Each day from now until the beginning of the Premier League season, we will preview two teams from England’s top flight. You can view them all here at PST Preview central. Don’t forget, the 2013-14 PL season begins on August 17th, and for the first-time ever you can watch every game live on NBC Sports.
Last season Sunderland managed to stave off relegation from the Premier League, just. They finished 17th in 2012-13 and since returning to England’s top flight in 2007-08, the Black Cats have finished in the top 10 once. Sunderland’s fierce rivals are Newcastle United with the Tyne-Wear derby (played since 1898) one of Europe’s most famous and passionate derbies. Just 12 miles separate the two teams and it’s simple in England’s North East: you’re either a Mackem (Sunderland) or a Geordie (Newcastle). Sunderland’s have won six First Division titles—in 1892, 1893, 1895, 1902, 1913, and 1936—and the FA Cup twice, in 1937 and 1973. They play at the Stadium of Light, which has a capacity of 49,000.
Transfers In: Cabral (Basle), Modibo Diakite (Lazio), Valentin Roberge (Maritimo) , David Moberg Karlsson (IFK Goteborg), Vito Mannone (Arsenal), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), El Hadji Ba (Le Havre), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus)
Transfers Out: Titus Bramble, Matthew Kilgallon (Blackburn Rovers), Ryan Noble, Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull City), Danny Graham (Hull City), Alfred N’Diaye (Eskisehirspor)
Key Player: This is a player US soccer fans know all about: Jozy Altidore (pictured). After his $13 million move from AZ Alkmaar, big things are expected of Altidore in the Premier League. The chance to spearhead Sunderland’s attack will be tough but Altidore wants to prove his critics wrong as he gives England’s top flight another crack. After previous PL disappointment at Hull City, Altidore has settled into European soccer and will have plenty of support from the likes of Stephane Sessegnon and Steven Fletcher.
Sunderland’s Jozy Altidore (R) fights for the ball with English Premier League, Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta during their Barclays Asia trophy final football match at Hong Kong stadium on July 27, 2013. PHOTO / Laurent FIEVET (Photo credit should read LAURENT FIEVET/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
The 23-year-old USMNT striker is Sunderland’s biggest summer signing and if he can keep his hot streak going, the Mackems can make the top 10. But it’s a huge step up from the Eredivisie to the Premier League. Can he succeed? Sunderland need him to.
Manager: Paolo Di Canio. Just a mention of his name and images of a possessed Italian gentleman in a sharply-cut suit marauding down the touchline are conjured up. But he’s about much more than his wild sideline gestures. Di Canio was an incredibly gifted player who played for Lazio, AC Milan, Napoli, Celtic and West Ham amongst others. He wears his heart on his sleeve and after managerial success in the lower-leagues with Swindon Town, Di Canio’s man-management style is his biggest plus. The 45-year-old Italian has made huge changes, bringing in 10 new faces and completely changing the soccer philosophy. Di Canio must deliver.
Outlook: Bringing in so many new players is a massive risk, but Di Canio is up for the challenge. This season could go either way as Sunderland may get off to a flying stat or be languishing by Christmas and waving goodbye to Di Canio. So I’m going to sit firmly on the fence and go for a mid-table finish. There will be plenty of growing pains, but this new squad is exciting. Expect the unexpected from the Black Cats.
MORE: Read all the Premier League previews for each team here
