We did a little season preview for World Soccer magazine today, so thought we’d share it on here too…
1 In a sentence or two, how would you describe last season for your club?
The season started quite well, after lots of confusion regarding our takeover in pre-season. However, we tailed off and limped over the finish line and were disappointing in the playoff final.
2 What are your hopes and fears for the 2019-20 season?
Hopes. Automatic promotion. I don’t want to sound arrogant but a club the size of Sunderland should never be in League One. If we fail again, manager Jack Ross surely has to be on his way out.
Fears. Being slow out of the blocks. Fans are nervous and rightly so, as we are 40 days away from our first game and still no signings. Our current squad certainly isn’t good enough for promotion, as we showed last season.
3 Who was your biggest hero last season?
I’d probably say Lee Cattermole. After being part of a supposed rotten core for the past couple of years, Catts has rejuvenated himself and become a vital cog in the system.
4 Who was your biggest villain?
That’s a tough one as there doesn’t seem to be any bad attitudes in the sqaud, but it would have to be Josh Maja. It is almost a certainty that if he’d have signed a contract and stayed in January, his amazing goal record would have won us automatic promotion. Not to mention Jack Ross was playing a system at the time that suited him perfectly.
5 What was your team’s best song/chant last season?
Wise Men Say. It was such an emotional moment when we sang it before the Checkatrade Trophy, it symbolised everything that’s good about our club and everyone coming together as one following some of the darkest times in the club’s history.
6 Is there a youngster to watch out for?
Denver Hume will most likely be our starting left back next year. He’s only 20 and showed a lot of confidence and quality last year, before an unfortunate string of injuries allowed Bryan Oviedo back into the team. Hume is a great attacking threat, incredibly quick and a decent defender. I wouldn’t be surprised if he attracts a Premier League or Championship team in the near future, hopefully he’ll achieve that at Sunderland…
7 Who is your most under-rated player?
Dylan McGeouch, as he didn’t really get a look in at the back end of the season. He was fantastic in pre-season before picking up an injury. When he eventually worked to get back into the team, he was very impressive. However, he then got another small injury which coincided with us signing Grant Leadbitter, this kept him out of the team and he couldn’t get back in on a regular basis.
8 How are relations between the fans and the owners?
The owners have been very open since buying the club. The PR has been great, ever since changing the seats at the Stadium of Light.
