There’s an unmistakable buzz in the air around Sunderland as both the women’s and men’s teams prepare for pivotal moments in their respective campaigns. With the highly anticipated Tyne-Wear derby set to electrify St James’ Park, Sunderland Women are eager to bounce back from a recent setback, while the men’s side, led by Régis Le Bris, continues to draw praise for their impressive Premier League form and the seamless integration of a fresh wave of summer signings.
For Sunderland Women, the stakes could hardly be higher. On Sunday, November 16, 2025, they’ll step onto the hallowed turf of St James’ Park to face Newcastle United in the latest edition of the storied Tyne-Wear derby. It’s a fixture that’s always captured the imagination of the North East, and with around 20,000 fans expected in attendance, the atmosphere promises to be nothing short of electric. Captain Rhiannon Roberts, set to experience her first derby in Sunderland colours, summed up the squad’s mood: “The vibes are good this week and everyone is excited for the derby.”
Roberts and her teammates are determined to use the derby as a springboard after a disappointing home loss to Portsmouth in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2. “We’ve had a couple of poor results this week, so it will give us a good opportunity to put the wrongs right,” Roberts told safc.com. She emphasized that the margins between victory and defeat have been razor-thin in recent outings. “We’ve been through the analysis, and it’s been fine margins. We are dominating and controlling games, so it has been disappointing not coming away with anything. Hopefully we can start turning chances into goals as soon as possible.”
The Lasses, as they’re affectionately known, have built a reputation for being a close-knit, hardworking group. Their captain is quick to highlight the unity and resilience that have become hallmarks of this Sunderland side. “I’m really enjoying it – the girls are great. We are a tight-knit group and work hard on and off the pitch,” Roberts said. That camaraderie will be crucial as they look to climb the league table in the coming weeks.
Consistency, according to Roberts, is the key to unlocking Sunderland’s potential. The league is fiercely competitive, with every team capable of taking points off anyone else. “Everyone takes points off everyone in this league and it’s really, really tight,” Roberts noted. “I believe we’ll be pushing the top half of the league. It’s about consistency for us. Our main objective is to get three points this weekend, regardless of how we do it.”
While this will be Roberts’ first taste of the Tyne-Wear derby, she’s confident that the experience of teammates who featured in last season’s clash will be invaluable. “Some of the players who played in this game last year have that experience behind them, so hopefully that will give us a boost,” she explained. The sense of occasion isn’t lost on anyone in the Sunderland camp. “We want to play in big games like this. It’s a derby game so we have to earn the right to play our football, and we are all looking forward to that derby fight. I think we thrive in moments like these and we’re all really looking forward to it.”
As the women’s team gears up for derby day, Sunderland’s men’s squad is also riding a wave of optimism. Under the guidance of French manager Régis Le Bris, the Black Cats have enjoyed a blistering start to their Premier League campaign, currently sitting fourth after 11 games—a position that’s turned heads both domestically and abroad. The club’s French-speaking contingent, in particular, has drawn attention for its rapid adaptation and influence on Wearside.
Le Bris, addressing the media ahead of last week’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Stadium of Light, was effusive in his praise for two players who have set the tone for Sunderland’s 13 summer recruits: Wilson Isidor and Enzo Le Fée. “Their adaptation has been excellent. We’ve kept the main language as English [around the training ground], but for most of them, their English is good,” Le Bris explained. He believes the club’s collective energy and shared objectives have fostered a natural cohesion among players of varying backgrounds and ages—pointing to the likes of Granit, at 33, and Noah Sadiki, just 20, as examples of this unity.
“There is a collective energy that has emerged naturally, mostly because of the shared objectives. There are always very different stories, between a Granit on one side and a Noah Sadiki on the other. One is 33 years old and the other is 20. And yet they find themselves sharing the pleasure of playing football, of communicating together, of growing together, with the same desire to become a better player and a better team,” Le Bris said. He credits Isidor and Le Fée with helping to establish this culture from the outset. “One of the first was Wilson or Enzo who despite their previous status, they gave everything for the club. They worked very hard, they showed humility. And in return, there is a good cohesion.”
Le Bris singled out Enzo Le Fée’s recent performances for special mention. While the midfielder was at fault for Arsenal’s opening goal, his form in recent weeks has been nothing short of impressive, cementing his place as first choice on the left flank. “I’m really pleased with the dynamic of Enzo,” Le Bris admitted. “He started a bit slowly this season for different reasons. Maybe physical reasons, maybe the new set-up, his position as well. So we had many conversations. I trust him 100 per cent, his mentality and his potential level at this Premier League. After that, it’s a long journey with a new team, new teammates, and we finally found a good position with different references.”
The tactical evolution on Sunderland’s left side, involving Noah, Rei, and Lucha, has added an extra dimension to their play. “So I think the left triangle with Noah, Rei, even with the support of Lucha, for example, is really interesting. It’s really difficult to understand how they behave because they are combining, they are moving with their own creativity, and it takes time. It’s not like just one training session and the output will be positive. He’s doing well now,” Le Bris explained.
As both Sunderland teams look ahead—one to a derby that could define their season, the other to sustaining a remarkable league run—the sense of unity and shared purpose is palpable. Whether it’s the women’s squad seeking redemption in front of a massive crowd at St James’ Park, or the men’s side blending new faces into a cohesive force, the Black Cats are firmly on the rise.
With the Tyne-Wear derby just hours away and the Premier League campaign still in full swing, Sunderland fans have every reason to be excited. The next chapter is about to unfold, and all eyes are on Wearside to see how these ambitious squads will seize their moment.
