Tuesday 9 August 2016 13:58, UK
As we preview the new Premier League season, we pick out five questions for Sunderland.
What have they done in the transfer market?
Not a lot yet. After the disruption caused by Sam Allardyce's exit, new boss David Moyes is having to get up to speed fast in order to familiarise himself with the club's requirements. The loss of last season's loanees DeAndre Yedlin and Yann M'Vila leaves an obvious hole.
Having last been in management in England at Manchester United, Moyes has already been linked with Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini. The Scot remains proud of his record in the transfer market and will no doubt back himself to come up with something soon. Defender Papy Djilobodji has already arrived from Chelsea for £8m.
What does the manager say?
"I'm having to find out about the market quickly, and seeing what is there. At the moment the market is difficult and getting a price and valuation on someone is not easy. It's obvious we need a new right-back, a centre-half and a centre-forward - and that's before we even start to think about anything else or improving a different area."
What's the pundit verdict?
Paul Merson says: "David Moyes is a good manager and this is a perfect job for him without the pressure of a club like Manchester United. He will make Sunderland hard to beat and they will pick up good results along the way."
David Moyes is a good manager and this is a perfect job for him.
What's your prediction?
Sunderland are 1000/1 with Sky Bet to lift the Premier League title and are 9/2 to finish in the top half of the table. Perhaps more pertinently, the Black Cats are 5/2 to be relegated. Veteran striker Jermain Defoe is a 40/1 shot to be the Premier League top scorer.
