English Premier League Preview – Sunderland A.F.C.

We at 32 Flags are previewing every team in the English Premier League, two teams a day until the beginning of the season. Get ready as we preview your favorite team or maybe we can help you pick a team to root for if you are undecided so far. Today, we’re covering Sunderland.

Sunderland A.F.C.

Founded – 1879

Last Year Position – 14th place

Transfers In (As of 8/13) – Billy Jones, Jordi Gomez, Costel Pantilimon, Patrick van Aanholt, Jack Rodwell and Will Buckley

Transfers Out (As of 8/13) – Phil Bardsley, Jack Colback, Carlos Cuellar, and Andrea Dossena among others

Projected Finish (Voted among 32 Flags staff) – 10th place

Rivalries – Tyne-Wear Derby with Newcastle (12/20 and 4/4)

Famous Supporters – Peter O’Toole

 

Sunderland almost went down to the Championship the beginning of last season due to the work of Paolo Di Canio. The man who banned such things like ketchup, mayonnaise, singing, iced Coca-Cola and Christmas, really lowered the morale of the team to the point where everyone was miserable. After he was fired in September, Gus Poyet stepped in and had the job of getting them out of the relegation zone. They capped off an incredible run in the new year and went from dead last on Christmas to completely out of the relegation on April 27 and finishing 14th.

This summer, Sunderland entered a partnership deal with DC United. The partnership will be more about marketing and business alliances between the two clubs. I have to imagine Sunderland will eventually have DC United be a destination for reserve players.

There is no doubt Sunderland is going take this momentum into this season. Poyet is building a great squad on the cheap and the sky is the limit for Sunderland. Well, maybe mid table is the limit. Either way, Sunderland will be one of the fun teams to watch this season.

If you want to compete against us and other fans, feel free to sign up for our fantasy EPL league at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/my-leagues/259028/join/?autojoin-code=1087976-259028. We will give prizes for the best team name and the winner of the league. The more people who sign up mean the better the prizes so sign up and tell your friends.

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp

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