Of the new players, it was Steed Malbranque who caught my eye most.
El-Hadji Diouf has made most of the headlines since his arrival and I think the fans are going to love him.
-
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Sign up for free SAFC email updatesBut he had a good rather than a great game on Saturday. Teemu Tainio was quietly impressive. Pascal Chimbonda was OK and will improve once he settles.
But I thought Malbranque hit the ground running and was arguably the main man on the pitch in the first half-hour.
Some of his passing, movement and skill was terrific and his tackling was of the highest quality.
I think it's fair to say that the fans are still waiting for that X-Factor signing. It might come. It might not.
But I don't think anyone can dispute the quality of the players we have brought in so far.
They have great technique and quality and I think they'll settle quickly simply because the Premiership is where they are at home.
The full article contains 193 words and appears in Sunderland Echo newspaper.
