Sunderland’s nightmare start to the season continued on Saturday afternoon, as they were soundly beaten by Norwich City, as the newly promoted side ran out 3-1 winners.
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At £8.5m, Lens is the only one of Sunderland’s four summer buys – the fifth new face, Yann M’Vila, having joined on loan – who has cost a significant sum, with Younes Kaboul weighing in at £3m, Sebastian Coates at £2m and Adam Matthews also at £2m.
Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has been ruled out for at least eight weeks with a shoulder injury, the club have announced. I can not complain about [the effort] they gave everything.
“Yes, I was shocked by what happened (at Leicester)”.
“But after two weeks, we will know more”. If this team, this squad doesn’t work and there is no aggression in the team to get the ball and to do something more, then we will find it very hard.
Those who tipped the Black Cats for relegation this season must be feeling pretty smug right now.
Scottish worldwide duo Russell Martin and Steven Whittaker both struck in the first half for the Canaries, with Nathan Redmond putting them out of sight after the restart and substitute Duncan Watmore getting a goal back late on.
The Sunderland manager was furious after hearing the accusations, hitting back at the Sky Sports pundit.
When asked about his future, Fletcher told the Echo: “I haven’t really thought about it to be honest”. If you can go, go, but only if the opportunity is good.
M’Vila’s presence should also help strengthen the base of the Sunderland midfield, although the Frenchman has spent most of his career treading a fine line between combative aggression and the use of excessive force.
Dick Advocaat insists Sunderland “desperately” need new signings – but admits he will be relieved when the transfer window closes.
“We’ll be so happy on September 1 [deadline day], because things here change every day”.
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Advocaat shelved his retirement plans to accept the job of head coach after initially turning down chairman Short’s offer of an extended stay, and he could have been forgiven for regretting his decision by the time the break arrived. Sunderland managed two against Leicester and they will be hoping that a similar haul at home on Saturday should be good enough for all three points.
