From takeovers to transfers… what will define Cats’ campaign?
The uncertainty has been heightened by the very public claimsmadebyWilliamStorey, only serving to underline the unease on Wearside.
The club has little chance of real progression without a long-term plan and absolute clarity at boardroom level.
By the time the season begins, we should have a better idea as to where things stand andifwedonot,fanswillrightly demand it.
Yet more uncertainty and yetanotherdisappointingconclusion will damage the mood significantly.
Last season, a sluggish but far from disastrous start to the campaign saw pressure rise overwhelmingly on Ross.
This time around, the lower profile of the current board meanstherehavebeennobold claims about titles and points targets,butpromotionhasneverbeenmoreimportantandso many will be looking for a fast start.
Sunderland’s search for morestrikingfirepowerforthe new campaign is yet to yield a positive result, and has been made even harder still by the new salary cap rules that significantly affect the wages the club can offer to potential targets.
It’s a major concern, given that the Black Cats have lacked a dependable goalscorer since Josh Maja.
Will Grigg’s future remains uncertain and though Charlie Wyke established himself as an integral part of Parkinson’s first-choice XI, there remain concerns both about the ruthlessness of the side’s finishing, and their ability to create chances regularly.
If Sunderland are to compete for the top two, both will need addressing. there will be plenty of teams prepared to offer just that when his contract expires.
Jack Diamond is still a player with time on his side but is being assessed in pre-season as to whether he will be part of Parkinson’s immediate plans.
It will also be very interesting to see how Parkinson’s necessarysearchforcoverand competitionatleft-backaffects Denver Hume’s encouraging development. players of the League One era so far, both left after a frustrating impasse and for a fraction of their value.
Much of Sunderland’s current squad is out of contract next summer and that makes sense given that their futures will largely depend on how Sunderland’s promotion push fares.
There are some key assets, however, that will need protecting.
The salary cap complicates matters as any new contract willbecountedinfull,butthere willbemanyclubstrackingthe progress of Jordan Willis and Luke O’Nien.
Good campaigns for Hume and Embleton will bring them into that category, too.
The departure of Richard Hill means the way Sunderland handle contract talks will change, and it is imperative improvements are made to prevent a repeat of recent mistakes.
Unsurprisingly, McLaughlin has quickly proven his worth at Rangers, keeping clean sheets in each of this three appearances thus far.
Parkinson remains in the market for competition for Lee Burge, who looks set as it standsforamajoropportunity to stake his claim at the beginning of the season. If Sunderland are to take the next step, theywillneedBurgetoprovide a steadyi ng presence.