Ep 3. Plastic Shoes

As of now, this is an available episode description of Sunderland 'Til I Die season 1 episode 3 named 'Plastic Shoes':

The third episode of the first season of Sunderland 'Til I Die, "Plastic Shoes," continues to explore the inner workings of the Sunderland Association Football Club. The episode presents the team's second match of the season as they go up against Norwich. The Sunderland squad shares their mentality going into the game, with seasoned striker James Vaughan talking about how it was time to get going and give fans the season they had been waiting for.

The episode delves into the Sunderland players' relationship with Jack Rodwell, a midfielder who had made waves for his multiple stints with different clubs but who was consistently injury-prone during his time at Sunderland. Rodwell's unwillingness to compromise on a pricey contract frustrated his teammates and the management of the club. The impending reality of Rodwell staying on the team and causing trouble loomed over Sunderland's previous successes.

The episode showcases the stark contrast between the progress made on restructuring the club's management and Rodwell's apparent disregard for team spirit. Martin Bain, the CEO of Sunderland, discusses the significant debt the club owes and the steps taken to lessen the load.

The show also features scenes highlighting the relationship between Jack Ross, Sunderland's head coach, and his players. Ross shares his love for the job, describing it as his dream come true. A member of the team reveals that they felt Ross has a more personal connection with the players than the previous coaches had and that it worked well in inducing team morale.

"Plastic Shoes" provides insight into Sunderland's methods of scouting and recruiting new players. Megan Van Ooyen, the head of the club's scouting department, speaks about how they mine data to look for the right players for the team. Her team scouts and tracks Sunderland's targets before they come up with detailed reports as to whether they would be good fits.

The episode ends with the final score of the game against Norwich City and a reaction of Sunderland's players and fans. It also leaves the audience with a cliffhanger regarding the club's finances and their attempt to prepare for the future.

Overall, "Plastic Shoes" touches on team dynamics, management, player recruitment, and what it means to be Sunderland Till I Die. The episode draws you in and keeps you engaged with the storylines of the various characters, establishing a thorough understanding of what is at stake for the team and their journey ahead.