State of play with Cats as pre-season training begins
Sunderland’s squad finally returned for pre-season training yesterday.
For now, the group are taking part in fitness testing and small-group sessions as they ease their way back in from a lay-off of over five months.
That Phil Parkinson’s group needs strengthening is clear, with a relatively limited number of senior players contracted to the club. One of those, Aiden McGeady, seemingly has little future under Parkinson. But what about those who have returned?
Who looks central to the manager’ s plans, whose future is uncertain, and who could be on the verge of a breakthrough?
Goalkeepers: LEE
BURGE: Parkinson has said he will bring in senior competition to push Burge but Jon McLaughlin’ s departure leaves him with a major opportunity to make the number one shirt his own.
ANTHONY PATTERSON:
Highly regarded throughout the club, it could well be a tempting option to keep Patterson around, particularly as his age means he would not count towards the squad size cap.
Defenders: LUKE O’ NI EN:
A key part of Parkinson’s system and with interest from clubs in the division above, a player who Sunderland will surely be considering a longer deal for. Has been one of the few big successes since the club dropped into the third tier and is more important now than ever.
CONOR McLAUGHLIN:
McLaughlin has a battle on his hands to win regular football ahead of O’Nien, having struggled to make a major impression in his first season on Wearside.
JORDAN WILLIS: Arguably Sunderland’s most consistent player throughout last season, Willis will be central to Phil Parkinson’s plans.
Particularly at home, his ability to carry the ball forward became as big a weapon as his athleticism in defence.
TOM FLANAGAN: The turn of the year, and Sunderland’s form, saw Flanagan make the spot on the left side of the back three his own.
It was a sign of how much Parkinson feels he is improving that he was offered a new deal when Alim Ozturk and Joel Lynch were not.
DENVER HUME: Hume came through a difficult start to the season to cement his place in the side.
Defensively he still has much to work on but the 3-4-3 system played to his strengths. He caught the eye of many teams in the division, particularly at the Stadium of Light, with his ability to open up the pitch by carrying the ball from deep.
Mid fi elders: MAX POWER:
Power took on a more disciplinedrole after Park in son’ s arrival, effectively playing as a holding midfielder.
Protecting the back four and keeping the team’s shape, he was also the player who Sunderland often turned to when they looked to switch the play and find the wing-backs in advanced areas.
JOSH SCOWEN: There had been some uncertainty of the contract he signed in Januarybut the clause which would have allowed a Championship side to sign him has passed and as such, he looks central to Park in son’ s plans in the current climate.
The time and effort Parkinson put into signing him showed how highly he rated him, and his energetic style seems perfectly suited to the box-to-box role required to play alongside Power.
GEORGE DOBSON: 36 appearances last season was a superb return after making the step up from Walsall.
That he kept Scowen out of the side so long was testament to the way he was able to execute Park in son’ s demands, as well as his improving discipline when the threat of suspension came around.
GRANT LEADBITTER:
It was immensely heartening to see Leadbitter returning for training at the Academy of Light. As he always has done, the central midfielder will bring an excellent passing range but more importantly, total dedication and professionalism. LYNDEN GOOCH: Gooch grew into a true senior player under Jack Ross but Parkinson’s arrival seems to have seen him go to another level.
For one, the 3-4-3 system allows him to stay central, which is where he wants to be.
It allows him to hurt teams on either foot and also suits his willingness to press opponents.
CHRIS MAGUIRE: Sunderland’s system relies heavily on Maguire to find that moment of quality, particularly with the mid fi elders behindrarely getting beyond the front three.
If the Black Cats are to improve on last season then they will need another big campaignfrom the popular attacking midfielder.
ELLIOT EMBLETON:
Without doubt, this is the most important campaign of Embleton’s Sunderland career to date. Free of injury, he’ll likely start behind Goo cha nd Maguire in the pecking order but it will be fascinating to see just how much of a real opportunityhe gets to prove his worth.
AIDE NMcG EA DY:McG ea dy has little future under Park in son
and seems unlikely to jointhefirst-teamgroupwhile his future is resolved.
Strikers: CHARLIE
WYKE: There were reports of interest from Ipswich Town earlier in the summer but it is highly unlikely that any bid would be entertained by Parkinson.
The Black Cats boss is keen to add another striker this summer but Wyke will see plenty of action having firmly established himself as the manager’s first choice last season.
WILL GRIGG: Grigg has said this summer that he is happy to stay at Wearside, but there have been equally pointed (and fair) comments stressing that the style of play, particularly during Parkinson’s early months, did not suit his game.
Grigg does not look a key part of the starting XI, but it is debatable whether any other League One clubs will be able to raise the capital needed to sign him. For now, the uneasy truce looks likely to continue.