Sunderland

The Boxing Day victory over EPL champion Manchester City aside, Sunderland have enjoyed most success this season against teams involved in the relegation fight. That should not change over the final 13 games of the season.

Of Sunderland’s 29 points gained in the 25 EPL games played, 22 have been gained against teams in the bottom half of the table.

With seven of Sunderland’s remaining 13 games against teams alongside them in the lower half of the EPL standings, they should have more than enough opportunities to get over the all-important 40-point barrier—which so often signifies safety from relegation.

Mid-table at present, Sunderland have a role to play in both the European qualification battle at the top end of the EPL table, and the relegation fight too. Saving themselves from being involved in the latter has to be the priority—they sit in 12th place, eight points and six places above Wigan in the drop zone—before thinking about looking upwards to place in the top half of the table.

There is, of course, the opportunity for some shock results orchestrated by manager Martin O’Neill, perhaps even starting on Saturday when Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light.

But it is the forthcoming home games against Fulham, Norwich City, Stoke City and Southampton that will determine whether Sunderland can break into the Top 10. The quartet of fixtures are one Sunderland should be winning if they are to become a serious force—and therefore they have to be branded the biggest.  

Twelve points from those four home games would take Sunderland past the 40-point mark and would also ensure two doubles are completed having already won on the road at both Fulham and Southampton in the reverse fixtures.

There are other home games where points can be collected when Manchester United and Everton head to the northeast—and this weekend’s visit of Arsenal—but they would be bonus points.

By far the biggest game of the remaining 13 in stature is the northeast derby at Newcastle United on April 13 when the bragging rights to be top dog in the region could be secured. Of all the games still to play, that is the one that supporters would put the greatest significance in.

On the road, there are other eminently-winnable games at West Brom, Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa as well as games that could affect the Champions League qualification situation. Sunderland still has to visit Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea and head to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham on the final day of the season.

Say what you like about Danny Graham, but there’s no denying that he’s got some guts.

When Graham came on as a substitute for Swansea against Sunderland in midweek, it was to the accompanying background noise of loud booing from the Sunderland fans.

They were making their feelings known about the prospect of Graham joining the club. If that doesn’t seem very friendly, then you must understand that Sunderland’s supporters do have a motive.

A born and bred Newcastle United supporter, Graham rather unwisely made some anti-Sunderland comments back in the days when he was playing for Watford.

This did not go down well at Sunderland, who have had issues in the past with Newcastle-supporting players, such as Lee Clark.

Nevertheless, Graham has today signed for Sunderland for a fee of £5m. The striker is clearly backing himself to win over the fans. 

So just what are Sunderland getting for their money, other than a Newcastle fan? It will sound like a criticism, but in essence what Sunderland are getting is a slightly-above-average Premier League striker.

That’s not a criticism. Teams need slightly-above-average strikers who understand their standing in the game and aren’t going to kick up a fuss if they’re left on the bench.

With Steven Fletcher having been in good form since his move from Wolves, Graham will no doubt be spending some time on the bench at Sunderland, just as he did at Swansea.

So why sign him? Because Sunderland lack experienced cover for Fletcher, making him a guaranteed starter in the team. Graham will provide both backup and competition for the Scot. Fletcher now knows that if he doesn’t deliver, then Graham will be waiting on the bench to take his place and potentially start ahead of him in the next game.

It also gives Martin O’Neill the opportunity to play a 4-4-2, with two out-and-out strikers. Time will tell how they will work together as a partnership, but both are intelligent players who should be able to complement each other.

Graham isn’t the most skillful player in the world, but Brendan Rodgers trusted him to spearhead his Swansea attack last season. Sometimes he stood out a little from his more nimble and talented colleagues, but he provided a more direct alternative to Swansea’s normal passing game and is a good finisher.

Michael Laudrup clearly doesn’t rate him that highly. Preferring to play Michu as as striker and even the Israeli Itay Shechter, despite the fact that the latter has so far failed to score for the club in 13 appearances.

Therefore, Graham shouldn’t be judged on this season’s achievements. Last season, when he played in 36 Premier League games, Graham scored 12 goals. 

A one-in-three scoring record isn’t brilliant, but it’s above average. That’s what Sunderland are getting and under Rodgers, Graham also proved that he is an above average when it comes to linking play with the attacking midfielders behind him.

Will it be enough to win over a set of fans that have already taken a dislike to him? In truth, it might not be. "Above average" players don’t tend to shake off such prejudices, which leaves Graham with the challenge of proving that he can perform at a higher level.

Firmly involved in a relegation battle before Christmas, five wins in the last eight EPL games have resulted in Sunderland looking up the table rather than anxiously over their shoulders. So, with the January transfer window about to close shut, what does the rest of the season hold?

The turnaround in form, coupled with the signings of midfielder Alfred N’Diaye from Busaspor and defender Kader Mangane on loan from Al-Hilal this month, has given renewed optimism at the Stadium of Light.

Pressure has eased on manager Martin O’Neill, and he is back to enjoying the messiah-like status that he had when taking over from Steve Bruce more than a year ago.

O’Neill’s activity in the transfer market is unlikely to have stopped yet with Swansea City forward Danny Graham among those strongly linked with a move to the Stadium of Light (via the Newcastle Chronicle) along with Argentine forward Mauro Zarate on a loan deal from Lazio and Barnsley’s teenage full-back John Stones.

The Sunderland squad is now beginning to have more of O’Neill’s influence about it with summer signings Steven Fletcher and Danny Rose, who is on loan from Tottenham, the undoubted stars of the season to date.

In addition, England winger Adam Johnson, another to arrive before the start of the current campaign, is beginning to become the key player the red and white faithful expected when he joined from Premier League champions Manchester City.

N’Diaye has impressed in equal measure too in his two appearances following his move from Bursaspor in Turkey. The first came as a late substitute, when he should really have scored with his first touch in English football, and the second when catching the eye in victory over Wigan Athletic.

The decks have been cleared in some respect too. Republic of Ireland midfielder David Meyler has turned a loan spell at the Bruce-managed Hull City into a permanent move, and England star Fraizer Campbell has joined another Championship club, Cardiff City. Ji Dong-Won, meanwhile, has been sent to Bundesliga strugglers Augsburg on loan.

The sum of all that is the weakening of the Steve Bruce connection and the creation of a team more in fitting with O’Neill’s wanting.

It is no surprise that the form has picked up as a result of O’Neill’s strengthening of the squad rather than rely on the same 11 players as he had to last season. It isn’t a case anymore that Sunderland do not score if Fletcher fails to find the net.

Even though the recent results have moved Sunderland nine points clear of the relegation zone, there is still the need to keep the drop firmly in the mind until the all-important 40-point total is surpassed. But it should be a case of onwards and upwards.

With Johnson beginning to play a more influential role and less of a reliance of the goals of Fletcher, who at one stage earlier in the season was Sunderland’s only goalscorer in the EPL, a finish in the top half of the table is not beyond the club.

Sunderland have finish in the top-10 of the EPL table once in the last five seasons, that coming in 2010/11 when they finished 10th overall. With more improvement still to come, bank on O’Neill’s team at least equalling that this time around.

Sunderland are attempting to sign Argentine striker Mauro Zarate on loan from the remainder of the EPL season (via the Sunday People).

Manager Martin O’Neill is looking to continue his January transfer window activity, having already brought in defender Kader Mangane on loan from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal and midfielder Alfred N’Diaye, who signed permanently from Bursaspor in Turkey.

Zarate, who plays in Serie A for Lazio, is the latest name to be linked with a move to the Stadium of Light, with the report suggesting the loan deal could be turned into a £5 million permanent deal at the end of the current EPL season.

The 25-year-old Argentine forward previously had a spell in the EPL when on loan at Birmingham in 2008. He scored four goals in 14 games while at Birmingham and has also played for Velez Sarsfield in Argentina, Al-Saad in Saudi Arabia and Inter Milan and Lazio in Italy.

Swansea City forward Danny Graham remains a transfer target and is close to agreeing to move back to his native northeast in a £4.5 million deal (via the Sunday Mirror). Norwich City have also tabled a bid for the 27-year-old striker.

The arrival of the two strikers could pave the way for England international Fraizer Campbell to leave the club, with the former Manchester United forward a target of high-flying Championship side Cardiff City (via BBC Sport).

Sunderland are also involved in a battle with Premier League rivals Fulham in the race to sign £2 million-rated defender John Stones from Championship Barnsley (via the Sunday People). The 18-year-old is also said to be wanted by Wigan Athletic.

Follow on Twitter @garywriter

Sunderland have made their second signing of the January transfer window by bringing Kader Mangane in on loan from Al-Hilal (via The Daily Mail).

But with the player well and truly out of the spotlight plying his trade in Saudi Arabia, let's give you the run down on him as a signing.

Martin O'Neill, who is doing his business uncharacteristically early this year, was delighted to secure his signature, telling Sunderland's official website how important a defensive recruitment was.

Kader is player who will add to the overall strength of our squad and give us options. He will improve competition for places and we are delighted to welcome him to the club.

The Ulsterman is understandably happy; this is a genuine coup for the football club.

Mangane is an absolute monster, standing at 6'5" and weighing in approximately 90 kg of muscle. He towers over everyone, including fellow central defenders, and gives his side a physical edge.

He was practically kicked out of France for an absolutely horrendous challenge on Jonathan Lacourt. The video is on YouTube, but we'd recommend not watching it if your squeamish—he breaks Lacourt's tibia and fibula with a high, wild and vicious challenge.

That was in 2009, and he's a different player now. He deserves a clean slate.

Having been hounded from France, the Senegalese defender moved anywhere that would take him, and Al-Hilal facilitated his move from Rennes.

That's where the experiment with him playing in midfield—the experiment that saw him dive in on Lacourt—ended, and he's largely stuck to playing centre-back since.

In terms of what you can expect from his play, don't be hoping for a cultured ball-playing centre-half. He's a textbook defender with limited skills on the deck, but he does like to run forward and live the dream of the striker on occasion.

With his size and strength he's naturally a colossus in the air, and under Martin O'Neill the no-nonsense type of defender prospers.

With Sunderland in a mini-crisis defensively speaking, reinforcements were much-needed, and pound-for-pound Mangane is a superb signing. He'll give the Black Cats grit and determination at the back and some important depth and vigour heading into the business end of the season.

Follow @stighefootball

Sunderland’s signing of defender Kader Mangane (per the Daily Mail) on loan for remainder of the season was the second piece of business by manager Martin O’Neill in the January transfer window.

Having been signed from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal and thus unknown to most fans, the question on most lips will be, what does he bring to the table?

With O’Neill facing a mini defensive crisis with the absences of Carlos Cueller, West Brown and Danny Rose to injury, the Sunderland manager has moved quickly to bring in cover.

The injury-prone John O’Shea is one of only three central defenders available to O’Neill, the other two being the soon-to-be-without-contract pair of Titus Bramble and Matt Kilgallon. Mangane, therefore, would offer some continuity into next season, should his loan be turned into a permanent move.

Sunderland are a relatively small team and, significantly, Senegal international Mangane’s biggest attribute is his height. At 1.97 metres tall, he will stand head and shoulders above his new teammates.

His turn of pace will also be added bonus to a defence which has had trouble against quicker players this season, yet has coped admirably with crosses and longer balls thrown at it.

Mangane also brings a wealth of experience, with him having played in the top divisions in his home country, Switzerland and France prior to the move to Al-Hilal in July 2012.

Much like midfielder Alfred N’Diaye, Sunderland’s other signing in January, who made his debut as a substitute in the win over West Ham, Mangane provides exactly the kind of physicality the Black Cats have been missing in recent seasons.

Pace and power have been things O’Neill’s side have been lacking since he took over from former manager Steve Bruce, particularly in the midfield areas, and the new additions provide that in spades.  

Sunderland’s January transfer window dealings began on the opening day of the month as striker Ji Dong-Won was allowed to join Bundesliga strugglers FC Augsburg on loan until the end of the season, according to the team's website.

The 21-year-old South Korean international striker has not featured in an EPL game for Sunderland this season, but is a cult figure in the Northeast thanks to his injury-time winning goal in the 1-0 success over eventual champions Manchester City last season. Ironically, his loan move to Augsburg was confirmed on New Year’s Day, exactly 12 months to the day since he netted that winner over City.

Ji will spend the remainder of the campaign attempting to haul Augsburg out of the deep trouble they have found themselves in having picked up just nine points from the opening 17 Bundesliga games. Augsburg have won just one game, finding the net only 12 times all season, and will be hoping he can spark a turnaround in fortunes.

Ji, signed by former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce in a £2 million deal from Chunnam Dragons at the start of the 2011/12 EPL season, has played only 21 times for Sunderland. In addition to his goal against City, he also scored a consolation in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. He also earned a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics after helping his country finish in third place.

Ji’s temporary departure is the start of Martin O’Neill’s transfer window activity, with midfielder David Meyler also expected to leave by turning his loan spell with Championship side Hull City into a permanent move.

Among the players linked with joining Sunderland this month is Tim Cahill, who is being proposed for a loan move to the Stadium of Light from New York Red Bulls during the MLS offseason period.

Follow Gary on Twitter.

Pure domination was the name of the game for Manchester United on Saturday, as they came away with a convincing 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Saturday to get a critical three points in the table.

While the Black Cats came in feeling the momentum after last week's win over Reading, it was clear from the opening pitch that there would be no upset.

The Red Devils took control early, dominating possession and continually carving their way through the Sunderland defense. It didn't take long for that momentum to pay off, either, as striker Robin van Persie drilled home a goal in the 16th minute to put United ahead 1-0.

Sunderland found out quickly that the Red Devils wouldn't be happy with just one goal. Tom Cleverley got just his second goal of the season three minutes later, which was his first at Old Trafford.

With United ahead 2-0 at half, the three points felt on lock—even when a far more motivated Sunderland squad came out for the second 45 minutes. After getting only 31 percent of the possession in the first half, the Black Cats came out and continually tried to get things going on the attack.

Unfortunately, it did not happen. Just about any time United got possession for an extended period, they wound up finding a scoring opportunity and Wayne Rooney knocked home the team's third goal with a little over 30 minutes remaining.

Fraizer Campbell knocked one home for Sunderland in the 71st minute to help out the goal differential, but it was a negligible score. United dominated in just about every facet of the game they needed to en route to keeping their stranglehold in the table, per the Premier League's official Twitter feed:

FULL-TIME Man Utd 3-1 Sunderland. Rooney, RVP & Cleverley goals see United restore their 6-pt lead at the top. #MUNSUN twitter.com/premierleague/…

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 15, 2012

A fan-run Manchester United Twitter feed also pointed out a fact that should scare all of United's Premier League opponents:

Manchester United have won all games in which Van Persie and Rooney have started together.

— Manchester United (@ManUtdMyLife) December 15, 2012

Meanwhile, Stretty News wondered if anyone was dancing following the match:

FT: United 3-1 Sunderland. Are they dancing today?

— Dale @Stretty News (@StrettyNews) December 15, 2012

Grades

Robin van Persie, Manchester United: A

The high-priced striker proved his worth on Saturday, finding the back of the net for his 12th goal of the season. Cleverley wound up adding another one just three minutes after, but Van Persie's goal wound up being the game-winner.

As always, finding the back of the net is an easy path to an "A" grade, but it was Van Persie's continual leadership on the attack that proved most fruitful on Saturday.

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United: A

Not to be outdone by his fellow star forward, Rooney decided to add in a goal of his own in the 59th minute. It was his only shot on goal on four attempts and the English captain did draw a foul, so Saturday wasn't exactly the best day of his career.

Nevertheless, Rooney now has five goals in his last three Premier League appearances, which is certainly a massive step up from his early-season struggles.

Simon Mignolet, Sunderland: D

Obviously, Sunderland were at a pretty massive talent disadvantage this week, so it's hard to give Mignolet a failing grade. It was expected that United would get on the board for at least one, possibly two goals.

Nevertheless, considering just five of the Red Devils' 15 shots went on goal, their three goals were a little excessive. Mignolet has to do a better job at playing his position, especially in matches where his squad needs him most. 

Tom Cleverley, Manchester United: A

Not exactly known for his goal scoring prowess, Cleverley's score was just his second of the season. That brings him within one goal of his Premier League high set back with Wigan Athletic in 2010-11.

As the goal went soaring past Simon Mignolet, the Premier League's official Twitter feed was on hand to capture a beautiful picture:

PHOTO Tom Cleverley fires past Simon Mignolet to put Man Utd 2-0 up against Sunderland #SUNMUN twitter.com/premierleague/…

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 15, 2012

Frazier Campbell, Sunderland: A

It wasn't all bad for the Black Cats on Saturday. Campbell, who played for United for a spell back in 2007-2008 and 2008-09, came in as a substitute and found the back of the net, preventing a clean sheet for David de Gea.

When Campbell scored, Fox Soccer's Twitter feed took it upon itself to call out the Red Devils defense:

Frazier Campbell pulls one back for Sunderand! No clean sheet for #BigSaveDave today. No help from his defenders either. 3-1. #BPLonFOX

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 15, 2012

Considering that was Campbell's first goal in 25 matches, that calling-out may have been deserved. Either way, for a team like Sunderland, keeping the goal differential down will prove to be huge.

Follow @tylerconway22