One does feel bad for the Sunderland fans, not so much if you are a Boro fan or a Geordie. But the Black Cats have spent a number of harrowing seasons and have ridden their luck to tide over the troubling times but all the luck seems to have run out finally. David Moyes was supposed to bring back solidity and a compactness to the team but the Scot along with the shambolic board managed to mess up their first transfer window together which almost made sure a good season was off the table. While Sunderland languish at the very bottom with no apparent escape route in sight, let us take a brief look at a couple of players who have managed to shine amongst all this and a couple of big duds.
STARS
JERMAIN DEFOE
Sunderland can’t thank him enough. From carrying the team over the line last season to continuing to try and do that once again, he has been phenomenal. Sunderland failed to add to their strike-force in what was one of their many bizarre decisions. He has scored 6 important goals and has laid on an assist too. Carrying almost the entire responsibility and burden of staying fit and taking care of the offensive department of a struggling team, he has been excellent.
JORDAN PICKFORD
The recently promoted goalkeeper has had an excellent start to the season on a personal level. He convinced David Moyes to let go of the opportunity to sign Joe Hart and instead stick with him. An injury to Mannone gave the unexpected opportunity to the youngster and he hasn’t looked back since. He has been immense in goal. Showing great reflexes and an eerily calm head under pressure. Great things expected from him.
DUDS
LAMINE KONE
Kone was Sunderland’s second best performer after Defoe last season and Sunderland worked overtime to convince him to stay back, rejecting strong advances from Everton. But as the season has progressed, Kone’s body language hasn’t been the best and he has looked disinterested and devoid of any motivation at times. From being a necessity last season, it is almost as if Sunderland need to drop him to freshen things up at the back.
ADNAN JANUZAJ
The Manchester United loanee came in amid much fanfare to team up with Moyes, who was instrumental in giving the player his big break. With his development coming to a standstill at United, this seemed to be a perfect opportunity for him and the club to have a player with potential on board. But things haven’t panned out in the desired manner till now. With 0 goals and 0 assist in 7 appearances, Januzaj has been a big dud till now.
