HITC looks at the reasons Sunderland fans should be feeling positive about this season
Simon Grayson, manager of Sunderland.
It has not been a great start to his Sunderland managerial career for Simon Grayson, whose team are currently 19th in the Championship after five matches.
Two draws and a victory from the opening three outings was solid enough, but successive defeats to Leeds United and Barnsley before the international break leaves the Black Cats just outside the relegation zone.
However, it shouldn’t all be doom and gloom at the Stadium of Light because here are three reasons the fans should feel positive.
Sunderland’s Duncan Watmore, right, poses for a photograph.
Return of injured players
Grayson is currently without two of his squad who could really thrive in the second tier of English football – Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore.
The duo offer different things at either end of the pitch, but could be crucial in the Wearsiders having a good season and according to the Northern Echo, are both nearing a return.
Paddy McNair of Sunderland is helped to his feet by the club physio after sustaining an injury during the Premier League match against Hull City.
Options from the bench
Not only will McNair and Watmore coming back give Grayson more options from the substitutes’ bench, but so will a pair of deadline day signings.
Jonny Williams and Callum McManaman both arrived from the Premier League on August 31 and that should hopefully make the team less predictable tactically.
Emerging talent
While immediate fireworks shouldn’t be expected and necessity almost certainly had something to do with it, the inclusion of 18-year-old attacking duo Joel Asoro and Josh Maja in the senior squad should be looked on with promise.
They may both be raw talents and will take time to bed in, but promoting players from the Under-23s can only be a good thing – if they are up to the task of course.
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