The Sunderland fans here in the Transfer Tavern have been a fairly miserable bunch during the current campaign, although their performances of late have gone a long way to suggesting that they are capable of staying in the Premier League.
The Black Cats currently occupy 17th place in the division and are joint on points ahead of Norwich City.
Next season is likely to see a overhaul of the squad by boss Sam Allardyce, regardless of what division they will play their football in, with several outgoings and incomings expected at the Stadium of Light.
This got our writer Lee Clarke thinking who could possibly be heading for the exit door, and here he selects FIVE players who should be axed by Allardyce ahead of the 2016/17 campaign……
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!
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Wes Brown
The central defender always has a mistake in his locker and Sam Allardyce is likely to offload the ex-Manchester United man during the summer.
Brown is now 36-years-old and Sunderland will soon start to look towards the signing of a younger central defender, as the Black Cats look towards the future.
The defender will not be on measly wages and the club could do a lot better than Brown, with Allardyce likely to recruit heavily during the summer.
Brown has played just six times for Sunderland this season, with fitness and injuries finally catching up with him after nearly 20 years as a professional.
Sebastian Larsson
The ex-Arsenal youngster is getting beyond his peak and he has little impact on games these days, with boss Sam Allardyce seemingly not favouring the player.
A pretty versatile midfielder, Larsson was a regular for Sunderland under previous managers but at 30-years-old, the Swede now looks down to be the Black Cats’ pecking order.
He has featured for Sunderland just 13 times this season and that won’t be deemed good enough for the player, with the time looking right to move to pastures new ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.
Vito Mannone
The former Arsenal goalkeeper hasn’t been in bad form this season but in keeping the Italian at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland are holding back talented stopper Jordan Pickford.
The 28-year-old keeper has been in and out of the Sunderland first-team during the campaign and is currently in possession of the first-team gloves.
Mannone is a good keeper without being spectacular but in young stopper Pickford, the Black Cats have a player who could be a real talent within English football for years to come and the time is right for him to be utilised by the club.
Jeremain Lens
The 28-year-old Dutchman hasn’t had the greatest of first seasons in English football and should the Black Cats go down into the Championship, it is difficult to see him sticking around at the Stadium of Light.
The striker has netted just twice in his maiden season for the Black Cats and has already had a furious spat with boss Sam Allardyce, which will probably hinder his chances of staying with the club beyond the end of the season.
Lens is easily replaced and it would be no surprise whatsoever should the club and, indeed Sam Allardyce choose to part with the player at the end of the season.
Younes Kaboul
Like Wes Brown, Kaboul always possesses an absolute clanger in his locker and tightening up the defence is likely to be a priority for the Sunderland boss in the summer.
The ex-Tottenham Hotspur man has played just 12 games this season and his wages could be used more wisely next season.
The central defender is now at the age where he would be regular first-team football in an ideal world and there is very little chance of him doing that at the Stadium of Light, particularly next season.
