While Premier League clubs scramble to try and strengthen their squad’s before the deadline tonight, the Black Cats know they have until October 16th to make their final additions.
So while supporters wait for those deals to emerge, we’ve taken a trip down memory lane to recall Sunderland’s lively history with one of the most discussed days of the football calendar, ranking each one from the last ten years, from worse to best...
1. SUMMER 2014 - RICKY ALVAREZ & SEBASTIAN COATES
Alvarez has potentially proved to be Sunderland's worst ever signing, given the financial repercussions that still affect the club to this day. The forward had talent, of that there was no doubt, but he struggled with injury throughout the campaign. Sunderland attempted to back out of the deal to sign him permanently, but lost their case in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The financial consequences of that were felt for years, and the legal ramifications continue even now. Coates proved to be a dependable option for Advocaat in the closing weeks of the season, earning a permanent deal. Few appearances followed in the next campaign, but he has since gone on to have a very good career with Sporting Lisbon. Photo: OLI SCARFF
2. JANUARY 2018- OVIE EJARIA, ASHLEY FLETCHER & LEE CAMP
Chris Coleman needed reinforcements, particularly in light of Grabban's departure, but his January additions lacked the experience needed for a bitter fight against the drop. To their credit, both Ejaria and Fletcher have built good Championship careers off the back of this chastening spell. Ejaria in particular has emerged as one of the most highly-rated, technical midfielders outside the Premier League. Camp struggled for form in what was a notorious season for a struggling goalkeeping department, but also went on to play in the Championship with Birmingham City thereafter. Photo: Jack Thomas
3. SUMMER 2017 - MARC WILSON, JONNY WILLIAMS & CALLUM McMANAMAN
Supporters will remember this day for the sight of Simon Grayson cutting a disillusioned figure on Sunderland 'Til I Die. Williams and McManaman were players with attacking quality, but the former struggled with injury and the latter couldn't find any real rhythm after a long time without regular football. Grayson had been determined to land a striker, with Ross McCormack a key target, but the financial support wasn't there. It would define the season, particularly when Lewis Grabban left in January and the club was left desperately short of firepower in the final stages of the season. Photo: Getty Images
4. SUMMER 2016 - DIDIER NDONG & JASON DENAYER
It would prove to be the most controversial deadline day of them all. Sunderland opted against signing Yann M'Vila on a permanent deal, despite his influential role in the side during Allardyce's remarkable turnaround. The Black Cats eventually went past the fee paid for Asamoah Gyan six years previous to sign Didier Ndong from Lorient. Ndong did show promise in that first season, but was nowhere near as complete a midfielder as M'Vila and was unable to halt the club's slide to the Championship. His performances in the early part of the following season represented a marked decline, and he was eventually sacked by the club after failing to report for pre-season a year later. Another remarkably costly and ineffective addition. Jason Denayer made little impression in his season on Wearside, but has since shown his talent by starring in the Lyon side that made the latter stages of the Champions League last season. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS