Club Focus - Sunderland - 2010/11 Season Preview
Sunderland will look to continue their steady progression but may need to step up the pace to satisfy their ambitious supporters. After achieving a respectable mid-table finish last season, expectations on Wearside will be high and Europe should be the aim.
Last season
A good start and finish to last year’s campaign earned the Black Cats a solid 13th place and crucially meant they avoided a relegation dogfight, but it could have been better. 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.
The squad
2010 summer transfer campaign
The loss of captain Lorik Cana early in the close season was unexpected but it should not prove too damaging to the club’s ambitions. If the World Cup performances of Christian Riveros were anything to go by, Sunderland have a more than adequate replacement. With millions spent on consolidating the North-East club’s Premier League status in recent seasons, the 2010 summer transfer campaign was always going to be a modest affair. Riveros will be joined by defender Ahmed Al-Muhammadi and right-back Marcos Angeleri after Sunderland failed to capture Alan Hutton. The £1m transfer of Titus Bramble may have Newcastle United fans tittering, but the move could well be one of several shrewd decisions made by Steve Bruce.
The Coach/manager
The jury is still out on Steve Bruce as Sunderland manager. Despite a number of impressive home wins last season, his side’s inability to beat some very weak opponents hinted that his motivational skills might not be the best. A top ten finish is needed to prevent the Sunderland faithful from getting restless.
Anchorman
A fully fit Lee Cattermole could be an invaluable asset to the Wearsiders next season. The former England under-21 international can be a nightmare to play against with his fierce tackling and energetic harrying. His ability to win the ball back can often prove the catalyst to productive Sunderland attacks.
Playmaker - Perhaps no other player in the Sunderland squad can change the game like the talismanic Steed Malbranque. He may often be only able to last three quarters of a match and is lacking a yard of pace, but the Belgian born winger’s passing ability and constant cutting inside from the right-wing is enough to trouble the best of defences.
Hot Prospect
Unusually for Sunderland, there are several candidates for this title. If Jordan Henderson continues to develop, he could well be a key member of the team by the end of the season. The 20-year-old, who is a lifelong Mackems fan, has the making of a complete midfielder and constantly shows maturity well beyond his tender age.
2010/11 prediction
With the strong spine of last season’s squad more or less in tact, and some very promising new signings on their way in, Sunderland fans have every reason to be optimistic for the 2010/11 season. The Stadium of Light is fast regaining its former reputation as a fortress which will be encouraging to the players when they step out against Birmingham on August 14. Steve Bruce’s main priority must be to do something about his team’s away form. If this problem is resolved, then Black Cats have it within themselves to improve dramatically on last season’s mid-table finish.
A Different League’s prediction: 12th
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
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