Heart of Midlothian,[4] York City,[5] Harrogate Town,[6] Tranmere Rovers[7] and Hull City[8] as part of the club's pre season preparations.

Competitions

League One

See main article: 2021–22 EFL League One.

Matches

The Black Cats fixtures were released on 24 June 2021.[9]

Play-offs

See main article: 2022 English Football League play-offs.

Sunderland finished 5th in the regular 2021–22 EFL League One season, so were drawn against 4th placed Sheffield Wednesday in the Play-off Semi Final. The first leg took place at the Stadium of Light and the second leg took place at Hillsborough.

FA Cup

See main article: 2021–22 FA Cup.

Sunderland were drawn at home to Mansfield Town in the first round.[10]

EFL Cup

See main article: 2021–22 EFL Cup.

Sunderland were drawn away to Port Vale,[11] Blackpool,[12] [13] Wigan Athletic,[14] [15] Queens Park Rangers[16] and Arsenal[17] in the first, second, third and fourth rounds and quarter final respectively.

EFL Trophy

See main article: 2021–22 EFL Trophy.

Sunderland were drawn into Northern Group F alongside Bradford City, Lincoln City and Manchester United U21s.[18] Two of the three group games were confirmed on July 22.[19]

Player statistics

Appearance summary

|-! colspan="18" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Goalkeepers|-! colspan="18" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Defenders

|-! colspan="18" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Midfielders|-! colspan="18" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Forwards|}

Goals record

Rank No. Nat. Po. Name Total
114ST24000226
29STNathan Broadhead 10021013
38AMElliot Embleton 800019
410STAiden O'Brien 204006
5Own Goal 500005
57FWLeon Dajaku 400004
14CMLuke O'Nien 301004
21MFAlex Pritchard 400004
24CMDan Neil 300104
615CMCarl Winchester 300003
28LWAiden McGeady 300003
745CM000202
26CBBailey Wright 200002
4MFCorry Evans 200002
77MFPatrick Roberts 100012
83CBTom Flanagan 100002
5DFDanny Batth 100002
6DFCallum Doyle 100002
25MF100002
48FWBenjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka 100001
27AMJosh Hawkes 001001
34DFTyrese Dyce 000101
Total 79085496

Penalties record

Excludes penalties taken during Penalty shoot-outs.

Rank! rowspan="2"
No.Nat.Po.NameLeague OneFA CupEFL CupEFL TrophyTotalConversion Ratio
Scored Missed Scored Missed Scored Missed Scored Missed Scored Missed Scored Missed
114 ST 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 80%
228 LW Aiden McGeady 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 100%
310 ST Aiden O'Brien 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 100%
411 MF Lynden Gooch 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0%
Total 72001000008280%

Assists record

Rank No. Nat. Po. Name Total
121MFAlex Pritchard 7030212
224CMDan Neil 701008
8AMElliot Embleton 601108
311MFLynden Gooch 600006
428LWAiden McGeady 400004
510STAiden O'Brien 100203
7FWLeon Dajaku 300003
6DFCallum Doyle 300003
14STRoss Stewart300003
25MF200013
617DFDennis Cirkin 200002
4MFCorry Evans 200002
715CMCarl Winchester 100001
14CMLuke O'Nien 100001
3CBTom Flanagan 100001
26CBBailey Wright 100001
27MFJay Matete 100001
77MFPatrick Roberts 100001
2DFNiall Huggins 001001
23MF001001
18MFEllis Taylor 000101
Total 52074366

Disciplinary record

Rank No. Nat.Po. Name League OneEFL CupTotal
14CMCorry Evans 9001001000000001100
17LBDennis Cirkin 10000000000001001100
211RWLynden Gooch 7000002001000001000
315CMCarl Winchester 801000000000000801
43CBTom Flanagan 800000000000000800
13CMLuke O'Nien 500000200000100800
14STRoss Stewart 600000100000100800
58AMElliot Embleton 501000100000000601
26DFBailey Wright 500100100000000700
27MFJay Matete 600000000000100700
621AMAlex Pritchard 300000000100100500
76CBCallum Doyle 200000200000000400
24MFDan Neil 400000000000000400
25MFJack Clarke 300000000000000300
89FWNathan Broadhead 200000000000000200
918LWEllis Taylor 000000100000000100
23RWJack Diamond 000000100000000100
25CBOliver Younger 000000100000000100
28MFAiden McGeady 010000000000000010
30DFPatrick Almond 000000000100000100
34DFTyrese Dyce 000000000100000100
10STAiden O'Brien 100000000000000100
33DFDenver Hume 000000100000000100
5DFDanny Batth 100000000000000100
77MFPatrick Roberts 100000000000000100
7MFLeon Dajaku 100000000000000100
10FWJermain Defoe 100000000000000100
Total 8812200140040050011312

Transfers

Transfers in

DatePositionNationalityNameFromFeeRef.
1 July 2021 Cameron Jessup Free transfer [20]
1 July 2021 Free transfer
1 July 2021 Nathan Newall Free transfer
1 July 2021 Free transfer
1 July 2021 Tom ScottFree transfer
1 July 2021 Tyrese DyceFree transfer
2 July 2021 Jacob Carney Free transfer [21]
9 July 2021 Free transfer [22]
15 July 2021 Free transfer [23]
11 August 2021 Undisclosed [24]
20 August 2021 Undisclosed [25]
26 August 2021 Jack McIntyre Free transfer [26]
22 December 2021 Undisclosed [27]
4 January 2022 Trai Hume Undisclosed [28]
18 January 2022 Free transfer [29]
21 January 2022 Undisclosed [30]
1 February 2022 Free transfer [31]
1 February 2022 Undisclosed [32]
3 March 2022 Ugonna Emenike [33]

Loans in

Date fromPositionNationalityNameFromDate untilRef.
16 July 2021 End of season [34]
13 August 2021 End of season (terminated in January 2022) [35] [36]
16 August 2021 End of season [37]
31 August 2021 End of season [38]
31 August 2021 End of season [39]
26 January 2022 End of season [40]

Loans out

Date fromPositionNationalityNameToDate untilRef.
31 August 2021 End of season [41]
31 August 2021 End of season [42]
31 August 2021 25 January 2022 [43]
24 September 2021 20 November 2021 [44]
30 September 2021 28 October 2021 [45]
12 November 2021 15 December 2021 [46]
31 December 2021 End of the Season [47]
31 December 2021 Sam Wilding 5 February 2022 [48]
6 January 2022 End of season [49]
7 January 2022 End of season [50]
13 January 2022 Jack McIntyre 10 February 2022 [51]
14 January 2022 End of season [52]
24 March 2022 May 2022 [53]
24 March 2022 Sam Wilding End of season

Transfers out

DatePositionNationalityNameToFeeRef.
30 June 2021 Bobby Beaumont Released [54] [55]
30 June 2021 Released [56]
30 June 2021 Released [57]
30 June 2021 Released [58]
30 June 2021 Retired Retired [59] [60]
30 June 2021 Released [61]
30 June 2021 Released [62]
30 June 2021 Released [63] [64]
30 June 2021 Released [65]
30 June 2021 Released [66]
30 June 2021 Released [67]
30 June 2021 Released [68]
30 June 2021 Ryan Wombwell Released [69]
1 July 2021 Mutual consent [70] [71]
7 July 2021 Free transfer [72]
16 July 2021 Oliver Basey Free transfer [73]
20 September 2021 Francis Okoronkwo Undisclosed [74]
19 January 2022 Undisclosed [75]
25 January 2022 Undisclosed [76]
26 January 2022 Undisclosed [77]
31 January 2022 Undisclosed [78]
31 January 2022 Undisclosed [79]
24 March 2022 [80]
31 March 2022 Undisclosed [81]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lee Johnson leaves Sunderland AFC . Sunderland AFC . 30 January 2022.
  2. Web site: Alex Neil: Sunderland appoint ex-Norwich and Preston boss as new head coach . BBC Sport . 11 February 2022 . 11 February 2022.
  3. Web site: Lads set to face Spennymoor Town . Sunderland AFC . 2 June 2021.
  4. Web site: Lads head to Hearts . Sunderland AFC . 12 July 2021.
  5. Web site: Lads to face York in July . Sunderland AFC . 11 June 2021.
  6. Web site: Lads confirm July visit to Harrogate . Sunderland AFC . 22 June 2021.
  7. Web site: Lads to face Tranmere Rovers . Sunderland AFC . 29 June 2021.
  8. Web site: Hull friendly confirmed . Sunderland AFC . 7 July 2021.
  9. Web site: 2021-22 fixtures released . Sunderland AFC . 24 June 2021.
  10. News: EFL Clubs Enter The Emirates FA Cup, Following Sunday's First Round Proper Draw . 18 October 2021 . The Football Association . 17 October 2021.
  11. Web site: Lads travel to Port Vale . Sunderland AFC . 24 June 2021.
  12. Web site: Carabao Cup Round Two draw confirmed . EFL . 12 August 2021.
  13. Web site: Blackpool fixture confirmed . Sunderland AFC . 18 August 2021.
  14. Web site: Carabao Cup Round Three draw confirmed . EFL . 25 August 2021.
  15. Web site: Date for Wigan tie confirmed . Sunderland AFC . 8 September 2021.
  16. Web site: Carabao Cup Round Four draw: confirmed ties . English Football League . 23 September 2021.
  17. Web site: Carabao Cup Quarter-Final: Confirmed ties . English Football League . 30 October 2021.
  18. Web site: Papa John's Trophy draw . Sunderland AFC . 25 June 2021.
  19. Web site: Lincoln and Bradford fixture dates confirmed . Sunderland AFC . 22 July 2021.
  20. Web site: Under 23 squad takes shape . Sunderland AFC - Official Site . 1 July 2021.
  21. Web site: Carney completes move. Sunderland AFC - Official Site . 2 July 2021.
  22. Web site: SAFC sign Alex Pritchard . Sunderland AFC . 9 July 2021.
  23. Web site: Corry Evans joins SAFC . Sunderland AFC . 15 July 2021.
  24. Web site: Dennis Cirkin joins SAFC . Sunderland AFC . 11 August 2021.
  25. Web site: Huggins signs four-year deal . Sunderland AFC . 20 August 2021.
  26. Web site: Jack McIntyre joins SAFC . Sunderland AFC . 26 August 2021.
  27. Web site: Gyimah joins U23 squad . Sunderland AFC . 22 December 2021.
  28. Web site: Trai Hume signs up . Sunderland AFC . 4 January 2022.
  29. Web site: Danny Batth signs for SAFC . Sunderland AFC . 19 January 2022.
  30. Web site: Patrick Roberts signs for Sunderland . Sunderland AFC . 21 January 2022.
  31. News: One Last Dance: Defoe returns to Sunderland . Sunderland AFC . 1 February 2022.
  32. News: Jay Matete signs for Sunderland . Sunderland AFC . 1 February 2022.
  33. Web site: Emenike joins Under-23s . Sunderland AFC . 4 March 2022.
  34. Web site: Callum Doyle joins on loan . Sunderland AFC . 16 July 2021.
  35. Web site: Frederik Alves joins on loan . BBC . 13 August 2021.
  36. Web site: Sunderland have cut short Frederik Alves loan spell . The Northern Echo . en.
  37. Web site: Broadhead arrives on loan . Sunderland AFC . 17 August 2021.
  38. Web site: Leon Dajaku signs on loan . Sunderland AFC . 31 August 2021.
  39. Web site: SAFC sign Thorben Hoffmann . Sunderland AFC . 1 September 2021.
  40. Web site: Sunderland loan for Clarke . Tottenham Hotspur FC . 26 January 2022.
  41. Web site: Diamond departs on loan . Sunderland AFC . 31 August 2021.
  42. Web site: Grigg joins Rotherham United . 31 August 2021 . Sunderland AFC . 1 September 2021.
  43. Web site: Hawkes joins Tranmere Rovers . 2 September 2021 . Sunderland AFC . 2 September 2021.
  44. News: Patterson joins Notts County . 24 September 2021 . Sunderland Association Football Club . 24 September 2021.
  45. News: Kimpioka joins Southend . 4 October 2021 . Sunderland Association Football Club . 30 September 2021.
  46. News: Kenton Richardson has signed for Spennymoor on loan . 17 November 2021 . The Northern Echo . 12 November 2021.
  47. Web site: Patterson and Wilding depart. 31 December 2021.
  48. Web site: Patterson and Wilding depart. 31 December 2021.
  49. Web site: Will Harris joins Barrow . 6 January 2022 . Sunderland AFC . 6 January 2022.
  50. Web site: Stephen Wearne Joins United On Loan . 7 January 2022 . Torquay United FC . 7 January 2022.
  51. Web site: McIntyre joins Radcliffe FC . 13 January 2022 . Sunderland AFC . 13 January 2022.
  52. Web site: Almond joins Blyth Spartans . 14 January 2022 . Sunderland AFC . 14 January 2022.
  53. Web site: Dyce and Wilding depart on loan . Sunderland AFC . 25 March 2022.
  54. Web site: Under 23 players set to depart . June 2021 . Sunderland AFC - Official Site . 1 June 2021.
  55. Web site: Two new additions to the squad. www.caernarfontownfc.co.uk.
  56. Web site: QosFC: Welcome - Lee Connelly. www.qosfc.com.
  57. Web site: Sunderland's Mitch Curry set to join David Beckham's Inter Miami . 9 March 2021 . ChronicleLive . 16 June 2021.
  58. Web site: Whitby sign Jake Hackett on a permanent deal . WhitbyTownFC.com . 14 August 2021.
  59. Web site: Legend Leadbitter Announces Retirement . mfc.co.uk . 14 September 2021.
  60. Web site: Legend Leadbitter Announces Retirement . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CTysx2loU8k . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram.com . 14 September 2021.
  61. Web site: Maguire Brings Experience To Imps Squad . Lincoln City FC . 7 July 2021.
  62. Web site: Goalkeeper Remi Matthews Joins The Eagles . Crystal Palace FC . 13 July 2021.
  63. Web site: Retained list confirmed . 25 May 2021 . Sunderland AFC - Official Site . 25 May 2021.
  64. Web site: Crewe Sign Defender Callum McFazdean . Crewe Alexandra FC . 30 July 2021.
  65. News: Conor McLaughlin is back at Fleetwood Town . 8 October 2021 . Fleetwood Town Official Site . 7 October 2021.
  66. Web site: Max Power Returns! . Wigan Athletic FC . 16 June 2021.
  67. Web site: Scowen's coming home! . Wycombe Wanderers FC . 29 June 2021.
  68. Web site: Quakers sign centre half Brandon Taylor . Darlington FC . 13 August 2021.
  69. Web site: Ryan Wombwell Signs . Gateshead FC . 16 June 2021 . 24 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195714/https://www.gateshead-fc.com/news/ryan-wombwell-signs-2620504.html . dead .
  70. Web site: Dobson leaves Sunderland AFC . July 2021 . Sunderland AFC . 1 July 2021.
  71. Web site: Combative midfielder George Dobson signs for the Addicks . Charlton Athletic FC . 1 July 2021.
  72. Web site: Charlie Wyke Joins Latics! . Wigan Athletic FC . 7 July 2021.
  73. Web site: Oliver Basey Joins Blues . Birmingham City FC . 16 July 2021.
  74. Web site: Francis Okoronkwo joins Everton . 20 September 2021 . Sunderland Association Football Club . 20 September 2021.
  75. Web site: Younger joins Doncaster Rovers . 19 January 2022 . Sunderland AFC . 19 January 2022.
  76. Web site: Josh Hawkes joins Tranmere . Sunderland AFC . 25 January 2022.
  77. Web site: Pompey Complete Hume Signing . Portsmouth FC . 26 January 2022.
  78. Web site: Shrewsbury Town sign Tom Flanagan on a two-and-a-half year deal . Shrewsbury Town . 1 February 2022.
  79. Web site: O'Brien joins Portsmouth . Sunderland AFC . 31 January 2022.
  80. Web site: Jermain Defoe announces retirement . Sunderland AFC . 25 March 2022.
  81. Web site: Kimpioka joins AIK Fotboll . Sunderland AFC . 1 April 2022.

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