Premier League Season Preview: Sunderland

Jul 29, 2010

With the Premier League season now rapidly approaching, I have decided to take a look at each of the 20 sides that will be playing at the top level of English football during this upcoming season.

To start off my countdown, I have decided to actually go in reverse order, with Wolverhampton starting off the list and Arsenal concluding it right before the start of the Premier League season.

In the sixth part of this series, I will look at Sunderland , who finished 13th last year under Steve Bruce and had Darren Bent, who finished third in the Premier League in goals with 24.

Review of Last Year

After barely avoiding relegation the year before, Sunderland was able to put together a great performance in the Premier League after the arrival of Steve Bruce to become the team's new manager during the summer from Wigan.

After Bruce came Darren Bent from Tottenham, who was nothing short of spectacular throughout the season.

Now, Sunderland will be looking to continue to move forward this season as the Black Cats look to break the top half of the league table.

Transfers

Incoming Players

Marcos Angeleri (Estudiantes La Plata), Simon Mignolet (Sint-Truidense), Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul), Ahmed Al Muhammadi (ENPPI), and Titus Bramble (Wigan Athletic).

Departing Players

Roy O'Donovan (Coventry City), Lorik Cana (Galatasaray), Daryl Murphy (Celtic), Conor Hourihane (Ipswich Town), and Nyron Nosworthy (Sheffield United).

Sunderland Premier League Fixture List

All times are GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

Saturday, August 14 2010
Sunderland - Birmingham City (15.00)

Saturday, August 21 2010
West Bromwich - Sunderland (15.00)

Sunday, August 29 2010
Sunderland - Manchester City (15.00)

Saturday, September 11 2010
Wigan Athletic - Sunderland (15.00)

Saturday, September 18 2010
Sunderland - Arsenal (17.30)

Saturday, September 25 2010
Liverpool - Sunderland (15.00)

Saturday, October 2 2010
Sunderland - Manchester United (15.00)

Monday, October 18 2010
Blackburn - Sunderland (20.00)

Saturday, October 23 2010
Sunderland - Aston Villa (15.00)

Sunday, October 31 2010
Newcastle - Sunderland (16.00)

Saturday, November 6 2010
Sunderland - Stoke City (15.00)

Tuesday, November 9 2010
Tottenham - Sunderland (19.45)

Sunday, November 14 2010
Chelsea - Sunderland (16.10)

Monday, November 22 2010
Sunderland - Everton (20.00)

Saturday, November 27 2010
Wolverhampton - Sunderland (15.00)

Saturday, December 4 2010
Sunderland - West Ham United (15.00)

Saturday, December 11 2010
Fulham - Sunderland (15.00)

Saturday, December 18 2010
Sunderland - Bolton (15.00)

Sunday, December 26 2010
Manchester United - Sunderland (15.00)

Tuesday, December 28 2010
Sunderland - Blackpool (15.00)

Saturday, January 1 2011
Sunderland - Blackburn (15.00)

Wednesday, January 5 2011
Aston Villa - Sunderland (19.45)

Sunday, January 16 2011
Sunderland - Newcastle (12.00)

Saturday, January 22 2011
Blackpool - Sunderland (15.00)

Tuesday, February 1 2011
Sunderland - Chelsea (19.45)

Saturday, February 5 2011
Stoke City - Sunderland (15.00)

Saturday, February 12 2011
Sunderland - Tottenham (15.00)

Saturday, February 26 2011
Everton - Sunderland (15.00)

Saturday, March 5 2011
Arsenal - Sunderland (15.00)

Saturday, March 19 2011
Sunderland - Liverpool (15.00)

Saturday, April 2 2011
Manchester City - Sunderland (15.00)

Saturday, April 9 2011
Sunderland - West Bromwich (15.00)

Saturday, April 16 2011
Birmingham City - Sunderland (15.00)

Saturday, April 23 2011
Sunderland - Wigan Athletic (15.00)

Saturday, April 30 2011
Sunderland - Fulham (15.00)

Saturday, May 7 2011
Bolton - Sunderland (15.00)

Saturday, May 14 2011
Sunderland - Wolverhampton (15.00)

Sunday, May 22 2011
West Ham United - Sunderland (15.00)

Major Questions Going into This Season

1. How well will Darren Bent play?

After not playing in the World Cup, Darren Bent will be one of the few good English players who will be playing to start off the season.

Bent can really capitalize from this situation as he is poised for another monster season.

2. Will Sunderland once again fade down the stretch?

At the end of last season, Sunderland won two of its final eight matches, including losses to West Ham, Hull City, and Wolverhampton.

If Sunderland won those three matches, its would have finished ninth and really would be praised for a great season.

At the end of this season, Sunderland will have beatable opponents such as West Brom, Wigan, Bolton, Wolves, and West Ham to close out the season. Wins in these matches could get the Black Cats a spot in the top half of the table.

3. Will Sunderland finish in the top half of the table?

Sunderland will only be able to finish in the top half of the table if the team is able to put together a great end to the season with those beatable opponents in the prior question.

4. Who will be Darren Bent's "sidekick?"

Last year, Darren Bent was Sunderland's best player and the key for the Black Cats' offense to be at their best.

However, Sunderland will need to have another player step up and also be a legitimate offensive force.

Right now, Frazier Campbell and Kenwyne Jones appear to be players that could help Bent in the top half of the field as they look to score more this season.

In case you want to see a preview of Tottenham's Premier League season, please click here.

In case you want to see a premier of West Bromwich's Premier League season, please click here.

In case you want to see a preview of West Ham's Premier League season, please click here.

In case you want to see a preview of Wigan's Premier League season, please click here.

In case you want to see a preview of Wolverhampton's Premier League season, please click here.