Premier League preview: Sunderland
It was a season of underachievement at the Stadium of Light last year; Steve Bruce assembled an expensive squad who rather flattered to deceive and stumbled over the line in 13th place. Just two wins on the road and a crippling fifteen-game run without a league win put to bed early hopes of Europa League qualification.
Despite the restlessness at times between the Sunderland fans and Bruce, it was the first time in 10 years that Sunderland have not been involved in a relegation dog-fight or promotion push. Welcome respite for the stressed Mackem fans no doubt.
Improvement seems to be the aim for Bruce this season.
"Our aim is to be established again, improve on what we did last year and go close to the top 10," Bruce said.
"If we can finish at the top of our league – which is the 12 – then it is job done. However, no disrespect to Hull, Portsmouth and Burnley, who went down last season, I think the Premier League is stronger this season with Newcastle and West Brom in it than last year."
By the look of his summer signings to date, it could be argued that Bruce remains bitter and is taking out his frustration on English football (he was never capped by England) by searching abroad for players instead of looking closer to home or blooding some of his youngsters. His summer arrivals include Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from Sin-Tridense, Paraguay midfielder Cristian Riveros, Egyptian Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, and Argentinian defender Marcos Alberto Angeleri. Ghanaian centre-half John Mensah has re-signed on a year’s loan from Lyon.
Roy O'Donovan, Nyron Nosworthy and Lorik Cana were made surplus to requirements over the summer and have moved on, and David Healy, George McCartney and Teemu Tainio could also be going though the exit door in the next few weeks, as Bruce looks to balance the excessive wage bill.
But the most worrying departure for the Wearside faithful will be the news that big striker Kenwyne Jones is on the verge of signing for Stoke for £9million, pending a medical. Jones seemed to strike up a good understanding with Darren Bent last season, and did a lot of the donkey work for the goal-scoring plaudits that the England international grabbed. His departure leaves a pretty serious void in the striking department and an injury to Bent could prove catastrophic; Bruce surely will be looking to use the money gained from the Jones transfer to add bulk to his tame front-line.
A shining light in the Sunderland team next season could be a fully fit Lee Cattermole. He was plagued by injuries last season but he is a passionate, skilful, centre midfielder who has all the attributes to be knocking on the international door in a few years. The 21-year-old’s ability to win the ball back, with his harrying and energy can often prove the catalyst to productive Sunderland attacks.
The new season, as always, will bring optimism on Wearside, but any hopes or fears of a change in their fortunes should be forgotten, as it looks as though Sunderland will be nailed on once again for a mid-table finish. They lack the firepower, or the midfield creativity to be consistent enough to challenge for European honours and are too solid defensively, even if the signing of Titus Bramble contradicts that, to be dragged into a relegation battle.
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