Just like that, another Sunderland pre-season tour comes to a close and there were one or two sore red and white heads flying back to the North East on Monday morning.
On the whole, it's been a rewarding trip for the Black Cats and Régis Le Bris as they take another step closer to the Championship curtain raiser. For supporters, it was an opportunity to watch their beloved side in the sun with a beer at hand.
The French head coach has a better understanding of the squad at his disposal and the week in the sun has been gruelling in terms of fitness for the players.
READ MORE: Key talking points from Sunderland's win against CD Eldense
Here are some of the key talking points from Sunderland's pre-season tour in Alicante:
Two stern tests
Cast your minds back 12 months and Tony Mowbray felt Sunderland's pre-season opposition hadn't tested them enough heading into the Championship campaign, until the final pre-season game against Mallorca at least.
This time round, there can be no such qualms. The Black Cats opening friendly of their Alicante tour saw them come up against a strong side in Nottingham Forest, drawing 1-1 with Nuno Espirito Santo's men.
While the Tricky Trees may have narrowly avoided relegation from the top flight last season, they were able to name two XI's packed with talent, which proved a good test for Le Bris' side.
It also signified the strength in depth needed if you want to compete in the top tier of English football. While the game may have ended in a draw and Sunderland were impressive in patches, it further highlights the gap from the Premier League to the Championship in terms of finances.
Sunderland take on Nottingham Forest in Alicante. (Image: We Are Sunderland)
The second friendly against CD Eldense, an opportunity for Le Bris to cast his eye over the rest of his Sunderland squad, taking on an outfit that were much more accustomed to the heat. The team that played on Sunday night was a mix of players returning from injury and those that found themselves on the periphery last season.
After a bright start and a moment of magic from Adil Aouchiche and Tommy Watson to open the scoring, it was the second tier Spanish side who dominated the game. Their high press caused Sunderland some issues, playing a key part in their goal, and they dominated from thereon out after Ingo Pina's equaliser.
Eldense had a number of good opportunities to win the tie, only to be denied by a number of big blocks from Joe Anderson and Simon Moore, before Luis Hemir Semedo popped up with a screamer to put the game to bed.
Le Bris once again made changes on the hour mark and 70th minute. Dan Neil's introduction from the bench a huge indicator - not that it were needed - of how important he is to this Sunderland side.
He glided around the pitch, looked after possession and instantly swung the balance of the tie in the Black Cats' favour. It's not until you see Sunderland without Neil, that you realise just how big an impact he has. Tying him down to a new deal this summer is just as important as any new additions.
Le Bris' blueprint and high press
"The ideas are there, and now we need to adjust these with each opposition to respect them," Le Bris told We Are Sunderland after the win over Eldense. "For example, we tried today to be strong on man-for-man marking when the goalkeeper had the ball - sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't work.
"With these experiences, we learn what is needed to solve these problems. With one, two, three games more - it's going to be a lot better."
The head coach's comments certainly make for interesting reading. While he hinted that we'd see a 4-3-3 in possession and a 4-4-2 out of possession, which we have done, there's also been slight differences in the way in which his side pressed out in Alicante.
As you would expect, Forest had more of the ball and Sunderland sat in a mid-block and pressed well collectively, playing a part in their opener against the Premier League side. However, against Eldense where it was the Black Cats who were expected to have more of the ball, Le Bris got his side to press man-for-man out of possession.
They were a lot higher up the pitch than the previous game, and it made for an exciting encounter. Pressing in such a manner means individuals have to win their battles and it was interesting to see Sunderland operate with an alternative game plan, a new string to their bow, with different personnel.
READ MORE: Régis Le Bris' role in luring Alan Browne to Sunderland
Backroom staff
The question that every Sunderland fan wants to know at the moment is, what's the latest with bringing in a new member of backroom staff to support Le Bris?
"There's no update at the moment, we're still working on it," Le Bris said post-match. "I think we'll see next week or maybe a little bit later."
While it may not be the update fans were clamouring for, all signs still point to the club appointing a new face before the start of the new campaign. Their return to England should only speed that process up.
Chris Rigg
It's becoming increasingly difficult to not was lyrical about the talent of Sunderland youngster Chris Rigg. Tying him down to his first professional contract this summer was the first positive piece of transfer business this summer, his display against Nottingham Forest only backed that up.
Coming up against a Forest midfield full of quality - Morgan Gibbs-White to name but one - Rigg showed every bit of quality to suggest he can play at the very top. Not phased by those in the red shirt opposite, he's set for another big season, hopefully playing in the heart of midfield.
Despite his age, there's a maturity to his game that the very best have. Make no mistake about it, he's going to the top.
READ MORE: Sunderland's academy have concluded their camp in Italy
Jobe's touch of class
Someone else who knows about having a mature head on young shoulders is Jobe Bellingham. The versatile midfielder found himself playing just about every position he could last season but will hopefully find a nailed on role this season.
Away from the pitch, he showed his class to the travelling red and white army, the last one off the pitch posing for pictures and signing autographs after his cool down.
A real top class individual.
Jobe Bellingham the last off the pitch tonight after his cool down, taking pictures and signing autographs for the travelling #SAFC fans. pic.twitter.com/lu49KbRVo9
— Matty Hewitt (@MattyJHewitt) July 21, 2024
Recommended reading:
Quality not quantity needed in the transfer market
To end on a transfer note, quality over quantity remains the message for this summer's transfer window. Although Nazariy Rusyn, Eliezer Mayenda and Hemir have all impressed in their own way during pre-season, it's evident there's something missing from the final third.
Caen's 23- goal striker Alexandre Mendy has been repeatedly linked with the club in recent days, and although Sunderland are understood to be admirers, nothing had been agreed while out on tour.
The club are well aware that bringing in an experienced striker is a priority this summer, and Kristjaan Speakman hinted the club were in a good place. We're set for an interesting couple of weeks in the transfer market.
Read the rules here