Former Wolves defender Danny Batth is enjoying a renaissance in the Championship with former Sunderland ace Stephen Elliott labelling him ‘one of the best value for money signings’ in Black Cats history, speaking to Sunderland Echo.
For a club so often associated with baffling and often expensive mistakes in the transfer market, Sunderland’s return to the second-tier stage owes much to some inspired additions made in recent windows. Additions that, it must be said, have coincided with Kristjaan Speakman’s spell as the side’s sporting director.
Jack Clarke, Alex Pritchard, Patrick Roberts, Ellis Simms, Ross Stewart and the increasingly-effective Amad Diallo continue to catch the eye in the Championship. Veteran defender Batth, meanwhile, remains one of the most underrated centre-halves in the division, at least outside of Wearside.
The 32-year-old is playing perhaps his best football since captaining Wolves to the League One title nearly a decade ago.
“I have to mention Danny Batth,” says Elliott. “I’m running out of superlatives for the experienced stopper. His desire to defend his goal is immense, and (he) could go down as one of the best value for money signings the club have ever made.
“Big statement, but warranted in my opinion.”
Former Wolves captain Danny Batth enjoying Sunderland revival
Batth joined Sunderland on a free transfer in January following a difficult spell at Stoke City. And it is no coincidence that the Black Cats have found themselves on an upward trajectory since then.
Tony Mowbray’s side are currently 15th in the Championship table. Such is the nature of life in the second tier, there are only four points between Sunderland and sixth-place Millwall; this most topsy-turvy division as packed as a tin of sardines.
“We found a way to see it out,” Mowbray said following Friday’s 2-1 win at Birmingham City; a game best remembered by Adam’s stunning, swerving left-footed strike.
“The blocking late on when it was ricocheting around our box…
“Danny Batth was immense tonight in heading the first ball. When he was needed, he stood up. They all put a shift in and you have to do that.”
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