I caught up with author, friend and fellow football
scholar John Lightfoot, to chew the fat over Sunderland's forthcoming campaign
back in the second tier, the first time the club has been there since 2006.
Here's how we got on...
ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF
SIMON GRAYSON? IS HE THE RIGHT MAN TO STEADY THE SHIP?
When we were relegated last season, I think that quite
a few of us realized that David Moyes was not the popular choice to try
and lead us back. I always thought that the right appointment was key and
that what was needed was someone who not only knew the
division well but also had experience of it also. Even then, I
must admit that Simon Grayson crept under the radar and was
a surprise but when you analyze his record he does have a good CV at this
level. Certainly, both he and Preston North End punched well above their weight. That
old cliché also ran true for North End in that he also had probably
took them as far as they could go. And they did play pretty good football too
for the Division.
So on that basis, “Yes” I am happy with the
appointment and I also think he is the man not so much to steady the ship but
also to stop it sinking even further; and there was a grave danger
that could well have happened. Relegation was a bitter blow but a lot
of older fans have seen all this before. Hard to believe that since only
1958 this has been our TENTH relegation. Some younger fans might have been
weaned on Premier League only so might have had entirely different expectations.
Believe it or not, I am actually mildly optimistic since the appointment.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE SIGNINGS HE HAS
MADE SO FAR?
Again, bearing in mind his budget limitations
and his knowledge of the division, I am fairly optimistic. There will
no doubt be more to follow. We must trust his judgement and get behind
him. He certainly has some upbeat and positive messages for the fans
and this is like a breath of fresh air after last season’s opening
statement by Mr. Moyes. He will know these players and their temperament
through North End and they will know him, too. He has gone for British
stock and I think that will stand him in good stead through the slog ahead.
Much too early to tell of course as we haven’t kicked a ball in anger yet but I
do think they will fit in quickly with the current players around
them and that is another bonus. It’s vital we get off to a steady start and I
think we will. How many fans will settle for that after the complete mess we
were in last season?
ARE THERE ANY AREAS OF THE SIDE THAT NEED
STRENGTHENING AS A PRIORITY?
Definitely a goalkeeper now that we have lost
Mannone. Again, I think that Simon Grayson will be quick to remedy this and there
are various names being mentioned. I think we are not too far off in defence
and midfield and with new additions to the old guard (who will still be
pretty classy and solid in the lower division) we will be okay.
Upfront we definitely need another Kevin Phillips. Jermain Defoe
will be a huge miss and would have filled his boots for us rather than probably
a cameo role at Bournemouth. However, there are some hidden gems outside the
Premier and it’s just a case of finding them. Watmore and (I hope) Khazri will
be a handful in this division and Vaughan will weigh in with a few to help us
settle in. I am also expecting our midfield to help out with the odd goal
here and there. I’m sure Grayson will assess the situation towards Christmas
time if we make a useful start.
WHO WILL BE OUR KEY PLAYERS FOR OUR
ASSAULT ON A GRUELLING 46 GAME CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPAIGN?
Easy answer; all of them, I hope! However, being a
bit more realistic I think the defence is going to be the key this season to our
progress and us hopefully nicking a few 1-0 wins. So, Billy Jones and
O’Shea (who I think will be a massive bonus if he stays fit for most of the
season) together with Cattermole can make a difference. Also think Lynden
Gooch will blossom All these four will stand out in this
division PROVIDED they are ably supported by the rest. I am expecting something
of Watmore and Vaughan,too but the two who could take this division by the
scruff of the neck(if we hang on to them) are Khazri and Lens. Why,oh, why, we
didn’t use more of Khazri last season is beyond me. I know he has his critics
but I’m hoping he’ll hang around long enough to prove some of them wrong. I
think we’ll develop a good balance of youth and experience that could surprise
a few next season. A really good start might well prompt others to join as as
well as convincing some others already here to stay. Let’s just see, eh?
WE HAVE A PROMISING CROP OF YOUNG PLAYERS
AT THE CLUB. CAN ANY OF THEM KICK ON AND PLAY A BIG PART IN OUR SEASON?
Absolutely they can. If you look back in our
history, we have always rebuilt with young blood. Ask any of the older
supporters (1964,1973,1977.) Even Big Sam blooded one or two in the final
game at Watford in 2015/16. My only disappointment, again, is that David Moyes
didn’t bite the bullet last season and threw a couple in when all was lost.
What did we possibly have to lose?
The Championship will still be a baptism of fire with
everyone capable of beating everyone else but where better to start in an
environment where many other teams are going to have to do the same due
to financial restrictions. I’d rather chance my arm on a raw 18 year old
than a £10m foreign flop. I expect Gooch, Honeyman plus Tommy and
Ethan Robson to step up to the plate and develop, and maybe also
Elliott Embleton in a role that could lead to much greater things. All of them
will learn and develop quicker in a division where the pace and tempo is
quicker too!
CAN YOU SEE A FUTURE AT THE CLUB FOR THE
LIKES OF LAMINE KONE, WAHBI KHAZRI AND JEREMAINE LENS?
Brilliant if we could but realistically I think
we’ll cash in on Kone, and hope we can hang on to the other two. Lens, along
with both Khazri and N’Dong could be game changers for us this season
against some of the opponents we face. I genuinely believe that. However,
you have to accept that the best players in the Championship are going to get
picked off by the big boys. We are now no different. If Grayson sees the
chance to improve the squad by moving on 1,2, or all of them then he’s answered
your question!
ANY PREDICTIONS ON HOW THE SEASON WILL
SHAPE UP?
Seriously, I know it’s a lot to ask but our crowd
can make a massive difference and we all need to get behind them from the off
and put aside the massive failure of last season. 32/33,000 will still be
daunting for most opposition sides and if we do well and nudge 40,000+ then
that’s as good as a goal start. That’s why I’m quietly relieved that we
have a new regime in charge. If we’d made a wobbly start under Moyes, that
crowd would have turned on him big time. I think we’ll start
cagily and, just like in The Grand National, it’ll be steady away at the start.
I’ve noticed in The Championship that teams tend to drift in and out of it all
season, and then put in a late run at the finish, or drop like a brick! We have
to develop a consistent side that will stay in the running throughout.
I think we will have the experience, temperament and attitude to
do this. My earlier predictions pre-Grayson were very pessimistic but now I’m fairly
upbeat. I think we’ll dwell comfortably in the top half but things can turn
really quickly in this league on only 4 or 5 straight wins. If Grayson can get
to grips quickly with our defensive problems then we could be on a roll.
WHO ARE YOUR TIPS TO CHALLENGE FOR THE TOP SPOTS?
Have you seen the sides in this division? It’s absolutely jaw-dropping
and is going to be much more exciting than the predictable Premier League.
For a start, there are a lot more famous clubs here than there
are in the Premier League. Aston Villa v Sunderland on the same day, perhaps
as Swansea v Bournemouth? Enough said.
People go on about Middlesbrough and Aston Villa
but there’s always one dark horse in there. Who’s to say it mightn’t be us?
Fulham must be gutted because I thought they were the best team in the
Championship last season. But I think you can perm any two of the following up
to the final furlong: Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Fulham,
Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City, Wolves, Sunderland, Birmingham and
Norwich. At the wrong end I think Burton Albion, Millwall, QPR, Ipswich, Bolton
and maybe Cardiff are all going to find it a long, long 9 months.
WHERE DO YOU EXPECT SUNDERLAND TO FINISH
THIS SEASON?
My head says 9th but my heart says 6th and
play off winners, but I’d love to be proved hopelessly wrong and see us finish
runners up to Villa. In all honesty, I just don’t know. It depends on many
factors listed above.
So there we have it folks, it's going to be a mixed
bag; I think most of us envisaged that. John thinks the more experienced heads
in the squad can serve us well, and with Lens and Khazri (if we can hold onto
them) we certainly possess a lot of creativity out wide. The need for more
striking options is apparent, and another Centre-Back would be welcomed. We
will all be watching with interest, the early performances of James Vaughan and
young Josh Maja. Will we bring in more firepower? There is talk of Lewis
Grabban and Ross McCormack. The coming weeks have a lot in store for us all. I
can't wait for the big kick off on 4th August...
John Lightfoot has written two successful books,
superbly telling the story of his experiences with Sunderland AFC and our
beautiful game, from the 1960s right through to the present day. He has written
for A Love Supreme and various other media outlets and his books 'Reflections
of a Football Dinosaur' and 'Days of Future Past' are both available
to purchase through http://www.alsshop.co.uk priced at £10 each. Please
contact John at johnlightfoot2003@yahoo.co.uk for direct purchases, or for any
other queries you may have.
