Sunderland had hoped that Big Sam would be the one to resurrect their dwindling fortunes and status in the Premier League in his full season at the club. But he bundled off to be England’s Uncle Sam and Sunderland had to turn to long-term target David Moyes to steady the sinking ship. He came in raising expectations but the Black Cats were slow to start off with their transfer dealings. But they gradually got a move on and by the end of it covered quite a few areas. But the climb is uphill for them and Moyes will be wary of turning around the results quickly.
TRANSFERS
INS
Paddy McNair – Manchester United, £2.75m; Donald Love – Manchester United, £2.75m; Adnan Januzaj – Manchester United, loan; Steven Pienaar – Everton, free; Javier Manquillo – Atletico Madrid, loan; Jason Denayer – Manchester city, loan; Papy Djilobodji – Chelsea, £8m; Didier Ndong – Lorient, £13.6m
OUTS
Emmanuel Giaccherini – Napoli (undisclosed); Steven Fletcher – Sheffield Wednesday, free; Steve Harper – released; Wes Brown – released; Danny Graham – Blackburn, free; Martin Smith – Kilmarnock, free; Santiago Vergini – Boca Juniors, £0.77m; Mikael Mandron – Eastleigh, free; Liam Agnew – released; Adam Matthews – Bristol City, loan; Liam Bridcutt – Leeds United, £1m; Jordi Gomez – Wigan, free; Will Buckley – Sheffield Wednesday, loan; Younes Kaboul – Watford, £3.5m; Jeremain Lens – Fenerbache, loan
SOURCE: Sky Sports
WHAT MOYES GOT RIGHT
Moyes would have been sweating profusely towards the end of the window with a number of transfers in the pipeline. Adnan Januzaj was signed early on and he is expected to have a good season with his former boss to guide him. Steven Pienaar will look to bid adieu to the Premier League with another late flourish and Moyes will do well to fit him suitably in the team. Papy Djilobodji and McNair will have a huge responsibility on their shoulders and the duo have to perform. Ndong has been an impressive signing on deadline day along with Jason Denayer. The City man on loan might be a surprise success and he certainly has all the qualities to be one. With his versatility and promise he should be allowed to express himself.
WHAT HE MIGHT NOT HAVE
Although they were fairly busy, one does get the sneaky feeling Sunderland could have strengthened even further. Denayer has promise but he doesn’t have experience in Premier League and same goes for his inexperienced back-line. For a team that just about survived last season thanks to Kirchhoff, Kaboul and Kone’s brilliant combination, you’d think that a higher calibre of players would be needed to target a mid-table finish. Moyes might rue the absence of another striker later on as well.
T40 VERDICT- 6/10
