Luke O’Nien’s 14-word message to Sunderland fans after 2-0 win against Cardiff City in Championship
Luke O’Nien has reacted to Sunderland win against Cardiff City on Saturday
Sunderland’s club captain Luke O’Nien has delivered a short but sweet message to fans post Cardiff City.
The Black Cats won their first game of the new Championship season under new head coach Régis Le Bris in Wales against Cardiff City. Luke O’Nien scored Sunderland’s opening goal after Dennis Cirkin poked across Patrick Roberts’ free-kick.
Sunderland then doubled their lead in the second half with Jobe Bellingham setting up Jack Clarke for a trademark finish in front of a raucous away end at the Cardiff City Stadium containing thousands of Wearsiders.
After the game, O’Nien took to social media to pay tribute to Sunderland supporters. He said: “Great start to the campaign from the boys in Wales. Thank you travelling fans!!!!”
Sunderland recently confirmed a new leadership group for the 2024-25 campaign, with O’Nien confirmed as the club captain following Corry Evans’ departure.
But O’Nien will not wear the armband on matchdays, with Dan Neil given the responsibility of leading the team through games. Sunderland have appointed a six-player leadership group, with Alan Browne, Jobe Bellingham, Trai Hume and Dan Ballard also handed additional responsibility.
Head coach Regis Le Bris said it was important to have a variety of different leaders on the pitch, and believes it is genuinely crucial to the team’s prospects over the course of the campaign.
“I think it’s a big part of the performance, the way we can lead the team during the games,” Le Bris said. “Often we want to choose one captain, who can solve all the problems. For me, it doesn’t work like that.
“As a team, we need to have many leaders. Some of them vocal, others will lead through how they make little adjustments. We want to create a group of leaders who understand the game, who have the ability to adjust the little details in a game. That will be my decision.”
About The Author
