Speaking to SAFC, Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has spoken about the Black Cats transfer business this summer and his assessment of it.
Advocaat thinks that added competition in the Sunderland side can help to propel them up the table and have a continual improvement on his side.
The Sunderland manager was able to bring in eight new summer signings, two of which recently signed in the form of former Black Cat Fabio Borini and Spurs right-back DeAndre Yedlin (On-loan).
Borini is expected to make his second debut for Sunderland, this time as a permanent player, when they face Tottenham Hotspur at 1:30 Sunday lunchtime. DeAndre Yedlin will be unable to make his debut as he is restricted from playing versus his parent club, as per his loan contract.
Advocaat spoke to SAFC about the two recent additions, as well as how he thinks the competition for places will improve his team’s performances.
“The most important thing is that we now have a squad that can compete with each other,” said the Dutchman. “Everybody has to show during the games that he wants to play and that is the advantage compared to last season; we brought in some other players and they can do the job as well.
“It is not only about Lens, Defoe or Borini. The players we have brought in all have certain qualities and that is why they’re here, so it is important everybody understands what they have to do and what they are a part of.”
He continued: “Borini is a player the fans like and he is a hard-working player.
“People like that here and it is the same a little bit with Danny Graham – when he is in the team and he works hard the crowd get behind him.
“DeAndre can’t play on Sunday. He is a very promising player and for those kind of players it is better that they can play, so we will see now who can be the best.”
Spurs will go into the game as heavy favourites and Dick Advocaat will be hoping that his Sunderland side can cause an upset and get three points on the board come Sunday afternoon.
