The month of August saw Sunderland begin the new premier league season with a whimper. The Black Cats have conceded 10 league goals already and a further 3 to league 2 side Exeter in the Capital One Cup. A poor start has left the Wearsiders rock bottom of the league with many individuals underperforming, although, some have come out the opening month with an ounce of credit. Read Sunderland take a look at how the Black Cats squad have done thus far.
Costel Pantilimon – 6
It can be argued that the giant Romanian had no hope in the majority of the goals that has hit his net in August, However, an international goalkeeper with experience at top clubs should have done better with some of the goals, Nathan Redmond and Jamie Vardy’s goals spring to mind. Also, Pantilimon may need to purchase some new boots, with the keepers kicking woeful so far.
Billy Jones – 4
Jones hasn’t got off to the best start this season, his most obvious and consistent flaw is failing to stop the cross from the opposition wingers. Jones’ defensive frailties have become apparent this season without much support from Jeremain Lens on the right wing, and that has led to Sunderland looking increasingly vulnerable in defence. Jones must improve to keep his spot once Adam Matthews returns from injury this season.
Adam Matthews – 5
Sunderland fans are yet to see what Adam Matthews is capable of yet in a red and white shirt, with the Welshman only making a few cameo appearances before injuring his ankle in his first start against Exeter.
John O’Shea – 6
O’Shea had to fight to regain his starting place after being left out for the opening two games. When the captain returned against Swansea he played well and cemented his place in the team despite his performance decreasing since.
Sebastian Coates – 4
It has been a difficult start for Coates in his second spell at Sunderland. The Uruguayan has lost his starting spot to John O’Shea after a series of poor performances, particularly against Norwich and Exeter
Younes Kaboul – 5
Kaboul has looked off the pace since joining in a £3-million deal from Tottenham Hotspur this summer, he subsequently lost his place and regained it by default. Since returning to the side, he has improved and hopefully the Frenchman can build a strong partnership with John O’Shea this season.
Patrick Van Aanholt – 3
Possibly Sunderland’s worst performer and yet the Dutchman has started every game so far. The new signing of DeAndre Yedlin will finally provide some competition for Van Aanholt and this should hopefully bring some better performances from the former Chelsea man. Van Aanholt must improve his defending if he is to have a future at the Stadium of Light, with his left side being exposed far too often this past month and beyond.
Lee Cattermole- 3
A very disappointing start for Cattermole, the midfielder has conceded two penalties and has looked a shadow of the man who earned a new six-year deal this summer. Two early substitutions this season may indicate that Cattermole has lost his concrete place in the side, with Ola Toivonen likely to replace the Englishman in the middle of the park.
Jack Rodwell – 7
A much-improved start to the season from Rodwell who has began to show glimpses of why he was once labelled ‘the future of the England midfield’. The former Everton man has defended from the front and has chipped in with a few goals too. He has on occasions gone wandering from the matches and looked anonymous at times, but he is playing a lot better than last season.
Yann M’Vila – 8 (Player of the Month)
Yann looks like a proper player, he has the attributes of a perfect all round midfielder and has looked the part so far. His season-long loan move from Rubin Kazan has worked out well thus far, with M’Vila scoring a fantastic goal and defending in the middle of the park fantastically. More of the same is expected from the French international moving forward.
Adam Johnson – 5
Johnson didn’t do an awful lot before injuring his shoulder in training. He is set to return in the coming weeks and will have to fight to regain his spot.
Duncan Watmore – 7
The youngster has been a breath of fresh air this season and has finally been given an opportunity to test himself in the first-team. 2 goals in 3 substitute appearances is a fantastic record and hopefully Watmore will soon be starting matches in red and white.
Jeremain Lens – 7
Lens has two assists and a goal so far this season and I feel that we haven’t scratched the surface of the Dutchman’s ability yet. Lens has class and is a flair player for the Black Cats, his defending needs some work, but it has been a very decent start for Lens at Sunderland.
Ola Toivonen – 6
With just 45 minutes under his belt, it is hard to judge the tall Swede, but having said that, he does already have an assist to his name. Hopefully, Toivonen can be an attacking force in the Sunderland midfield, something the team has lacked since Stephane Sessegnon departed.
Lynden Gooch – 6
Gooch did very well against Exeter when he made his full competitive debut, he is certainly one for the future.
Steven Fletcher – 4
Such a frustrating player! Fletcher has the quality and scored on the opening day, but his work ethic is shockingly poor. He is certainly one of the ‘bad apples’ in the Sunderland squad that has failed many managers before him. At £12-million he should be a lot better and it has proved to be a shocking piece of business by Martin O’Neill in 2012.
Danny Graham – 4
Graham is the polar opposite to Fletcher, he has tremendous work ethic and will run all day for the team but lacks a lot of qualities. The former Watford man never looks like scoring in games and with 1 Sunderland goal so far in his career, his time is surely up at the end of the season.
Jermain Defoe – 8
Strikers are judged on their goals and Defoe has 5 goals in 5 games for August. A fantastic return for a player in a team who are rock bottom of the league. The England international has been Sunderland’s main attacking threat, and the recent arrival of Fabio Borini will release the pressure for goals from Defoe this season.
