English Premier League: Sunderland

[dennison]

The most significant addition to the squad is without doubt Kieran Richardson.

That said, you would be best advised not to get carried away just yet. While Roy Keane's pedigree as a player is unquestioned, he is still a young and inexperienced manager. Sunderland performed impressively in what turned out to be quite a weak Championship. The Premiership is a whole different beast.

Also, keep in mind that a lot of Keano's standout players have been Man Utd loanees. These are players he had the luxury of having played with and has personal experience with, an advantage he will not have this season, with the exception of Kieran Richardson -- who, bizarrely, was one of the players he most strongly criticised in his TV tirade that eventually meant the end of his Man Utd career. While I rate Richardson as a player, I am perplexed by this signing. This is effectively Keane's first foray into the transfer market.

Sunderland have been a yo-yo club in recent seasons and it shouldn't be lost on you that they consistently post record low points totals in the Premiership. Realistically Keano will be looking to avoid relegation. A top half finish will be considered an unqualified success. I'll lay you 500/1 that Sunderland will not finish in the top 6.

Personally, I see them avoiding relegation and finishing in the 12-15 spot. Keano is inexperienced but his knowledge is current, having played with and against many of the Premierships current stalwarts. But lest not get carried away. Don't forget that pundits were predicting West Ham to be flying high in Europe with the signings of Tevez and Mascherano, yet they only avoided relegation on the last day of the season.

Either way, it is going to be interesting. It always is!