Sunderland’s 2023/24 campaign came to a disappointing conclusion on Saturday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
It was a season that started with much promise after the brilliant sixth-placed finish the Black Cats managed to achieve in their first campaign back in the Championship. Despite some persistent struggles in the final third Sunderland looked well placed to at least to push to repeat that feat, but the departure of Tony Mowbray began a spiral all the way down to 16th. It looks set to be a crucial summer at Sunderland as they prepare to name Michael Beale’s permanent successor. And what next for the playing squad? Here, we assess every player in the senior squad over the course of the season, rate their campaign and discuss what it means for the bid rebuild ahead…
25. PATRICK ROBERTS
His campaign fell away badly after picking up an injury over the festive period and has clearly been short of his best over recent weeks. Mike Dodds has laid down the gauntlet for the 27-year-old to come back recharged in pre-season and recapture his previous performance level. A player of huge ability and there were signs of that early on in the campaign, though the absence of Amad and a proven striker stopped him from ever really catching fire. Rating: 5/10 | Frank Reid Photo: FRANK REID
26. JACK CLARKE
Pretty much a perfect campaign up until an ankle injury earlier this year. No coincidence that Sunderland’s results and attacking output declined significantly thereafter. Was simply outstanding through the first three quarters of the campaign, by some distance Sunderland’s most dangerous player. If top-tier interest materialises this summer and he departs the club as is widely expected then he will leave a huge hole in the squad. Sunderland’s strategy is to dry and develop successors to their key players while they are still in the building but at the moment, there looks to be a sizable gulf between Clarke and the rest. If he goes, they will have to reinvest. Rating: 9/10 | Frank Reid
27. ADIL AOUCHICHE
Not an easy season to judge in that Aouchiche has shown signs of real quality on a few occasions and yet has undoubtedly not quite been able to make himself a fixture in the team. Has real ability, takes risks and regularly gets in good positions - he probably should have scored a few more goals with the chances he had. The last two transfer windows have been disappointing from a Sunderland perspective, but Aouchiche is one of those who you could see going on to be a success if he can find some consistency. That’s the big challenge for him over pre season and beyond. Rating: 5.5/10 | Frank Reid
28. JEWISON BENNETTE
Will have been hoping to kick on this season and feature more regularly, so hard to judge the campaign as anything other than disappointing. In fairness, few would have been able to get past Jack Clarke in the pecking order this season and his assist for Chris Rigg against Southampton was one of the high points of the campaign. Had a tough loan in Greece, though as much due to injury as anything else. Rating: 4/10 | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid