Sunderland’s League One January window signings rated
Sunderland certainly haven’ t been shy in using the January transfer window during their previous two seasons in League One - making no fewer than 11 signings during the winter trading period.
And while some have proved to be successful additions, others are best left forgotten with business mixed to say the least.
Here, we take a look at every player to have been signed by the Black Cats in the January transfer window since their drop into League One - and whether they can be considered a success or not.
GRANT LEADBITTER
Signed from Middlesbrough in the winter of 2019, Leadbitter made an immediate impact on the side as they reached the play-off final.
He has been a regular this term too, and has been one of Sunderland’s most consistent performers in a difficult League One campaign.
VERDICT: HIT
WILL GRIGG
The pursuit of the striker was laid bare on Sunderland ‘Til I Die, with Grigg eventually signed on January deadline day as a replacement for Josh Maja.
He’s struggled to hit the heights hoped for when he was signed, despite small glimpses of promise.
The striker has seen a specialist this week to discover the extent of a knee problem - which, once resolved, could perhaps unlock his best form.
VERDICT: THE JURY IS OUT
KAZ STERLING
Signed from Tottenham Hotspur on loan to add a different dimension to the Sunderland attack, Sterling showed flashes of excitement and scored in a win at Accrington Stanley.
His impact was limited, though.
VERDICT: MISS
JIMMY DUNNE
The Burnley defender was a solid if not spectacular performer in a Sunderland backline that was chopped and changed as the 2018/19 season came to a conclusion.
His impact was largely a positive one, and he’s arguably been one of the club’s better loan signings in re - cent seasons.
VERDICT: HIT
LEWIS MORGAN
The winger was another attacking player who it was hoped would add something different to Sunderland’s arsenal, but despite a handful of goals his performances were far from consistent.
His comments since leaving the club did little to enhance his memory on Wearside either.
VERDICT: MISS
KYLE LAFFERTY
Lafferty looked to be hitting his stride just as the 2019/20 League One season was curtailed, after a limited impact during his early weeks at Sunderland.
It was no surprise to see the striker leave come the summer despite his impressive two-goal showing against Gillingham.
VERDICT: MISS
JOSH SCOWEN
The midfielder was surprisingly given limited game time after his January arrival, but has become a regular in the squad this term.
Some fans are split on his impact, but he’s quickly growing into a key influence in the centre of the park.
VERDICT: HIT
TOMMY SMITH
Signed as cover following an injury to Joel Lynch, Smith failed to make an appearance for the Black Cats.
VERDICT: MISS
DECLAN JOHN
Similarly to Smith, John failed to even make the bench during his time on Wear side having been brought in to provide cover for Denver Hume.
VERDICT: MISS
ANTOINE SEMENYO
It was something of a shame that we didn’t get to see more of Semenyo, given that he evidently brought attributes to the table that were lacking elsewhere in the Sunderland squad.
He made just seven appearances, mostly from the bench, and so his impact was limited.
VERDICT: MISS
BAILEY WRIGHT
One of the club’s better January recruits of recent times, Wright has become a regular in the side with his influence on and off the pitch clear to see.
VERDICT: HIT.
*Former Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson is one of the early names being linked with the vacant manager’s job at Port Vale.
Vale sacked manager John Askey on Monday and are due to face Sunderland in theEFLTrophyn ext week.
Graham Alexander, who left Sal ford City last year, is the favourite to replace Askey and can be backed at 5/2 with bookmakers SkyBet.
Parkinson is the fifth favourite for the job at 10/1, behind Frank Sinclair, Emile Heskey and Danny Pugh.
Meanwhile, Sunderland were linked with Liverpool forward Liam Miller in the summer, yet the Canadian international wasn’ t thought to be a serious target for the Black Cats.
The 21- year-old has instead joined the Wearsiders’ League One rivals Charlton on loan until the end of the season, after signing a new contract at Anfield.
Charlton are sixth in the League One table, three points ahead of Sunderland.