Chris Rigg emphasizes squad competition following Sunderland victory over Hull City
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 11:08 AM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg says the squad is motivated by external predictions of a difficult season. The team recently secured a win against Hull City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. This result followed a draw against Brentford over the weekend, a match in which the side saw 11 lineup changes. Rigg noted that players are competing for starting roles as the club balances league commitments with upcoming European matches. The midfielder added that many players chose to remain with the club to pursue these goals. The team intends to approach the schedule on a game-by-game basis while leveraging its improved depth.
- •Sunderland defeated Hull City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
- •Managerial adjustments saw 11 lineup changes made from the previous match against Brentford.
- •Chris Rigg stated that the squad is fueled by underdog status and external relegation predictions.
- •Sunderland plans to balance league play with upcoming European fixtures.
- •Increased squad depth has created higher internal competition for starting places.
- 11:08 AMYahoo Sports — 'We've got a lot of players fighting for their place' - Rigg
"Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg says there is a "fighting spirit" among the squad to prove people wrong this season. Rigg was one of 11 changes made from the team that drew with Brentford on the weekend to the side that beat Hull City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, and believes there are a lot of players trying to earn their place. "It's been mentioned that we're one of the favourites to go down again and of course we hear that in the changing room and it fuels us for the coming weeks," Rigg said.
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