![]() Despite his many detractors, Allardyce beat the drop with football that was, on occasion, as good to watch as anything Sunderland supporters have seen in the top flight since the better days of Peter Reid. Most Sunderland supporters would settle for a mid-table finish in his first season - strong enough to make it uncommonly stress-free without it being so impressive that he is immediately lured away by a club in the top end of the table, thus preventing a successful and structured rebuilding process. ![]() Unlike the last four - Paolo Di Canio, Gus Poyet, Dick Advocaat and Allardyce - he has not first had to experience the nerve-wracking ordeal of a desperate late rush for survival. Key questionsĬan Moyes - Sunderland's eighth manager in just 10 Premier League seasons - steer the club away from the constant danger of relegation? Unlike all his predecessors, he starts his job before a new season begins. Moyes should also consolidate his midfield by bringing back Yann M'Vila, a loan star last season, and extending the contract of Jan Kirchhoff. As important as the injection of new blood may be, it is also vital to ward off interest from elsewhere in Lamine Kone, a hero of last season's relegation battle with sterling work at the back and important goals, too. Swift movement on acquisitions is likely, but it could prove a much more difficult task if players targeted by Allardyce, such as West Ham's Senegalese striker Diafra Sakho, are not on Moyes' radar. But with no inward business completed prior to his arrival, Moyes must sign at least three new players - for defensive and attacking positions - before the season starts. The few positive starts to preseason included new deals for evergreen striker Jermain Defoe and full-back Patrick van Aanholt, plus the overdue exits of attackers Steven Fletcher and Danny Graham. The unforeseen departure of Sam Allardyce to the England job, after a drawn-out process, cast a dark shadow over preseason activity, leaving his successor Moyes with a gigantic catch-up task. Non-existent until the £8 million signing of former Chelsea centre-back Papy Djilobodji. League Cup: Semifinalists Transfer business ![]() At a glanceĪfter all the false starts of recent years, the opening games may define the season ahead, and a home win against Middlesbrough (to compensate for likely defeat in the opener at Manchester City), or two wins from the first four, seems essential. Here's a look at Sunderland's 2016-17 campaign. The challenge now is for new boss David Moyes to develop the club so late-season scrapes are a thing of the past. Sunderland staged another escape act last season, as they once again managed to survive in the Premier League. You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browserĭavid Moyes era at Sunderland begins with mid-table hopes
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