Ahead of Sunderland's first away game of the season, we spoke to the Nose Bag Fanzine to discuss the start of their Championship campaign...
Your Championship season started with a draw at Bristol City, what were your thoughts from that game?
Bristol used to be our guaranteed three points! We turned up with a depleted squad having failed to sign all our targets in the summer. It was a patched up squad with players rotated and youth given a chance. So while it may seem like we escaped with a draw, we may have been unlucky to not come away with the full maximum. All things considered it was a good away point.
Who has been your best signing so far?
We've signed a young Danish lad Mads Frøkjær-Jensen who is showing signs of promise, and we signed Will Keane from Wigan who's doing well. Although the most exciting prospect we've brought in was Duane Holmes from Huddersfield. An attacking midfielder, it's nice to see him terrorising other defenders instead of ours.
Have you sold anyone important?
We lost Daniel Johnson to Stoke on a free. A great servant to the club, but it had all gone a bit stale in my eyes. It was a shame we couldn't have made around £2m on the market but the saving of £20k a week has given us greater freedom to freshen up the squad. Time will tell how the squad gels and to what the extent the of loss DJ is, for the good or the bad.
Speaking of transfers, where do you reckon Tom Cannon will go?
I think he's ours. I did see Sunderland were sniffing about but I think it's all set in stone, he knows what we're about, local to his home city and will slot straight back in.
What do you think of former Newcastle man Freddie Woodman?
What a catch. Rumours are rife that bigger clubs are already having a sniff and it's not hard to see why. I don't know the agreement we have with the Mags but if we sell, I can't see us getting too much from the deal. I thinks it's leaning that your mates up the road will get most of the wedge.
Who will cause us some damage, and which Sunderland player worries you the most?
If you give Mads room, he will punish you, Duane Holmes is looking a nuisance and we have a new young lad on the block, Kian Best who has hit the floor running. I don't think it's the players we know about we should be worried about but the players you've signed, they seem to be shrewd buys. Unknown quantities are a nightmare.
What's your score prediction for the game?
I'm going 1-1 or 2-1. I'm hoping the dreaded play-off hangover still hovering over your heads...
Where's the best place for a travelling Sunderland fan to get a pint?
There's not much around the ground and unfortunately away fans aren't allowed in the fanzone. If you like your craft, follow @abeerinpreston on Twitter for recommendations. Also @pnepolice are perfect for general boozer.
