Sunderland fans have voted for a complete overhaul of the squad when asked what changes needed to be made to the playing squad in our recent poll…
What position do SAFC most need to strengthen this summer?
-Goalkeeper 4%
-Defenders 6%
-Midfield 1%
-Strikers 6%
-Whole squad 83%
With Niall Quinn?s consortium set to take over in the coming weeks, wholesale changes throughout the club are expected. You voted for the same to happen to the Sunderland squad. With a thoroughly miserable campaign when we amassed a pathetic, record-breaking tally of 15 points, it is no surprise that a whopping 83% of you voted for comprehensive changes to the whole squad.
With Gary Breen, Martin Woods, Joe Murphy and numerous youth players having already been released, it seems the club has already begun the exercise of culling an under performing squad. And with Julio Arca, Liam Lawrence, Ben Alnwick, Dean Whitehead and now striker Jon Stead all linked with moves away from the club, it seems that significant changes could well be on the cards.
However those named are some of Sunderland?s better players, and fans will be hoping it is the likes of Tommy Miller, Danny Collins, Christian Bassila and Chris Brown who make way rather than players who were not quite as awful as the rest last term.
After the departure of Gary Breen and a quick look at the goals conceded stats last season, it doesn?t take a genius to see that the defence needs strengthening. Similarly, Andy Gray is set to complete a move to Burnley and with Jon Stead, Chris Brown, Kevin Kyle and Stephen Elliot the only strikers remaining, a change or two may be needed in this department too.
Kelvin Davis still has his critics, and if no goalkeeper is bought this summer fans will be hoping Ben Alnwick stays on Wearside to put significant pressure on Davis for the number 1 shirt.
Undoubtedly our strongest position is midfield, where Whitehead, Lawrence, Arca (if he stays) and even Tommy Miller have shown themselves to be more than capable in this division. Not forgetting Rory Delap, who has been one of Sunderland’s better players since joining from Southampton.
Christian Bassila’s lack of creative skills with the ball will not be under so much scrutiny in this division and his type of game may well be more suited to this level ala Jeff Whitley, although he still has a battle with Grant Leadbitter, who can arguably to the same job more effectively.
After such a disastrous season it is easy to forget that we still have a squad that will be considered one of the best in this division, and while calls for wholesale changes from fans are understandable, that may not be completely necessary. But that’s up to Niall to decide. Good luck!
