How Cats’ rivals are shaping up
In a summer like no other, League One clubs are having to adapt to a changing marketplace.
With big fees predominantly out the window, clubs are having to become creative in their attempts to add to their ranks – leading to some interesting pieces of business thus far.
Here, we take a look at some of the deals which have caught the eye already in the third tier, and how some of Sunderland’s key rivals are shaping-up ahead of the new campaign…
LEWIE COYLE - HULL CITY
Hull’s implosion in the second half of last season has unsurprisingly deepened the major discontent amongst the club’s fanbase that has been growing for a number of years.
That raises obvious doubts about their promotion hopes but they have done some impressive early business.
Midfielder Richie Smallwood has won two League One promotions, while Mallik Wilks thrived with Barnsley
at his level.
Most impressive of all is the addition of Lewie Coyle, consistently one of the strongest right-backs at this level for Fleetwood Town.
SEAN RAGGETT PORTSMOUTH
Portsmouth have lost their key centre-back in Christian Burgess, who has made an interesting move to Belgium.
That only made securing the signature of last season’s loan star Sean Raggett all the more important.
Kenny Jackett’s side made a woeful start to the campaign but recovered strongly and Raggett was a key part of that.
MATTY TAYLOR - OXFORD UNITED
A proven goalscorer in the lower leagues, the loan deal Oxford struck to sign Taylor from Bristol City was one of the best bits of business done in the division last season.
Taylor has now signed a permanent deal and will be short odds for the leading goalscorer title given the chances that Oxford regularly create.
After their near miss last time out, Oxford will be strong contenders this season, though replacing influential loanee Marcus Browne will be key.
Attacking right-back Sean Clare, who has had two good seasons at Hearts, looks a very clever addition.
OLIVER SARKIC BLACKPOOL
Blackpool have been one of the busiest clubs in League One, following an expansive recruitment drive in January with another flurry of additions.
Sunderland fans will keep a close eye on Ethan Robson’s progress, with the talented midfielder finally set for a long run of games at League One level and a chance to show what he can do.
One of their best additions looks to be Oliver Sarkic, who had an excellent debut campaign with Burton Albion last time out and will bring pace and craft to a side that is taking on a more youthful look under new Head Coach Neil Critchley.
AIDEN O’BRIEN - SUNDERLAND
Bringing Bailey Wright back to the club was an important bit of business for the Black Cats and the addition of O’Brien brings some much needed variety and versatility to their forward line.
O’Brien was a popular figure at Millwall and had a good record at League One level there, particularly as he was often played slightly out of position. MAX EHMER - BRISTOL ROVERS
Alongside Blackpool, Bristol Rovers have been the most ambitious and active club in the transfer window so far.
As well as signing Jack Baldwin and former Chelsea youngster Josh Grant, Ben Garner pulled off something of a coup by landing experienced centre-back Max Ehmer.
Ehmer was a key player in the Gillingham side that was rarely far from the play-offs last season and will bring some much needed steel to a side that struggled for much of the last campaign. ZECH MEDLEY - GILLINGHAM
The salary cap rules, which also limit the number of players each squad can have above the age of 21, will make an already ferociously competitive loan market even more critical in the third tier.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the market has been a little slower in starting to move so far but in replacing Ehmer, Gillingham have moved quickly and effectively.
Medley is a highly-rated Arsenal youngster who already has senior appearances under his belt.
The clubs who can best utilise this market over the coming weeks will have a major advantage when the season begins. MIKAEL MANDRON CREWE ALEXANDRA
With Ehmer gone and Brandon Hanlan still to agree a new deal, the spine of Gillingham’s side from last season is changing.
Though never prolific, former Sunderland youngster Mandron was a regular for Steve Evans (and his brace at the Stadium of Light did much to push them out of the points-per-game play-off picture).
So it’s a good capture for newly-promoted Crewe Alexandra. LIAM BRIDCUTT - LINCOLN CITY
A team to watch out for this season, now that Michael Appleton has had time to better introduce what is a fairly significant change of direction from the Danny Cowley era.
Unsurprisingly given his past record at Oxford United, he is looking to bring in young and athletic players and the signing of Jamie Jones from Crewe Alexandra looks a canny one given there were other suitors in that division for the player.
The experience and composure of former Black Cat midfielder Bridcutt will therefore be all the more important.
Even in a struggling Bolton Wanderers side last season, his class stood out.