Attention is also turning to a vitally important January window, as Sunderland look to cement their play-off place under new head coach Michael Beale. It has been an unusual first half of the campaign, with the Black Cats doing well to maintain their form despite the loss of Amad and Ross Stewart. And yet there has also been an inconsistency that has led to some bitterly disappointing results and big missed opportunities.
The underlying data suggests Sunderland are one of the strongest teams in the division, and yet they haven’t always found it easy to turn that into results and particularly against struggling sides. So how do the decisions taken by the club and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman now stand up to scrutiny? And what does it tell us about what as to happen next? We take a closer look, deal by deal...
5. BAILEY WRIGHT (OUT, MUTUAL CONSENT)
Wright’s departure looked highly likely from the moment he left on loan for Rotherham United last January. His leadership and dependability meant he would have been good to keep around, but no one could begrudge him the opportunity to find more regular playing time and to bolster his international prospects that way. The right decision by a true club servant. 7/10 Photo: Frank Reid
6. CARL WINCHESTER (OUT, SHREWSBURY TOWN)
Winchester’s departure was a formality, really, having gone on loan last season to take him up until the end of his Sunderland contract. Winchester was an exceptional servant for the club but his departure created opportunities for Trai Hume, who is developing into a serious asset. 7/10 Photo: FRANK REID 2021
7. LEON DAJAKU (OUT, HADJUK SPLIT)
It was undoubtedly the right moment for Dajaku and Sunderland to move onto the next chapter, with the winger struggling to find a regular place and role in the starting XI. Overall, though, this was deal that didn't pay off for Sunderland and their recruitment team. Dajaku represented a fairly significant investment on the club’s part that was not recouped in the summer, and his contributions on the pitch were only ever sporadic. 4/10 Photo: Frank Reid
8. JOE ANDERSON (OUT, SHREWSBURY TOWN)
Sunderland have no concerns over Anderson’s quality in possession and ability to fit into the team structure on that front, but were eager to see the physical side of his game develop further. To that end, that Anderson has already played 27 games suggests it’s been a well-selected loan move. By the end of the campaign, all parties should have a much better idea of what the best next step for the defender is. 7/10 Photo: Jeremy Ng