RECRUITS GRADED
Sunderland fans were promised a major summer overhaul and that’s exactly what they got, with 12 new faces walking through the door at the Stadium of Light.
With a new manager in Jack Ross, a complete revamp of the backroom staff plus the change in ownership and new faces in the boardroom, Sunderland have undergone a huge transformation.
Sunderland, targeting an instant return to the Championship, sit fourth in League One after eight games; losing their unbeaten tag at Burton Albion.
With two games played in the Carabao Cup and Checkatrade Trophy as well, Ross has now overseen 10 games in charge.
But how have his dozen new signings fared since arrivingon Wear side? We assess their impact 10 games in.
Jon McLaughlin. Grade: B
It is no exaggeration to say Sunderland would have stayed up last season if they’d had a reliable goalkeeper. Jason Steele, Robbin Ruiter and Lee Camp all flopped, costing Sunderland precious points.
One of Ross’ first pieces of business was to bring in a reliable stopper and ex-Hearts keeper McLaughlin fit the bill. The Scotland international, 31, is a safe pair of hands, good shot-stopper and his distribution is generally solid. Nothing flash, keeps it simple. Has been a welcome addition but only has one clean sheet so far to show for it.
Reece James. Grade: D
Injury disrupted his preseason and James is yet to get a regular run, with competition fierce. He has Bryan Oviedo and Denver Hume ahead of him at left-back, with Adam Matthews and Donald Love at right-back. A versatile option from the bench.
Alim Ozturk. Grade: D
Got off to the worst possible start on his debut at Darlington, giving away a goal and coming off injured with a hip injury. Did well when he came on at AFC Wimbledon but still has a lot to prove. Baldwin, Loovens and Flanagan ahead of him.
Tom Flanagan. Grade C
Impressed during preseason but then a knee injury struck. Difficult to grade given his lack of game time; he started in the Checkatrade Trophy game and came on as a sub against Fleetwood. Matthews has struggled of late and surely Flanagan is pushing for a first start - the only new signing yet to make a league start.
Glenn Loovens. Grade B
The 34-yearold has been one of the best signings. Seven appearances so far, all in the league. Loovens is vocal, well organised and a calming influence at the back. The big black mark against the defence is the inability to defend set pieces, with six of the eight goals conceded so far coming from them. Big improvement needed on that front.
Jack Baldwin. Grade B+
Similar to Loovens, Baldwin has enjoyed a very solid start. Didn’t enjoy his best game at Burton but he has enough credit in the bank. A no-nonense, all action centreback who plays on the edge. Willing to head anything and put his foot in where it hurts. The defence could do with more protection but it is a difficult balance to strike.
Dy la nMc Ge ouch. Grade C
Excelled in pre-season but injuries have meant it has been a stop-start start to the league campaign. Missed Burton with a knock. Ross has high hopes for McGeouch but Sunderland fans are yet to see him at his best.
Max Power. Grade C+.
Enjoyed a brilliant start with successive goals against Scunthorpe and Gillingham but his form dipped against AFC Wimbledon, subbed after just 51 minutes, he was feeling the after effects of a knock in training. The following game he saw red against Oxford and was subsequently ruled out for three league games (and wasn’t allowed to play in the Checkatrade against Stoke City U23s ei-ther).
Luke O’Nien. Grade D.
Another player that has struggled to get a regular game after his big move from Wycombe Wanderers. Has had to adapt to a completely different style of play and has been used mainly as a sub. Has big potential, he will get his chance over the campaign.
Chris Maguire. Grade: B
Has three goals - including a stunning strike at Burton. Used mainly out wide, Maguire had to be subbed early against Oxford, in danger of getting sent off. Mixed bag of performances but excellent response from the bench to being dropped.
Jerome Sinclair. Grade: C
Again hampered by injury but now back fit and he has a big role to play following Wyke’s knee injury. Has a good pedigree and should be an exciting player given a run of games.
Charlie Wyke. Grade: C
How unlucky can you get? Arrived at Sunderland with damaged knee ligaments and after working his way back gets clattered four games into his comeback and suffers the same injury. Now facing two months out. Looked understandably rusty on his return and beaten in the air too easily. Sunderland fans won’t see the best of him until the back end of 2018.
12 Number of new signings Sunderland made in the summer