August has been a difficult month for Sunderland with the Black Cats ending it bottom of the pile with just two points to their name. Read Sunderland have somehow managed to scrape an XI together from the best performers in red and white over the past month.
Costel Pantilimon
Not a hard one, he’s the only goalkeeper that has played! The Romanian hasn’t been bad but he hasn’t been good either, his kicking and getting down to his posts, in particular, have been poor. He has made the odd good save and is still very commanding on crosses and hopefully the former Manchester City man can get back to last seasons form.
Adam Matthews
Yes, Matthews has only had a bit-part role thus far this season before his injury. However, Billy Jones has been shambolic at right-back, therefore making Matthews’ performances looks a lot better.
John O’Shea
John O’Shea had to fight to regain his place in the team after finding himself among the substitutes for the opening two matches. He has been OK since his return to the side and played well against Swansea, his partnership with Younes Kaboul against Aston Villa showed promise.
Younes Kaboul
Kaboul is lucky to get into this team, but shambolic defending from Sebastian Coates, coupled by Kaboul’s decent display against Aston Villa has crept him into the team of the month.
Patrick Van Aanholt (I know…)
Not a lot to say really. He has been awful but Sunderland literally have nobody else, the signing of DeAndre Yedlin will keep the Dutchman on his toes.
Jack Rodwell
A much better start to the season for Rodwell, who has helped out both attacking with two goals, and defensively with his defending from the front attitude.
Yann M’Vila
The French international has arguably been Sunderland’s best player of the opening set of games. His fantastic goal against Aston Villa topped off what was a superb midfield perfromance, and the on loan Rubin Kazan man will be vital for the Black Cats this year.
Ola Toivonen
Toivonen has done more in 45 minutes than Lee Cattermole all season. His attacking flair and quality brought him an assist within 10 minutes of his debut. He gets the nod over Cattermole who has been poor after conceding two penalities so far.
Duncan Watmore
Two goals in three subsitiute appearcnes is an amazing return for the yongster. Watmore is a fan faorite for his sheer work ethic and excitment factor, and hopefully the England under-21 international can play his way into the first-team this season.
Jeremain Lens
Lens has been decent so far in a Sunderland shirt, scoring once and assiting twice in 4 appearences, which isnt a bad return at all. I feel that Lens can only get better and looks a great signing by Dick Advocaat.
Jermain Defoe
Five goals in five games is a superb record for Defoe who has found his shooting boots this season. The former West Ham man is in top form and despite playing on the left side of a front three, he has still managed to find the back of the net. The recent signing of Fabio Borini will allow Defoe to move back into the centre and hopefully he will score even more in the coming months.
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