The punters here at the Transfer Tavern are wondering if this is finally the year that Sunderland fail to make the great escape.
It has been the same old story for the Black Cats in recent seasons, where they are often left in a relegation battle all year, before eventually putting together a run of form towards the end of the season to beat the drop.
This year it is the task of Sam Allardyce, who replaced the recently departed Dick Advocaat. Sunderland have had a typically awful start to the season, most recently getting thumped 6-2 by Everton. One thing that the former manager Advocaat did pick up, however, was that in recent years the recruitment at Sunderland had been desperately poor.
Quite simply, previous Sunderland managers had been spending far too much money on very average players, and this year they might finally be made to pay for it. Known as a manager who prides himself on a strong defensive foundation, Sunderland will look to bring in some signings of their own, something that we here at the Transfer Tavern had recently covered.
However, while Allardyce needs to bring in new recruits, he also needs to trim and refine a very average squad. Here below are five players who Sunderland could afford to give the axe this winter.
Hit Allardyce below to see FIVE players Sunderland should axe in January!
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Wes Brown
The fact of the matter is, while Brown is a highly experienced defender, Sunderland cannot afford to keep playing him and John O’Shea at the back anymore. With a combined age of 70 between them, pace is going to be a huge issue for the pair.
O’Shea is currently the club captain and two years younger than Brown, so Allardyce may look to bring in his own defensive recruits, and ask the former Manchester United defender to make way.
Danny Graham
I personally have never really seen what Graham has brought to the Sunderland side. Arguably, Defoe, Fletcher and Borini are far better options for Allardyce, who will be better off bringing in a striker of greater quality to provide stiff competition for those three.
Graham has hardly been prolific for the Black Cats, and unfortunately is simply a bit of a passenger in the side.
Liam Bridcutt
Recently linked with a loan move to Leeds United, Bridcutt was brought in by Gus Poyet, where they had worked together at Brighton. Unfortunately, Bridcutt does not really look like he can cut it at Premier League level. A fine championship player at the anchor of midfield, but simply isn’t going to be a player that will keep the likes of Yann M’Villa and Lee Cattermole on their toes.
Will Buckley
Also purchased by Poyet from Brighton, Buckley is due to return from his loan spell at Leeds United in January, but it will be unlikely that Allardyce will find a place in the squad for him. Buckley, like Bridcutt, has not really shown he is of Premier League quality, and Big Sam has far better options in the wide areas.
Big Sam would be better off in trying to get some quality out of Italian winger Emmanuelle Giacherrini, who is also currently on loan.
Santiago Vergini
A player who given his defensive ability, is also unlikely to last long under Allardyce. Vergini has at times been atrocious for Sunderland, and it is unsurprising that he was also sent on loan to Getafe this season.
Allardyce would be better off axing the Italian all together. He simply offers nothing positive to the squad, and will not be missed one bit by Sunderland fans.
