WDF Team to Watch: Sunderland AFC

Yes. Our Team to Watch for February is Sunderland. Not the Manchester teams or Tottenham, or even Liverpool (shocking inclusion, I know). Sunderland. A sinking ship in December became the Black Pearl of The Premier League (see Pirates of the Caribbean). In the eleven league matches since Steve Bruce was sacked Sunderland have had seven wins, one draw and three losses. This is due, in no small part, to the hiring of Martin O’Neil. Sunderland has won ten out of 15 matches in all competitions under O’Neil. (Oh, a fun fact: those three games they lost were against Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal, all by one goal.) Now, when Sunderland signed Sessegnon from PSG back in 2011, I thought that was a brilliant piece of business. He was great for PSG but never really showed his true ability in the EPL. He is now hitting unstoppable form with the Black Cats (see Norwich game, February 1^st). The team has evolved from the bland, boring football they played under Bruce to a free flowing, counter-attack game. Lining his side up in a formation similar to Bruce’s, O’Neil let Sessegnon play in a traditional number 10 role drifting from flank to flank or driving through the centre. Going forward, they look like a 4-4-1-1. Defending, the shape is that of a 4-5-1. Sessegnon was not the only resurrection that O’Neil brought about; players like James McClean and Fraizer Campbell have been revelations under O’Neil. Players drift in and out of position in a beautiful but simple fashion, leaving such teams as Norwich, Wigan and even Manchester City absolutely perplexed. O’Neil’s task now is to solidify his defense, as I do not see relying on Manchester United rejects Wes Brown and John O’Shea as the answer. Bring someone in like James Tomkins; a young centre-half who’s decent on the ball and is a good tackler. And most of all, he’s young! He has a good bit to learn but working with someone like O’Shea, who has played for one for the Big Boys, could help progress both Sunderland as a team and Tomkins as a player and a future England star. Oh yeah! And some bloody wingbacks! Wow does that ever need improvement! But, one thing at a time; I shouldn’t get too ahead of myself. Regardless of the slight vexations that need to be worked out, O’Neil has transformed a mediocre side into a dangerous threat in the Premier League.