Cats fans want midfield bolstered as a priority in summer window
Sunderland fans have called for Lee Johnson and the club’s recruitment team to add pace and young, hungry players to the side – with central midfield a priority.
The latest results from our Big SAFC Survey reveal the transfer priorities for the Sunderlandfanbase,whohavealso been less than impressed with the recent recruitment at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland once again find themselves on the verge ofamajorsummeroverhaulas the Black Cats look to get out of thethirdtieratthefourthtime of asking.
DefeattoLincolnCityinthe LeagueOneplay-offsemi-final condemned the Black Cats to another season at this level.
And fans have urged the recruitment team to prioritise themidfieldforimprovement.
Sunderland recently announced their retained list with Grant Leadbitter, Max Power and Josh Scowen all departing this summer.
We asked readers which area of the squad needed to be strengthened the most?
Fans were clear, central midfield won 43.4% of the vote with central defence second with 20.3%.
Sunderland are to offer fresh terms to 31-goal striker Charlie Wyke, but there remains increasing doubt over his future.
In total, 14.9% of fans that responded to the Echo’s Big SAFC Survey wanted the club toprioritisebolsteringtheirattacking options this summer.
Over 50% also wanted to see pace added to the side, with 28.6% of readers urging for young, hungry players to be signed when asked what should the transfer priority be this summer.
Fans were also less than impressed with the transfer business during the winter window, with 45.9% describing it as poor and just 32.3% describedthemselvesascontent.
9.5% described it as very poor and just 11.1% as good.
As revealed yesterday, fans want to see upwards of £3million spent on improving the squad this summer.
However, supporters have already been warned that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus will be measured in his spending and head coachLeeJohnsonhasalready said that he expects to be operatingonaslightlyreducedplaying budget.
The club still has some significant earners and a wage bill massive for the level (£14,504,000 for the 2019/20 season).
*Sunderland’s chief operating office Steve Davison says approximately 21,000 season tickets have been purchased for next season.
Davison met with Sunderland supporter groups, including Red and White Army, along with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and head ofsupporterengagementChris Waters.
The minutes of the meeting state: “SD is happy with howtheseasoncardcampaign went, there are approximately 21,000 purchased for next season.
"Hospitality sales have gone very well. There has been less engagement with younger fans and this is in common with many other clubs and a hangover from the pandemic / streaming views.”
The minutes also read: “KS believes the team has shown, at times, the type of football we want to play. The squad review hasbeencompleted.Ananalyticalapproachhasbeenusedto buildayouthfulenergeticteam for the future.”