GRAYSON IS RAY OF HOPE
® SIMON GRAYSON has vowed to put the “Sun” back into Sunderland.
And while predecessor David Moyes predicted a grim fight for survival last season, a bullish Grayson says the Black Cats will be gunning for promotion next term.
He won’t have a big transfer budget with Sunderland £120m in debt, but the ex-Preston boss claims players are queueing up to play at the Stadium of Light. Grayson, 47, won’t rule out going back to his old club for Jordan Hugill.
With Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini moving on, Sunderland – who yesterday handed John O’Shea a new 12-month deal – are without a recognised striker.
Grayson joked he might have to send out a five-a-side team for Friday’s opening friendly at Bury and his immediate priority is to strengthen a wafer-thin squad.
But he has vowed to banish the gloom and doom which has gripped the club in recent times.
“I want a happy working environment and players coming in with a smile on their faces,” he said.
Desire
“There’s been a lot of negativity about the place but that’s all in the past.
“My phone’s been red hot with players wanting to come here but they have got to have heart, soul and desire.
“We’ve got some good footballers and I’d like to think we’ll bring a few more in. This club, when it gets going, can snowball incredibly quickly. It can be rocking again.
“Promotion has to be the ambition. Sunderland have been relegated before and bounced back.”
Chief executive Martin Bain contacted Preston within minutes of owner Ellis Short’s takeover talks with a German consortium collapsing.
Bain said: “It’s been murder. We wanted to appoint someone sooner but couldn’t because of the talks.”