Who are the top Cats as new year dawns on push for promotion?
THE DIAMONDS...AND THE DISAPPOINTMENTS
THE late start and a Christmas disrupted by a Covid outbreak mean Sunderland’s season is still someway short of its halfway point as the New Year approaches.
As 2020 draws to a close, the Wearsiders have played only 17 league games so far, meaning we are closer to a third of the way through the 46-game campaign than the midpoint.
With no match to look forward to until 2021, now seems as good a time as any to reflect on the season so far and rate the players.
Sunderland’s promotion chances were halted by the Covid pandemic in March, last season suspended and then curtailed.
The summer saw eight new players arrive, seven permanent signings and one on loan.
Goalkeeper Remi Matthews, defenders Bailey Wright, Callum McFadzean, Morgan Feeney and Arbenit Xhemajli and strikers Danny Graham and Aiden O’Brien joined on permanent deals, while Wolves defender Dion Sanderson joined on loan.
However, despite a solid start, the Black Cats have failed to set the pace in League One - leading to the sacking of manager Phil Parkinson at the end of November, with Lee Johnson appointed as head coach in his place.
At this stage Sunderland are 11th in the table, seven points outside the automatic promotion spots, but they have at least one game in hand of all bar one of the clubs above them and two games in hand of the top two.
Between them, Parkinson and Johnson have used 34 players in all competitions and here is how we rate their contributions:
Lee Burge B+
Proved a worthy successor to Jon McLaughlin and has kept seven clean sheets in 13 League games so far.
Mitch Curry C
Short run-out against AFC Wimbledon was a reward for impressive form for the under-23s.
Jack Diamond A
The emergence of the homegrown youngster been a huge plus. Deserves to play regularly in the remaining two-thirds of the season.
George Dobson C
Below par so far. Not a regular starter and that has not helped him in terms of match sharpness.
Ciaran Dunne C
Only five minutes’ action as a substitute in the EFL Trophy before a dislocated shoulder ended his night.
Elliot Embleton C+
Recently returned after a long injury absence and is still getting up to speed - but his creative spark in the final third is welcome.
Morgan Feeney C+
Summer signing impressed on his debut in the Trophy but a hamstring injury suffered playing for the under-23s has since kept the centre-back on the sidelines.
Tom Flanagan B
A regular and generally reliable performer, albeit still prone to the occasional mistake.
Lynden Gooch B
An attacking threat but his versatility has also been a big help, having been needed at vari--ous times in midfield and in both wingback roles.
Danny Graham D
Scored on his debut against Aston Villa Uner-21s in the Trophy, leads the line well but is still waiting for his first league goal of his second spell. A major disappointment so far.
Will Grigg D
Looks brighter this season than last but has not scored in 12 outings in all competitions this term – in fact his last goal came in October 2019. Another massive disappointment.
Josh Hawkes C
Part of a young side which played at Fleetwood in the last Trophy group game and did OK.
Denver Hume B+
Has work to do on the defensive side of his game but compensates by offering an excellent attacking outlet down the left. Grant Leadbitter AHad a tough time last season but has been excellent this term. Made himself an automatic choice in central midfield. Scored a goal of the season contender at Doncaster too.
Chris Maguire BForm has been patchy – when he is good he is very good but if he is out of sorts it really shows.
Remi Matthews D
Summer signing started as backup before an injury to Burge gave him an opportunity but he has made too many mistakes to be considered a contender for first choice.
Callum McFadzean B
Brought in as competition and cover for Hume and has done well when called upon.
Aiden McGeady C+
Returned to the fold when Lee Johnson took over and will have a point to prove between now and the end of the season.
Conor McLaughlin B+
A contender for most improved player, he has done very well both in central defence and at right back.
Dan Neill C
Looked good in pre-season but has only figured in Trophy games so far and has not reproduced his summer form.
Aiden O’Brien D
A poor start from the summer signing, with just one Trophy goal to his name so far.
Luke O’Nien B Established himself as first-choice right wingback/ right-back but a dislocated shoulder has disrupted his season.
Anthony Patterson B
Given a couple of opportunities in the Trophy and the academy product has shown promise.
Max Power B
Played the majority of the games and has done OK in central midfield but more is expected of him.
Dion Sanderson B
Cool and composed on the ball, the on-loan Wolves defender has been a good addition to the squad.
Josh Scowen B
Shown a willingness to get forward from midfield and into the box and also has the vision to create chances for others.
Vinnie Steels C
Injuries saw him given a debut from the bench in the Trophy at Fleetwood and he had a tough time of it.
Brandon Taylor C
Has not kicked on as expected and the defender has been restricted to Trophy outings.
Sam Wilding C
One of the youngsters handed his debut in the Trophy game at Fleetwood and did OK.
Jordan Willis B+
Rock solid at the heart of defence but has missed some football due to an ongoing knee problem which has to be managed.
Bailey Wright A
A key signing in the summer, he has been an excellent addition to the squad. Keeping the defender fit is vital if Sunderland are to push for automatic promotion.
Charlie Wyke A
Thank heavens for Charlie Wyke! Incredibly, he is the only one of the club’s four senior out-and-out strikers to have scored a league goal so far. He has 10 in all competitions, seven of those coming in the league.
Arbenit Xhemajli C+
Another summer signing to make a promising start.
However, a knee injury suffered on international duty with Kosovo ruled him out for the season.
Ollie Younger C+
The youngster caught the eye when he made his senior debut in the Trophy before a hamstring injury forced him off.