The Club:
Really like the atmosphere which is being created at the Stadium of Light, and manager Steve Bruce is being backed by the board to take the club forward. They are one of the more progressive teams from the Premier League, and they are not happy with middle of the table, and with an influx of signings, they could leave the transfer-limited likes of Everton and Stoke behind as the Black Cats race forward. This should be a good, positive season ahead, as all the signs from the summer look to injecting further new life into a side which did pretty well last season. They certainly created enough to build a future upon, and that is what they are doing at the moment. Everything seems in a pretty decent harmony at the Stadium of Light, will it really all fall into place and the players fulfil the board’s ambitions on the pitch?
Players/Manager:
There is going to be a good look about Sunderland this season, as boss Steve Bruce has been on a shopping spree. The former Manchester United star has raided his former club by taking the defensive duo of John O’Shea and Wes Brown from Old Trafford. They are just the tip of the iceberg for the Black Cats, who really look determined to charge forward. First of all, let’s take a look at the manager, Steve Bruce. He has done a fairly solid job at Sunderland, and has gone through ups and downs. He has made them a tough side to beat at times, but at times they have also thrown points away. But Bruce at least knows what direction he wants to take the side in, and he is definitely looking forward. The addition of O’Shea and Brown will only strengthen what Sunderland have in defence, but they also need to find more goals than last season. They of course let England striker Darren Bent go to Aston Villa, leaving goal scoring duties to Asamoah Gyan. In the midfield, Steve Bruce has also brought in Craig Gardner, Seb Larsson and David Vaughn so there is plenty of competition at the back an in the middle for the Black Cats. Sunderland are definitely looking a positive club, and they want more than their top ten finish last season. They have lost Jordan Henderson to Liverpool (who will face his old club on the opening day), and as new players come in, some will exit, with Marcos Angeleri, Steed Malbranque and George McCartney looking very likely to be leaving. There is big competition for places at Sunderland now, and the Stadium of Light faithful appear to have a lot to look forward to. There is also whispers of Sunderland looking to take Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City as well.
Last Season: 10th
A solid finish for the Black Cats, who were patchy at times. But they had enough in the tank, to many people’s surprise to land a top ten finish. The goals just weren’t there to propel them any higher and that really needs to be sorted out. If they find more goals and their defence really is going to be improved, then they should be able to improve on this. Last season was definitely an improvement from the one before, and they will look to keep than momentum going.
2011/12 Projection:
Sunderland look as if they are building a pretty solid side. The experience the Manchester United duo of Wes Brown and John O’Shea will be valuable to the Black Cats, and were decent acquisitions for a mid table team. There really is potential for Sunderland to fulfil their ambition of landing in the top six, if the new squad gels together quickly, and they don’t suffer their blips of lack of concentration. There are still inconsistency issues to work out, and if they can land a big name striker as well, then Sunderland would look in really strong shape. As for now, they seem to be shaping up quite well, and they may well be worth a bet on finishing inside the top six. They are not resting on their laurels that is for sure, and seem to be one of the more active teams in aggressively changing their set up to chase success. It is just the kind of attitude that may seem them break through from the very closely matched clutch of teams which are expected to be around the middle of the table come the end of the season. Ahead of the new season, they look tougher and more solid, and reports are that the new side is coming together very well. Bruce now has plenty of strength and options from the bench, and this should be a pretty good season for them. We will expect them to be in the top half of the table come the end of the season. Could also make a great bet for a domestic cup. Great opening fixture at Anfield, which will really test their mettle.
Finishing Position: Top Half of Table
Premier League Top Ten Odds:
Evens at Bet365
First Three Fixtures
August 13th: Liverpool v Sunderland
August 20th: Sunderland v Newcastle
August 27th: Swansea v Sunderland
BACK TO 2010/11 PREMIER LEAGUE BETTING PREVIEW
