Sunderland had several problems in the goalkeeping department last season, but looked to have reinforced that position this summer.
Sunderland were relegated from the Championship last term with goalkeeping errors contributing heavily to their eventual demise.
The Black Cats fielded three different keepers last season in an attempt to replace their former goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, with Robbin Ruiter, Lee Camp and Jason Steele all failing to cement a permanent place between the sticks.
Sunderland manager Jack Ross, however, has spent the summer rebuilding for League One, with Scottish goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin arriving on Wearside and looking like he could be one of the third tier’s best goalkeepers next season.
The Wearsider’s lost England World Cup star and former goalkeeper Pickford when they were relegated from the Premier League in the 2016/17 season, but could finally have his replacement in McLaughlin.
The 30-year-old has plenty of experience across England and Scotland, having made 312 appearances either side of the border with Heart of Midlothian, Burton Albion, Bradford City, Harrogate Town.
McLaughlin hasn’t featured a lot for Sunderland pre-season, after a couple of minor injuries. The stopper, however, featured in Sunderland’s game against local rivals Middlesbrough, which was eventually abandoned due to adverse weather conditions, and the Edinburgh born man looks like an excellent signing.
McLaughlin pulled off a number of good saves in the half, with one of his best coming from a Paddy McNair shot.
Former Black Cats goalkeeper Pickford is an excellent distributer, and was often at the heart of Sunderland’s counter-attacks. After McLaughlin showed similar attributes against Middlesbrough, the Sunderland faithful may just be starting to get excited.
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