Phil Smith: Four reasons I'm positive about Sunderland from season so far - and a couple of early concerns

It has already been a dramatic start to the season for Sunderland, victorious on their return to European competition after 53 years but with some promising performances not always leading to positive results in the Premier League.

Here, we pick out some reasons to be cheerful from the opening fixtures and a couple of early concerns..

One of the biggest reasons for optimism coming into the campaign was that towards the end of last season, we had seen the start of an evolution in Sunderland's tactical approach that meant more chances created in open play and five goals scored in the final two games. Though as of yet they haven't been able to fully capitalise on it, one of the key reasons for positivity is that this is a trend that has continued into the new campaign. The numbers are admittedly a little skewed by that unusually open game at Man City, but in a tough opening run of fixtures Sunderland are right up there in the division for chances created and XG. Of course that means little if Sunderland aren't clinical enough to put teams to the sword, but with Enzo Le Fée thriving in his best position they are a different proposition in attack and at some stage that is going to lead to some crucial wins.

Sunderland handled first Europa League week well

Though the league results didn't reflect it, Sunderland produced three strong performances in their first week of Europa League action. Régis Le Bris rotated his side for AZ Alkmaar's visit to the Stadium of Light but kept the core in place, and was rewarded with a crucial win in an enjoyable and tight game. It meant that key figures such as Brian Brobbey were fresh for the visit to Manchester City on the Sunday, where the team performance was generally very good.

After the visit of Brighton to the Stadium of Light, Sunderland face a punishing three week of three away games and that will undoubtedly challenge Le Bris and his players. The positive is that if they kick on from that win against one of their strongest opponents in the league phase, the head coach will be a position where he might well be able to rotate a little further for the midweek games against lower-seeded opposition. That will help with the tough Premier League games either side, where it's hard to imagine teams can keep being as clinical and ruthless against the Black Cats as Arsenal and City were.

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Encouraging signs from summer arrivals

It is a little early to make a judgement on Malick Fofana following the chaos of his deadline-day move from Lyon, as he slowly edges his way up to full match sharpness and settles in his new surroundings. Likewise, Juan Riquelme Angulo has at this stage only had a few training sessions with his new teammates. Generally, though, there are some good signs from Sunderland's new arrivals and particularly in defence where the platform for the campaign ahead looks excellent. Thomas Meunier has immediately slotted into the side as a regular and though Le Bris's decision to play two full backs down that side continues to divide opinion, the experienced defender has already shown he remains a superb athlete and a very good footballer. A key figure in the dressing room, he looks a very savvy signing and so too does Kevin Danso, who has immediately become one of Le Bris's key players and will help the club manage the potential loss of Dan Ballard to a hamstring injury.

And though it was far from perfect with one or two early errors, Dayann Methalie came through an immensely demanding Premier League debut at Man City and showed he can offer a different dimension from left back with his pace and dribbling ability. Sunderland are improving as an all-round team but to succeed it is imperative they don't lose their defensive foundation. With this personnel, they shouldn't. A shout out to for Jules Ahoka, who will likely have a relatively limited role this season but who was outstanding on debut against Hull City in the Carabao Cup.

Individuals are improving - and with more clearly still to come

Brian Brobbey's hattrick at Manchester City vindicated the belief behind the scenes in the week or so previous that the striker was on the brink of a goalscoring run as he impressed on a daily basis in training. Though we face a nervy wait to understand the full extent of the hamstring injury he suffered on international duty, he is one of a number of players who were approaching their best form and fitness level before the break. Individually and collectively, this team still has more gears to go through.

Sunderland should have more points on the board given the general level of their performance, but key errors have cost them at crucial times. While those lapses that defined their opening-day loss to Ipswich Town could to an extent be explained by rustiness and some key absentees, they were again the architects of their own downfall at Man City. The positive is that it is far better to be conceding due to mistakes than because the general structure of the team is failing, which is clearly not the case. Even so, if it continues then it will mean Sunderland don't get the results their efforts deserve. Football is ultimately won and lost in the penalty boxes, and so far the Black Cats haven't been sharp enough at either end.

Availability was always going to have a big impact on Sunderland's ability to manage a demanding schedule. Habib Diarra's injury moments after his assist for Wilson Isidor against Fulham was one of the big frustrations of the opening games, while Dan Ballard has suffered an injury just when he looked to be back at his very best in recent weeks. Diarra is not far from a return and for now Sunderland have the depth to cope, while it's also worth noting that with the workload as it is injuries are simply inevitable. All the same, it's one area that could quickly check Sunderland's progress.