Premiership Preview: Sunderland

Will Gyan still be a Mackem come the start of the season? North News

Sunderland's 10th place finish last season under Steve Bruce was the club’s best finish since their promotion back to the Premiership four years ago. However, this is a statistic that flatters to deceive; the Black Cats failed to win a game after beating Blackpool at the end of January managing to beat Wigan ten games later. Some of this can be explained by the departure of Darren Bent during the January transfer window and the club's inability to adequately replace him; also let's not forget the major injuries to first-choice goalkeeper Craig Gordon which kept him out of contention for a lot of last season.

The departure of Henderson and Bent has earned the club around £36mil and much of this is expected to be ploughed back into the club. Sunderland has never been one to shy away from splashing cash when they feel it's necessary.

Goalkeeper
First choice goalkeeper Craig Gordon was signed for a potential record breaking sum, but has struggled to maintain fitness since making the Stadium of Light his home. This meant that young Belgian keeper Simon Mignolet was thrust into the limelight sooner than the club would have expected. Mignolet suffered with inconsistency and with doubts still lingering over Gordon's injury record, the Black Cats have moved swiftly to recruit Kieren Westwood from Coventry. While the Irish shot stopper was in great form for the Championship side and looks ready to make the step up to the Premiership, it will be interesting to see who can make the number one jersey their own over the course of the season.

Defence

In Titus Bramble and Michael Turner, Sunderland has an experienced and able centre back pairing, complimented by the busy Kieron Richardson and Phil Bardsley. However, squad depth is comparable to child's paddling-pool; with Anton Ferdinand failing to fulfil potential and Nyron Nosworthy expected to leave the club. Sunderland should be looking to strengthen this area. Several names have already been touted in this department; Sunderland (like every club and their grandmother) will be eyeing Scott Dann and Roger Johnson of relegated Birmingham. However they are likely to be gazumped by bigger clubs with deeper pockets. It is more likely that Steve Bruce will be looking towards his old stamping grounds at Carrington and attempt to snap up United fringe players Wes Brown and John O'Shea.

Midfield

The loss of Henderson seriously depleted an already thin midfield. Although club-captain Lee Cattermole would be one of the first names on Bruce's team sheet, the holding midfielder does have a habit of going into the tackle a little recklessly. The rest of the midfield is functional if not exciting. Players like Steed Malbranque, Ahmed Elmohamady and Stéphane Sessègnon are all able footballers, while the young Jack Colback does look to have potential. This is a weak area that Sunderland has identified and they have been quick to recruit Craig Gardner and Seb Larsson from relegated Birmingham. I wouldn't be surprised to see the club sign another, possibly left-sided, midfielder by end of the summer.

Strikers

In Asamoah Gyan, Sunderland recruited one of the most exciting forwards of last year’s World Cup and this was presumably why the club felt they were able to sell strike-partner Darren Bent. Despite having Fraizer Campbell on their books, the return of Danny Welbeck to Manchester United has led to a distinct lack of cover in this position, a position that will not be improved by the mooted sale of Gyan. Sunderland has already been busy recruiting for the upcoming campaign with teenage sensation Connor Wickham signed from Ipswich. Wickham is possibly the most exciting young English forward around and it will be intriguing to watch his progression at the Black Cats. Sunderland have also landed Korean Ji Dong-Won, the striker will be an unknown quantity to a lot of English football fans but the 20 year-old has a great record for both his old club, Chunnam Dragons, and the Korean national team.

Sunderland's strength at the back combined with often dazzling Asamoah Gyan mean that they are a tricky side to play and occasionally capable of pulling off seemingly miraculous results (see the 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge). If Wickham can progress as his potential suggests then Sunderland could have an attack comparable to any in the league come the next few seasons. Despite this, a serious injury to one of the clubs better players could curtail the clubs ambitions of a top-half position and a push for Europa League placing.

Jim