Sunderland don’t half make life difficult for themselves. Over the last four seasons, the only time they finished higher than 16th was the 13/14 campaign, when they were seven points off safety with six games to go. It is simply miraculous that they have not gone down. The hope is that David Moyes can stabilize the club, just as he did at Everton, the fear is that slow summer recruitment will be costly. Supporter Alex Hall gives us the lowdown on the situation at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland only lost once after February last season, that defeat coming against Leicester. What do you think went right for you in the latter stages?
Obviously I’m going to be biased here but this is why I think Big Sam the man will make a great England coach. He somehow sculpted a strong team and completely changed the atmosphere within the club from what he had inherited.
Fortunately our club were quick to get Allardyce in. He had acquired an awful team which after an extremely short amount of time were already low on confidence, quality and most importantly a game plan. It took a while to get the team to a level that would keep us in the Premier League but after some incredible additions in the January window and enough time to incorporate Big Sam’s ethos, we looked like a very good side….and somehow….managed to stay up again. Oh yeah and send the mags down. HA!
In the past, Sunderland have often relied on aging centre-backs such as John O’Shea and Wes Brown, who have perhaps lost a yard of pace. How important was the January signing of Lamine Kone?
I’m a big fan of O’Shea but my god is it a good feeling to see a young, fast and powerful defender in a red & white shirt. I haven’t been this excited about a player since….I can’t even remember. Our defence has just been a constant failure, like I say I’m a big fan of O’Shea. He’s been a fantastic servant to the club and I really hope he stays on. However this is 2016….if you want to stay in this Premier League you need to have a very powerful and quick defence. I mean look at the calibre of managers we have now… this isn’t just any old league anymore. Lamine Kone (despite just being linked with a move to Everton as I write this) is the catalyst for a new defence at the Stadium of Light and this needs to happen!
Holding midfielder Jan Kirchoff joined mid-season. Another important buy?
I was at the Spurs game when the big German Jan Kirchoff was brought on to tighten things up at the back and help us salvage a very much needed point at White Hart lane. The promising signing from Bayern Munich was perfect for that… but in true Sunderland style he had a nightmare. Some said it was the worst Premier League debut ever, perhaps they were right. Even the most optimistic/delusional mackem wouldn’t have believed that he would go on to be one of, if not our best player of the season. He was immense playing in the defensive midfield role. One performance comes to mind which was his 1st half at St James Park he was just stealing everything off the mags and then follow it up with intelligent passing. Can’t wait to see how he gets on next season.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has done well in the lower leagues at Bradford and Preston. Is there potential for him to break through in the next couple of seasons?
We are all very excited about Mr Pickford but Vito Mannone did an amazing job last season and has been rewarded with a new contract for this. I think he’ll have to wait for his opportunity but I think when he gets it… he will take it. Expect to see this lad as the No.1 this time next year.
Ball-winner Yann M’Vila was excellent for you in the second half of last season. Do you like the physicality he provides?
Sunderland fans love this kind of player. We will always need a Kevin Ball type midfielder in our team otherwise we just won’t be entertained. That’s why Lee Cattermole is loved (by most anyway) despite his history with sometimes not controlling his temper (although that has improved massively recently) and the very often delusional pass or decision making. Plus it’s now looking like M’Vila is not making the permanent switch because of his high wages back in Russia and although that would be great news. I think Lee Cattermole is more important, he may not have as much quality but he wins the ball, he does show quality, he sets the tone, he understands this club being from the North East and knows what it’s all about to be a Sunderland player. I think that type of footballer in any squad is priceless.
With at least two holding midfielders, is it important to have attacking full-backs? Are you pleased that Patrick Van Aanholt has signed a new deal?
Van Aanholt has improved massively and looks like he can be a real talent, it’s great he will be staying on. Sunderland haven’t had a consistent pairing of wing backs in donkeys. This transfer window has been a very quiet one, even despite the disruptive news of Big Sam and the England job it’s been poor. So I’m hoping we will have a left wing back very soon otherwise it will be yet another loan signing… we need stability.
Wide man Duncan Watmore showed raw energy last season. If he can further develop the technical side of his game, how much of an asset could he become?
From what I’ve seen in pre season Watmore has been turning this raw energy into a more mature and intelligent energy. He’s very talented and considering our small numbers and the trust that David Moyes tends to put in young players, I’m pretty sure he will be a regular first team player this season.
Jermain Defoe scored 18 goals last season, but your second top scorer was Fabio Borini with five. Without discrediting Defoe’s season, can you continue to rely so heavily on a 33-year-old for goals? Are you surprised he’s been given a contract until 2019?
I’m not surprised he’s been given a contract until 2019. He’s pure class and nobody can deny that. He didn’t prove the the critics wrong because there were no critics. Everyone knows what he’s capable of but he can’t go on being a lone striker. He needs a partner, Sunderland fans have been longing for a Super Kev & Quinn partnership once again. Considering the outrageous price strikers cost and the obvious unwillingness for our chairman to splash the mega bucks… I would personally try and sign Peter Crouch… it might just work.
What are your thoughts ahead of the Premier League season as a whole? Any surprise teams you think could break into the top four?
This is going to be one hell of a tough season, for all teams I think. Exciting though and no doubt it will be the usual big spenders that will do the damage….yet you can’t deny the way West Ham have dramatically changed their fortunes recently is beyond incredible. I think they are the only team that can break the mould of the usual top four. They’ve got a great manager, a very strong team and its an exciting new era for them. I can’t see Leicester doing another “doing a Leicester” but maybe I’ll eat my hat once again… but yeah West Ham may just do make it to 4th… maybe.
Where will you finish?
14th….I’d be happy with that. Moyes will need time and this season is about the way he stamps his mark on the club. Just no more “great escapes”, but I really do fear relegation can be highly likely once again….it’s gonna be another bumpy ride! Ha’way the lads!
The Football Lab’s Verdict
Good January recruitment means Moyes inherits a Sunderland squad capable of staying up. Whether they can push further depends on midfield tweaks and Defoe’s durability. 16th