Few could have predicted the level of success Sunderland would enjoy in their first season under previously relatively unknown boss Régis Le Bris.
To some degree, something similar could apply to Chris Mepham, who joined the Black Cats on a season-long loan deal from Bournemouth in a bid to get regular game time under his belt.
In that regard, he's achieved just that.
The centre-back has started all but four of his side's Championship matches since moving to the Stadium of Light in late August.
Fortunately, Sunderland's largely stunning form earlier on in the campaign ensured their run of five successive defeats to end the regular season did not prove costly when it came to making the play-offs.
Prior to his side's first leg semi-final play-off away to Coventry City on Friday night, Mepham can certainly be pleased with his efforts - regardless of whether or not he is part of a promotion over the coming weeks.
He has made an average of 6.1 clearances per game and 0.9 blocks per game, both of which are the most of any Sunderland player in the Championship this season.
His average of 2.9 aerial duels won per game is second best within his team's ranks, and they all typify Mepham can handle the more old school side of the game.
But that emphasis to his game perhaps goes some way to explaining why he hasn't been favoured as much under Craig Bellamy - who clearly wants Wales to dominate the ball more than they did under Rob Page.
Indeed, the 27-year-old has played just twice in eight games under the current national team boss.
READ MORE: Wow Factor . . . How Craig Bellamy Has Quickly Transformed Wales
He did, though, start the most recent fixture in North Macedonia, playing his part in ensuring the visitors were largely untroubled until Joe Allen's sloppy pass late on allowed Bojan Miovski to score, before David Brooks netted a dramatic last-gasp equaliser as Wales maintained their unbeaten run under Bellamy.
His total of seven aerial duels won was the most of any player on the pitch in Skopje while he also chipped in with two tackles and one interception.
Joe Rodon (10) was the only Welsh player to make more than Mepham's six clearances.
The Leeds man was also the only member from Wales' starting 11 to have a higher pass accuracy (96.1%) than Mepham's highly-impressive figure of 95.2%.
It bodes well for Bellamy, who also has the likes of Ben Cabango and Ben Davies to operate in central positions at the back.
Mepham's efforts are also timely as his Bournemouth contract expires this summer, although reports suggest the Cherries hold the option to extend his deal with the club for an additional 12 months.
READ MORE: Wales Boss Craig Bellamy Insists: Don't Blame Joe Allen . . . That’s What I Demand!
But with Bournemouth flying under Andoni Iraola, it appears the Welshman's chances of being a regular at the Vitality Stadium again in the near future have diminished.
And he has also made no secret of his love for Sunderland, recently suggesting he would be open to a permanent move to Wearside.
"I love my connection I've made with my teammates and the staff and fans, and if it's a possibility in the summer (permanent return) it's definitely one I'd be open to," he told The Northern Echo in March.
It also became evident that further involvement under Bellamy will also be a key driver in his next move, should there be one.
"We have important Wales games coming up in the summer and I'm sure those (future) conversations will happen at some point," added the central defender.
Having endured a frustrating 2023-24 season in which he started just six Premier League matches, Mepham has reaped real rewards from dropping down a division in the current campaign.
The next month could go a long way to seeing the defender enjoy more success as his Premier League and Wales dreams remain well and truly alive.
