Season shape-up - Sunderland

We look at how sides are gearing up for the new campaign

Last updated: 8th July 2008

Roy Keane Sunderland

Keane: No rush

SUNDERLAND TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Ins: None.
Outs: Greg Halford (Sheffield United, season loan) Ian Harte (released), Stanislav Varga (released), Andy Cole (released), Stephen Wright (released).

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Wise men say only fools rush in, and Sunderland boss Roy Keane has clearly learned from his transfer market haste in previous seasons. Rob Parrish looks at how the Black Cats are shaping up for the new Premier League campaign.

What's happened so far

Keane has vowed to bide his time as he plans to re-shape his playing staff at the Stadium of Light, having admitted he spent far too much of last summer on the phone chasing players, agents and elusive deals.

While there have been no new faces as yet at the Stadium of Light, Keane wasted little time in holding the exit door wide open and swiftly ushering out a selection of squad members who he felt had nothing left to offer the club.

Andy Cole, Ian Harte, Stephen Wright and Stanislav Varga were told their services were no longer required in early June, while Greg Halford has signed a season-long loan deal with Sheffield United and reserve goalkeeper Marton Fulop looks set to join Stoke.

Transfer-listed Ross Wallace has rejected the chance to join Preston, with Graham Kavanagh, Liam Miller and David Connolly all told that they are surplus to requirements.

In truth, the players who have already departed and those who Keane is hoping to off-load contributed little to Sunderland's survival last season and were unlikely to help the North East outfit consolidate their position in the Premier League.

Chairman Niall Quinn and the Drumaville consortium he heads are eager to establish Sunderland among England's elite and Keane, who enjoyed a trophy-laden career as a player with Manchester United, will not settle for scrapping against relegation on a regular basis.

To that end, a striker tops the list of his summer requirements, with Tottenham's Darren Bent being regularly mentioned as a £10million target after failing to make any impact at White Hart Lane, while West Ham forward Carlton Cole and Sheffield United's James Beattie has also been mentioned.

Serious concerns over powerful forward Kenwyne Jones' fitness, with a full prognosis on his injured knee ligaments still to be released, have increased the urgency for more fire-power on Wearside.

Talented defender Jonny Evans enjoyed a second impressive loan spell at the Stadium of Light and Keane has made no secret of his desire to bring back the Manchester United youngster to bolster his back-line.

A host of Irish players - Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Stephen Ireland, Damian Duff, Aiden McGeady and Richard Dunne - have all been linked with compatriots Quinn and Keane, and it would be no surprise to see at least one of those names in red and white by August.

What they need

In a word, goals. The Black Cats averaged under a goal per game in the Premier League last season, and that shortage of fire-power contributed heavily to them being embroiled in the relegation fight.

If, as seems likely, Jones is ruled out for an extended period of time, then that would remove their key striking threat and make the summer signing of at least one forward absolutely essential.

Greater creativity would be welcomed, but if Kieran Richardson and Carlos Edwards can stay fit after missing large chunks of last term through injury then it may not be necessary to dip into the transfer market.

The January arrival of Evans from Old Trafford provided essential defensive stability and his return would enable Black Cats fans to fret less over who will be protecting Scotland international Craig Gordon in goal.

What they'll get

Bent and Cole are realistic targets for Sunderland but whether they - and their respective WAGs - can be persuaded to trade in Oxford Street and Harvey Nichols for The Bridges and Joplins remains to be seen.

Beattie is likely to be tempted by a top-flight return, but the Black Cats may baulk at the reported £8million asking price for the one-time England international.

Having proved his talents in the Premier League, Evans may be keen to fight for a first-team place at Old Trafford, but with Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Mikael Silvestre and Wes Brown all in his way, regular action in the North East, even for another season on loan, may appeal.

Hunt has made no secret of the fact that he would rather be plying his trade in the Premier League next season, and Keane is unlikely to be put off by the fact that he had a number of bids for the Republic of Ireland international rejected in the summer.

Fan's view - Darren Dodd

Arguably, this is one of the most important seasons in the recent history of Sunderland. We have the chance to finally begin to lose our tag as one of a number of yo-yo clubs.

Roy Keane had a great first year as Sunderland manager in winning the Championship and a good second year in maintaining our status as a Premier League club but now the hard work really begins.

After spending £40million last season to keep us in the Premier League, Keane looks like he's going to have to do it all over again to not only maintain our top-flight status but to also kick on to the next level of mid-table safety.

I would say that Keane needs to strengthen in a number of areas but the emphasis needs to be on quality rather than quantity. Defensively Jonny Evans would be a great buy if we can prise him away from Manchester United, although another season-long loan would do.

I think the midfield needs more creativity and strength, Stephen Hunt from Reading may provide this. Up front the injury to Kenwyne Jones scares me and we are going to have to buy some good quality strikers. Kevin Doyle may be a possibility but I'm not convinced Darren Bent will make the trip up North.

I would settle for finishing as top North East club. Bring on August, our destiny awaits!

Comments

Michael Uy (Sunderland fan) says...

I like the way Keano manages his team. Clearly the passion he had as a player rubs off to his players. One of the best young managers I had seen. For this campaign Sunderland needs to have at least 5 new players. Evans should be on top of that list. As for the strikers well... I do believe that Darren Bent would be a hit in the Stadium of Light as he is a young and talented player although I personally think that the Price tag is way too high. Kevin Doyle would also be an asset upfront. However, he do need support from the midfield what Sunderland lacks is a midfield engine. In the mold of lets say Park Ji-Sung. Scott Brown from Celtic would be a good addition if possible... I do hope we could bring in Anton Ferdinand to bolster the defense if he is available 2 Strikers, a centre midfielder, and 2 defenders should do it for Keano.

Posted 06:18 15th July 2008

Stein Nes says...

Schneider would do for me.The same goes for Mathijsen. The rumanian leftback (Rat) or the swiss would also be a good signing. When played upfront Chopra showed that he is good enough.

Posted 15:49 14th July 2008

Will Fisk says...

I would love Sunderland to do what they did again next season and stay up. To me they are a proper football club with terrific fans. However, especially with Jones having a long injury lay-off, it is essential that they buy some top, top quality players with the money they have. If they do so, they should be ok. If they don't then I am not convinced the current squad is capable of survival with other teams around them strengthening continously. They stayed up last season on pure work ethic - I'm not sure that will be enough this time. They need some real quality signings. Someone in the mould of Darren Bent would definitely be the sort of player they need.

Posted 09:50 11th July 2008

Mark Ridley (Sunderland fan) says...

Firstly, darren bent, and james beatie are the worst 2 names i have heard to be linked with our SAFC. Come on who relay wants to see bent at sunderland? Beatie what a waste of space, keano has at least 50mil. I relay carnt understand why where still being linked with underachievers. We want passion and desire at our club! Jonny Evans would be an absoutly brill signing! Doyle? No way, if he was worthy of a chance of coming to sunderland, he'd of kept reading in the top flight! I would like to see keano make some big money singings!!! 20mil + for one player! thats what sunderland fans have been dreaming of for years! HA WAY THE LADS

Posted 23:00 8th July 2008

Brian Adams (Sunderland fan) says...

Roy needs 2 strikers certain front men last season didn't make the grade, hopefully they will be on there way the money forth comming to be added to the pot. Quality comes at a price in fees & wages if we are to get any where they need to be met because if we dont someone else will. Same goes for midfield although this faired better than the foward line last season we need commanding figures in this area and it needs addressing again if we want to challenge what ever the cost it should be met The defence is getting there but if we are unable to get johnny we should look elsewhere.If we can atract one big gun others will follow and hopefully bring success. once near the top the great players will want to play for us. we need strength all over the field come on Roy "QUALITY PLAYERS REQUIRED" if Niall and the board want the best then splash the cash. We all know what happend before but let's look forward not back. Focus on the future and where we want to be.

Posted 08:05 8th July 2008

Jamie Coyle (Sunderland fan) says...

Agree alot of work to be done.Think Roy should go for Doyle,Hunt and Johnson bring them all we need it.Also love to see Evans but think Fergie is no mug and will keep him.I think Higgingbothom looked pretty strong at the back.Edwards and Richardson need to stay fit or going to have to be replaced Edwards been very unlicky this season bit of a let down really all those injurys.Like to keep a hold of Chopra also think he got 6 Jones only got 7 and played double the games.Must play the chop up front he's wasted on the wing and even King Kenwyn seems to struggle playing by his self up front. I'd like to see us get some players sharpish though only 6 weeks to go!

Posted 20:18 7th July 2008

Berty Mcginty (Havant and W fan) says...

It's a myth that Sunderland have a lot of Irish fans. We cannot stand them over here. They're trying too hard to win fans by buying Irish players. I'm a big believer in history repeating itself. Sunderland will go down this season.

Posted 16:25 7th July 2008

Maurice Price (Sunderland fan) says...

Defence looks good enough with Evans in , we leaked too many goals last season as our midfield was weak and slow and did not do there bit to help protect the back four . Same problem with our lack of goals .... the midfield ! Kenwyne has to be replaced until he recovers/ backed up with a quality striker , I agree that Bent is a good choice , he is proven quality. Roy needs two quality central midfielders , one holding , one attacking . My main concern is our lack of on field leadership , we need a captain , someone like Roy !!.

Posted 13:58 7th July 2008

Mark Gradwell (Sunderland fan) says...

What we need is patience. Jones injury is not good, but nothing has been assessed and no one knows how long he maybe out for? Look at Dean Whitehead, he came back sooner than first thought. We need to prepare as if we have no Jones anymore, once he does come back it will be a bonus. We need a right winger, left back , a creative midfielder and two strikers. Johnny Evans is number one on every Sunderland fans wish list, but I d also like to see Adel Taarabt and Darren Bent from Spurs and players like R.Rat the Romanian from Shaktar.

Posted 13:37 7th July 2008

Jamie Grieves (Sunderland fan) says...

Some good comments!! We should never rely on one player to provide us success (Kenwyn Jones) he only managed 7 goals for us last season but in fairness set up the rest!! We need a proven Goalscorer-FACT, we need a midfielder with pace and the ability to score when required (McGeady) and we need a good CB (Johnny Evans), that would make us much stronger. Bent would be great but I aint excited about Andy Jonhson.

Posted 13:19 7th July 2008

Nick Edis (Notts County fan) says...

Agree with what has been said regarding quality over quantity. A solid central defender (Evans), a more than capable midfielder at Premiership level is also a must (McGeady) but the main one has to be a top striker who can with the right service get 15/20 goals on his own (Johnson). Get three players in those moulds and Sunderland should hold there own mid table. Would be great to see those players arrive though and manage to get Hunt and Doyle in as well to give a bit more depth in quality

Posted 13:08 7th July 2008

Michael Carter (Sunderland fan) says...

The loss of Kenwyn Jones for an extended period is seriously frightening. I cannot imagine Sunderland without him and we depend on him far too much. I am not convinced that Andy Johnson would be a replacement but think he would play well alongside Ken. A better replacement would indeed be Bent or Yakubu.

Posted 12:07 7th July 2008

Adrian Metcalf (Sunderland fan) says...

I agree with Darren Dodd 100% that the loss of Kenwyne Jones is frightening. I actually think we need two strikers in for August because Chopra and O' Donovan haven't made the grade, Connolly's going and as for Prica.....!! Beattie and maybe Ebanks-Blake might be realistic targets, but I couldn't help thinking Jason Roberts would've been the ideal partner for Jones last season - quick and physical. The pair would've caused defences massive problems. Midfield for me is also a problem. Etuhu and Whitehead dither too much for premier league pace. Edwards, Richardson and Reid have it in them to make a difference, but Hunt and McGeady would be great signings to add some pace. Defence - get Jonny Evans in now (before Keegan does), he is a top talent!

Posted 11:35 7th July 2008

Danny Cogdon (Sunderland fan) says...

Steven, you think McShane was a good buy? The man was a liability and hopefully one of the first that Keane shows the door.

Posted 11:29 7th July 2008

Rich Garside (Sunderland fan) says...

I too think Bent is an unlikely signing and can see him ending up at West Ham or something. Would take Cole - think he would do a decent job for us and Hunt/McGeady/Evans would all be excellent signings. I think a tough season lies ahead and would take finishing the same place we did last season.

Posted 11:29 7th July 2008

Steven Grendon (Liverpool fan) says...

I absolutely agree with the piece above, Roy needs to go for quality this season, i think last year was a learning curve for Keane in the transfere market and he did well bringing in the likes on Kenwyn Jones(goals) and Yorke(experience) Richardson, McShane and Gordon although i think he paid over the odds for some. i would like to see players like Crouch, Dunne, Yakubu, Hunt who are on the market, come to Sunderland. There are alot of footballers available but not many with true quality, who can show their true grit and roll their sleeves up when called upon, that what Sunderland need, they will be fighting for their lives again this season and need players with quality that can fight too!!

Posted 10:14 7th July 2008

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