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betting » Previews » Sunderland

Sunderland

By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited

 

Finally some useful additions


 

The days of spending just for the sake of it are finally over and the effervescent Black Cats fans can now get their hopes high for more stability and thus a season riddled with much less disappointments. Bruce is slowly getting hold of Sunderland and with the investment of more time this team can become one of the contenders for the European places.

 

 

Coach: Bruce

 

Tactics: 4-4-2

 

Players In: Gyan, Mensah, Bramble, Onuoha, Welbeck, Angeleri, Riveros, Mignolet

 

Players Out: Kenwyne Jones, Cana, D. Murphy, Fulop, Tainio, Waghorn

 

Current Probable Formation: Mignolet, Onuoha, M. Turner, Bramble, Bardsley, Al Muhammadi, Henderson, Cattermole, Malbranque, K. Richardson, D. Bent

 

 

 

Manager Bruce is getting more familiar with the Stadium of Light and the passionate fans and his response has been great. The board have not held back as they gave in to most of his judicious requests with the proverbial cherry on the cake being that of Ghanaian World Cup star Gyan joining in from Rennes. When one witnesses such feeling of collaboration between the manager and the directors of the club it shows that positive things are to be expected.

 

Undoubtedly, the many new names do mean as well that the boat will be rocking a little too much for guaranteed success at the very start but hopefully they can finally settle and prevent anything like that sad 14-game winless streak that characterized Sunderland’s campaign last year half way through the season. Had it not been for that dark patch they could have certainly managed far better than their somewhat disappointing 13th place in the standings.

 

Prolific goal scorer Bent is still poised to lead the attack and eager to bang in enough to surpass last year’s total of 24 Premier League goals. Bruce’s tactics revolve mostly around him with the team made to work for the English international and therefore asked to look for him from anywhere possible. That is the reason for the five-man midfield backing the striker with wingers Richardson and Al Muhammadi putting their speed and crossing abilities behind that pursuit. Malbranque is the most offensive of the midfielders and will be the one hovering closest to the box just behind Bent. Cattermole and Henderson will be in charge of defending mostly.

 

This setup will create problems for the immediate introduction of Gyan. Malbranque or Bent would be the ideal players to replace but with their contributions having been massive last season it will be unlikely to see any of the two dropped in favour of the Ghanaian.

 

Last year’s Paraguayan acquisition Paulo da Silva had not been such a discovery but hopes for this year’s Paraguayan addition are high. Of course he will need to show greater powers of adaptability to the Premier League than his compatriot ever did if he is to break into this squad. Another South American newcomer, Argentine defender Angeleri, is also poised to become a back-up player at Sunderland. Goalkeeper Mignolet is set to be cast right into the first team after last year’s lack of continuity with Scottish number one Gordon.

 

Right in front of Belgian promise Mignolet will be a defence composed of the following from right to left, Onuoha – M. Turner – Bramble – Bardsley. Half of this backline is new with Bramble and Onuoha making the switch to the Black Cats this summer. This means that time will be required before it all settles down for Sunderland at the back. Bramble will also need to undergo a period of observation by Bruce given his blunders in the past. However, the very fact that despite the rumours Bruce moved in on him means that the manager does have faith in the strong centre-half.

 

 

Predicted finishing position: 9th

 

Time is needed for Sunderland’s defensive tactics to be tweaked to perfection. The attack should once again revolve all around Bent but if things go well for them they should be a danger in the Premier League. Their dependence on the powerful striker may be mitigated for by newcomer Gyan but it is undeniable that without Bent the Black Cats are a less efficient machine.



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