An unbeaten start in the league, five points from three games, impressive performances against established second tier opposition, a strikeforce that has hit the ground running. Alex Neil has plenty of reasons to be cheerful about way Sunderland have taken to life back in the Championship.
But there was not even a hint of a smile when the Scot faced the media in the aftermath of his side's 2-2 draw against QPR. Neil was inwardly seething. A study in controlled fury.
And after watching the way his side threw away a two-goal lead - and with it two points - in the most dramatic, crazy, incredible, final five minutes at the Stadium of Light, his frustration was entirely understandable. Invited to put aside the final moments and asked if he was pleased with the way his side had played over the preceding 85 minutes, he grimaced and said: "I might be tomorrow. I'm not pleased now."
