Second-tier experience is essential for the fans

SUNDERLAND fans want to see their club pick off the best Championship talent ahead of next season.

In our annual end-ofseason survey, we asked which realistic target you would most like to see the club sign this summer.

One thought Pele could be tempted out of retirement and another was hoping the lure of second-tier football might turn Lionel Messi’s head, but four of the top-six choices in a widespread field came from the Championship.

Tammy Abraham spent last season on loan at Bristol City from Chelsea last season, and scored 23 goals. Of the more than 100 players you nominated, he was the most popular, with 9% of the vote.

Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy was also on loan, at Huddersfield Town from Manchester City. He came third with 4%.

Second place went to another striker, Leeds United’s Chris Wood (eight percent). The New Zealander was the division’s top-scorer with 27 goals in 2016-17.

Nottingham Forest’s powerful but injury-prone frontman Britt Assombalonga was joint fifth with 2%, alongside Hibernian’s Jason Cummings.

Jordan Pickford was the odd one out in the top six – because he already plays for Sunderland. Three per cent said retaining the goalkeeper must be a priority. Half as many said the same about Jermain Defoe, but he is set to join Bournemouth.

Former Sunderland players featured prominently in the list, with Daryl Murphy, Martyn Waghorn, Grant Leadbitter, Fraizer Campbell, Connor Wickham, Dean Whitehead, Darren Bent, Yann M’Vila, Connor Hourihane, Stewart Downing and Anthony Stokes all named. There were also calls for loanees Jason Denayer and Javier Manquillo to be re-signed.

Although David Moyes’ transfer dealings were widely criticised in the survey, former targets such as Steven Naismith, Leonardo Ulloa, Tom Lawrence and John Ruddy all had their cheerleaders.

Murphy was not the only member of Newcastle United’s Championshipwinning side you had your eyes on. Grant Hanley, Yoan Gouffran and Ciaran Clark made the list.