AliousSunderland snapped their winless streak with a victory over Millwall on Saturday, but Jobe Bellingham insists the team is still targeting key enhancements as they gear up for the Championship’s final stretch.
The Black Cats secured a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light, kicking off their end-of-season push on a high note. Regis Le Bris’ squad claimed a convincing triumph, courtesy of Trai Hume’s stunning first-half volley, expertly set up by a pinpoint corner from Patrick Roberts.
Though they clinched the three points, Sunderland’s display against Millwall didn’t recapture the seamless flair that defined their earlier performances this season.
Nevertheless, the team holds a solid fourth place in the Championship standings, firmly on course for a play-off berth as the regular season nears its close.
After outplaying Alex Neil’s Millwall, the energetic Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham spoke post-match about two critical areas where Le Bris’ outfit aims to sharpen their game—improvements that could prove decisive in their quest for promotion.
Bellingham highlighted set-pieces as a focal point for growth.
Per whoscored.com, Sunderland have notched 12 set-piece goals this Championship campaign, accounting for 21% of their 56 total strikes. Among promotion contenders, Coventry lead with 14, while Derby County, battling relegation, top the league with 17.
Even though Sunderland outscore top-three sides Sheffield United, Leeds, and Burnley in this metric, Bellingham emphasized that boosting their set-piece output remains a priority.
Reflecting on Hume’s goal, he told Sunderland’s media team: “It’s an aspect we train on and talk about in meetings. Teams that thrive in this division often rely on a solid tally of set-piece goals. If we’re aiming for success, we need to diversify our scoring, and we’re beginning to see that happen.”
Beyond set-pieces, Bellingham also revealed the squad’s desire to rediscover their early-season “fluidity.” The 19-year-old, who impressed while representing England internationally, shared insights from his teammates about their recent efforts.
“While I was away, the lads told me they’ve been reviewing things, working to recapture that style—the fluidity we had at the season’s start,” he said.
“We’re focused on reigniting that spark and building momentum.”
Saturday’s win over Millwall could serve as a launchpad for Sunderland’s seven remaining crucial fixtures, starting with a clash against Tony Mowbray’s West Brom.
As Bellingham sees it, if the Black Cats can elevate their set-piece threat while restoring the dazzling form that thrilled fans earlier this year, they’ll pose a formidable challenge to any play-off rival standing in their way.
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