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Season Preview: Sunderland

Last updated : 13 August 2009 By Daryl Baker
How did you fare last season?
Very poorly, just scraped by.

How do you expect you'll do this season?
Things are looking great for Sunderland in all honesty. We've made some great signings. With a good centre back too we’ll be rock solid - we've been heavily linked with Distin.

I am looking for a comfortable mid-table finish.

What have you done in the transfer market this summer? Which of your new signings are you expecting most from?
I think we've made some great signing and every supporter I know is over the moon with them too.  It will be a hard choice between Darren Bent, Lorik Cana, Frazer Campbell and Cattermole, but I guess if Bent does his job and scores plenty of goals he will be the main man.

Where do you think you'll need to strengthen in the January transfer window?
If we don’t sign any defenders maybe a centre back, but with our signings
in this window I can’t see us spending much cash in January or needing to
for that matter.

Have you any promising youngsters breaking into the team?
We have got a few youngsters coming through but Steve Bruce has sent them out on loan to lower league teams to get the experience. The main one to point out is a young striker called Martyn Waghorn, on loan at Leicester at the minute.

Have you got the right man in charge of the team? Will he still be there at the end of the season?
I have to admit I was a little disappointed when we got Steve Bruce, but he has quickly changed my mind. He's said the right things and has made some cracking signings for us, but at the end of the day it’s the results and the league that count so time will tell.

Is the club being run well? Are you likely to be singing 'Sack the board' any time soon?
Our club is probably the best run in the league. Niall Quinn is a complete legend, the man is at god status around Sunderland. He's done so much for not just Sunderland as a club but the city too.  Along with our new billionaire owner Ellis Short who has just taken over at the end of last season, and is proving that he's willing to open his wallet and is saying all the right things about the club, things are looking fantastic.

Which team do you most want to beat and why?
Now that Newcastle are a Championship club - hahaha - I’d say Spurs. I have nothing against them as fans or a team but I want to get one over Redknapp and chairman Levy.

Who do you think will win the league?
Unfortunately and very boringly Man U.

Who do you think's going down?
Burnley, Portsmouth, Wigan.

How do you think Hull City will fare this season?
You guys need to sign some players although I think you will stay up. It will be the bottom half. I have just heard that you have signed Stephen Hunt who is a cracking signing; you need a couple more like him.

Daryl Baker is editor of Sunderland Mad

Click here to read what Daryl said at the end of last season about how Sunderland got on in 2008/09