David Moyes looks to transform Sunderland's fortunes but it won't happen overnight

David Moyes is aiming to transform Sunderland's fortunes - but admits it won't happen overnight.
David MoyesDavid Moyes
David Moyes

There is growing concern among Sunderland fans over whether the club can avoid another season of struggle given the underwhelming transfer business this summer, the sale of Younes Kaboul and the ongoing Lamine Kone saga.

The Ivory Coast international has rejected Sunderland’s offer of an improved contract at the Stadium of Light, with the 27-year-old the subject of an £18million bid from Everton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Less than 24-hours after turning down the new contract, Kone claimed he was not fit enough to take part in Sunday's game against Middlesbrough due to a back injury - leaving Moyes facing a defensive crisis.

Kaboul has completed his £3.5million move to Watford, leaving Moyes with no choice but to play John O'Shea and new signing Papy Djilobodji against Aitor Karanka's side.

Moyes admits the club is in a "transitional period," with the Black Cats' transfer business set to go down to the final days of the transfer window.

He wants to change the fortunes of the club but knows it won't happen overnight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ahead of the first home game of the season, Moyes said: "I want the support to get behind the club and the team, it was great momentum when they stayed up.

"Ultimately, I want to change the dynamics so that we are not talking about finishing near the bottom, ultimately we are pushing up.

"But I can't do that quickly. Every supporter I have met probably doesn't expect that to happen right away.

"We are in a little bit of a transitional period and they will have to allow us to get bedded down.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Whether it was me or Big Sam, they were still going to need to bring in players.

"A lot of players went out of the door. The way our country works, most of the business isn't getting done until the end of the transfer window, the last couple of days.

"There are two or three games you have to play, really, with not the side or all the players you would expect."

Moyes is looking to add another striker, right-back and midfielders to his squad as the priorities - with defensive recruits needed too should Kone depart for Everton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It would be unwise of me not to look at the short term because that is the ultimate thing we have to do," he added.

"But we don't want to be just bringing in players who we won't get value or anything back from them, we need to have re-sale value on the pitch if we are going to grow this club.

"There are going to be ups and downs along the way. I can't promise it will all be up, there will be bits that are down."