Sunderland Odds: 8/1 Last Five Seasons 2005/06 - 20 (Premiership, Relegated), 2004/05 - 1 (Championship, Promoted), 2003/04 - 3 (Championship), 2002/03 - 20 (Premiership, Relegated), 2001/02 - 17 (Premiership). 2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Fourth Round vs Brentford (a) - lost 2-1. Carling Cup Third Round vs Arsenal (h) - lost 3-0. Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Anthony Le Tallec (striker) - 5 goals. Players In Kenny Cunningham (Birmingham City - Free). Players Out Julio Arca (Middlesbrough - 1,750,000), Kelvin Davis (Southampton - 1,000,000), Andy Gray (Burnley - 750,000), Gary Breen (Wolves - Free), Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United - Free), Martin Woods (Released). Sunderland have been the talk of the press all summer with Niall Quinn's consortium taking over the club giving the tabloids plenty to write about. In a fantastic twist, Quinn named himself as manager, after failing to lure a big name boss to lead the club back into the Premiership. High profile managers such as Martin O'Neill, Sam Allardyce and David O'Leary were all linked with the post. Quinn was a popular player during his time at the club between 1996 and 2002, where he made over 200 league appearances and scored 61 goals. Veteran defender Kenny Cunningham was Sunderland's first and, at the time of writing, only summer signing following his release from fellow relegated side Birmingham City. their first summer signing. The 35 year old former Millwall and Wimbledon centre back agreed a one year contract following four seasons at St Andrews. Cunningham will be seen as an ideal replacement for fellow veteran Gary Breen who joined Wolves on a free transfer. Several players have been allowed to leave the Stadium of Light, including goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who joined Championship rivals Southampton in a 1 million deal. Joe Murphy has also left for Scunthorpe United, leaving locally born youngster Ben Alnwick as the only recognised keep at the club. While striker Andy Gray, who struggled to make an impact following his 1.1 million move last summer, has been allowed to join Burnley, Sunderland have rejected an offer from Reading for midfielder Dean Whitehead. The 24 year old impressed in a poor Premiership display from the team last season and top flight new boys Reading tempted the board with a 1.2 million offer for a player who joined them for just 150,000 two years ago. Verdict This will be a very interesting season for Sunderland as former player Niall Quinn returns as owner and manager. Player for player, they should be challenging for automatic promotion following the side winning the Championship two seasons ago but a lack of transfer activity thus far could mean the club will have to be content with a place in the play offs. |
