Sunderland interim boss Mike Dodds has now been proved right about one Black Cats player in particular.
Sunderland finished the 2023/24 season in 16th, with Dodds overseeing his third and likely final spell as interim manager.
He took two wins from 14 games. It came after Michael Beale’s equally poor 12-game tenure, following the surprise sacking of Tony Mowbray at the end of 2023.
The Black Cats lost 2-0 against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season; their third-straight loss, with just one win in their final seven games of the campaign.
A number of Sunderland players have been criticised by pundits and fans alike for their poor performances in 2023/24, and drops offs in form from the previous season.
Patrick Roberts certainly falls into that category and so might Pierre Ekwah. But there’s definitely some players who come out of this season with praise.
Jack Clarke is one, Trai Hume and Dan Ballard another two. But one who’s gone under the radar, or at least in the eyes of Dodds, is Dan Neil.
Mike Dodds now proved right about Dan Neil at Sunderland
Sunderland academy graduate Neil, 22, featured 42 times in the Championship this season, scoring four and assisting five more in what was his third full season as a first-team player.
But he missed the final three games through injury; three games which Sunderland, perhaps not coincidentally, lost.
Neil’s last game was the 1-0 win at West Brom. But it was the 0-0 draw at Leeds United in the game before where Neil earned high praise from Dodds.
Dodds said after that game: “Tactically Dan Neil is unbelievable – he’s my voice on the pitch. He doesn’t get enough credit for that. I’ve got nothing but praise for him.”
And then seeing how Sunderland somewhat capitulated without Neil in the XI proves how important he is to the make up of the side; he’s now expected to make his return to action during pre-season.
Dan Neil may have one worry over next Sunderland manager
Neil is very much loved by Sunderland fans and of course Dodds, and for very good reason too.
Per Sofascore, Neil ended the season as the Sunderland player with the highest average rating behind only Clarke and Hume, as well as claiming the most assists, being fourth-highest scorer, and second-most big chances created (5).
But not only is he a player who will put in the numbers in terms of passes, goals and assists and so on, like Dodds says, he’s a very tactical player.
Neil was someone who Dodds and likely Mowbray and Beale as well could entrust with the game plan, and be confident that Neil would go out on the pitch and relay whatever messages were required.
He’s someone who supported the club as a kid and definitely has an affinity with the club, so managers can trust Neil.
Though whoever the next manager, they’ll want to look at everybody on a clean slate, and especially if Dodds leaves, Neil’s role at the club could potentially change.
The next manager may not look upon Neil as the tactical genius that Dodds does and going off of how poorly Sunderland finished the season without Neil, it would be a huge mistake from the next manager to not think of Neil in that same way.
But his talent is clear. The next boss will know how good Neil is and what he brings to the table, and the next manager may even be able to help Neil take his game to the next level.