Media mash-up continues as a batch of local reporters preview Sunderland’s latest fixture providing insight, analysis and opinion.
Next up, Nick Barnes, James Hunter and Richard Mennear preview the Lads’ home game against Everton as Premier League football returns.
Nick Barnes (@Tweed_Barnesy) – BBC Radio Newcastle
David Moyes now knows the size of his squad with the closing of the transfer window, albeit there is always the chance of a free agent being signed to bolster numbers. The arrival of Mika from Boavista has given Jordan Pickford competition and Victor Anichebe, while not a like for like replacement if Jermain Defoe was to get injured, is a strong reinforcement for the bench. Everton provide Sunderland with another stern test of their credentials. It shouldn’t be too great a surprise that there are now three former Everton players at Sunderland with David Moyes arrival. I would expect only Rodwell to feature on Monday night as Jan Kirchhoff proved his fitness at Rochdale and I would imagine will partner Rodwell in midfield. A very welcome return if indeed he does start. His cool calm control at Rochdale demonstrated his passing and his ability on the ball has been missed. Slowly David Moyes’ first-team is edging towards full strength. Manquillo was bright and attacking at Southampton but knows how to defend. Van Aanholt’s goal against Middlesbrough showed again what a threat he can pose when he gets forward, and Kone and Djilibodji can now concentrate on building a partnership in central defence. David Moyes will relish facing his former club but most importantly can approach the match knowing his team is going from strength to strength.
Richard Mennear (@RichMennearJP) – Sunderland Echo
With the drama of the summer transfer window finally behind us, it is now time to get back down to the real business of picking up points. Premier League football returns this weekend, with Sunderland hosting Everton on Monday night ahead of a crucial period for the Black Cats. Sunderland play three out of their next four league games on home soil, with the Toffees and then Crystal Palace and West Brom visiting Wearside before the next international break. It took Sunderland until the end of October last season to record their first league win - they cannot afford to make the same mistake again. David Moyes now knows what his squad will be until January, with the late arrivals of Victor Anichebe and goalkeeper Mika boosting his options. On paper and when all the players are fit, Sunderland have a reasonably strong squad - now is the time to turn potential into points.
James Hunter (@JHunterChron) – The Chronicle
The TV cameras will be at the Stadium of Light on Monday, and all the attention will be on David Moyes coming up against the club where he spent more than a decade in charge. But that must not be a distraction on a night when what happens on the pitch is far more important than any off-field subplot. Last time Everton visited Wearside, they were swept aside 3-0 as Sunderland secured Premier League survival. Under new boss Ronald Koeman, Everton will be a much tougher nut to crack – they are unbeaten and have picked up seven points from nine so far. A win for the Black Cats on Monday would not hold quite the same significance as that win back in May, but it would at least get Moyes' side up and running with their first league victory. Given Sunderland's continuing injury problems, however, a draw would be a decent result.
The views expressed within this article are the views of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Sunderland AFC.
