Cats squad capable of challenging at the top?
Phil Smith addresses more talking points from the Stadium of Light.
Q: By the time the season starts, can we realistically have a squad capable of challenging at the top? Can' t imagine any investment during the sale process, new owners won't have time to buy, can see the squad being made up of free and youth players.
PS: It’s a really interesting question.
If (as I expect) the deal for Bailey Wright gets done, then you are basically back to the XI that played the vast majority of the campaign after the turn of the year.
Of course, you’re missing Jon McLaughlin and he will be a big miss even if Lee Burge looked more than capable when called upon last season, especially in the cups.
That XI did OK and you would expect to be competitive. Of course, that isn’t good enough for a third season in League One so as you allude to, it becomes about doing the business that can lift you up a level.
In terms of investment, it depends how you define it.
No, I certainly don’t expect there to be significant fees spent without a takeover.
In the current climate, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not investing. Wright, for example, is coming from a Championship side and so it’s not an insignificant commitment if the deal runs a couple of years.
Sunderland should be able to challenge for the top, and make additions that can be important at this level without major investment.
The question is whether the structure is in place to do that and that’s what we will find out over the coming weeks.