Tony Cascarino says that Sunderland’s major issue has been recruitment and that David Moyes has been lazy with his signings.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Former Chelsea striker and now football pundit, Tony Cascarino, feels that Sunderland’s poor recruitment policy is the primary reason behind the club’s downfall this season.
Sunderland were relegated last week after the Black Cats lost 1-0 against Bournemouth.
After the match when David Moyes was asked whether he would stay at the club, he said he would require time to think about it.
“To think about it and talk about it now is just too quick,” he said, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“They’re questions for a week or two down the line – I’m not sure it’s for now. I’d like to make sure we get Sunderland back in the Premier League.”
Cascarino was surprised with Moyes’ vague comments after the match, as not many Premier League clubs would want him after such a poor campaign.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe in action
He adds that Sunderland’s condition is even worse than Aston Villa when they were relegated, as the Black Cats are likely to lose their top players – Jermain Defoe and Jordan Pickford – in the summer.
“If Moyes leaves then who would want him? He would effectively be retiring. Sunderland are in a worse position than Aston Villa were last season given that they will likely lose their top goalscorer in Jermain Defoe and their goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, who is their great hope,” wrote Cascarino for The Times.
While it is hard to pinpoint one particular reason for Sunderland’s demise, Cascarino feels that recruitment is one area where the Black Cats could have been smarter.
He particularly blames Moyes for being lazy in the transfer market.
While Moyes has signed players that are past their best mainly from his old club, in contract Marco Silva, who is on track to keep Hull City up, has signed players from Europe.
Cascarino has made a valid point here. Sunderland’s u-23 team reached the final of the International Cup against Porto – could Moyes have promoted some of the young players from that talented bunch?
“One of the real issues has been recruitment. I think Moyes has been lazy with his signings. Of the ten players he signed this season, he had managed seven of them before,” wrote Cascarino.
“One good thing happening at Sunderland is that their under-23 side have reached the final of the International Cup against Porto, yet Moyes signed the likes of Steven Pienaar (age 35), Darron Gibson (29), and Victor Anichebe (29). Marco Silva, who looks like he is going to keep Hull City up, has signed players from all over Europe.”
General view – Stadium of Light Sunderland
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