---
title: "Sunderland: Josh Bunting ‘would have loved’ a proper number nine"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-josh-bunting-news-journo-reacts/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2023-02-01T12:35:08Z"
modified: "2023-02-01T12:35:08Z"
---

# Sunderland: Josh Bunting ‘would have loved’ a proper number nine

**[Sunderland](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/)-supporting journalist Josh Bunting ‘would have loved’ the Black Cats to have signed an out and out striker in the January transfer window.**

### The Lowdown: Sunderland’s transfer business

Loanee striker Ellis Simms was [recalled](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/30/everton-lampard-ellis-simms-sunderland-loan-recall#:~:text=Everton%20recall%20Ellis%20Simms%20from%20Sunderland%20loan%20to%20plug%20goals%20gap,-This%20article%20is&text=Everton%20have%20cut%20short%20Ellis,to%20buy%20time%20as%20manager.) by Everton at the end of December, which came as disappointing news for Sunderland, given that he had weighed in with [seven](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ellis-simms/leistungsdaten/spieler/511550) goals and two assists in the Championship.

In terms of arrivals, the Black Cats brought in Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt on a [loan](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64427889) deal for the rest of the season, defender Joe Anderson [joined](https://safc.com/news/team-news/2023/january/joe-anderson-signs-for-sunderland) on deadline day and Pierre Ekwah was [signed](https://safc.com/news/team-news/2023/january/pierre-ekwah-signs-for-sunderland) to bolster the midfield.

### The Latest: Bunting’s comments

The one area that Bunting wishes Sunderland had strengthened further is the attack, but he does believe they still have enough attacking quality, [saying](https://twitter.com/Buntingfootball/status/1620556722137071617?s=20&t=q-NkhxQgr7vUWbeOOR75Zg): *“Without doubt I would have loved another 9 absolutely but there’s so much quality in and around Gelhardt. Look when Stewart came off at Fulham, Sunderland still creates openings in the game whilst playing in between the lines. Frustrating but I’m honestly not all that worried.”*

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410591″\]

### The Verdict: Could pose a problem…

Bunting has an optimistic outlook about how Tony Mowbray’s side will fare without a new attacking signing, but the reality is that it could be the difference-maker in their push for the [Championship](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/championship-news/) playoffs.

Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has recently detailed that Ross Stewart will be out for the rest of the season (via [Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderlands-ross-stewart-reportedly-ruled-26116476)), which is a massive blow, with the striker [scoring](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ross-stewart/leistungsdaten/spieler/447995) a remarkable ten goals in 13 Championship games so far this term.

While new arrival Gelhardt has been [hailed](https://twitter.com/jakewinderman/status/1477670283372904451?s=20&t=yQon41FRQXsCdY0_z24OUw) as ‘fantastic’ by the media, he is still only 20, and it is unclear whether he will be able to take on the bulk of the responsibility in front of goal, netting on just [two](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joe-gelhardt/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/503980) occasions in 20 Premier League appearances for Leeds last season.