Are Robbin Ruiter and Jason Steele enough for Sunderland?
In less than 24 hours, Sunderland set off on the long road back to the Premier League.
The Black Cats play host to Derby County in the Championship curtain raiser at the Stadium of Light tonight and all eyes will be on the number one shirt.
Sunderland boss Simon Grayson has signed Robbin Ruiter to compete with Jason Steele for the spot of goalkeeper but, in truth, signing both could be seen as gambles by the new manager.
Ruiter signed for Grayson this week after impressing on a trial basis in pre-season, while Steele, signed from relegated Blackburn Rovers, shipped five goals on his debut against Celtic.
Ruiter looked half decent in a 3-2 win over Bradford City last month, but it was against Bradford City and it’s hardly conclusive evidence that the 30-year-old – released from Utrecht this summer – is ready to be the number-one option in a promotion-chasing team.
The Wearside outfit had Jordan Pickford and Vito Mannone back in May but both have moved on – the former joining Everton in a £30 million deal – and Grayson’s replacements look pale in comparison at the moment, it has to be said.
Neither can be written off, given that neither have played a competitive match for the club, but Sunderland’s success this season will hinge on what Grayson did – or didn’t do – in the summer transfer window and he might regret not signing a proven, competent Championship keeper.
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