To enhance my 2016/17 Premier League projection I’m reviewing factors that may impact each team’s strength compared with last season, as explained here. Next up Sunderland.

Last Season

Sunderland were poor last season. I rated them at the 3rd worst team. Concerningly they conceded more shots on target than any other team last season (and that includes Aston Villa!).

Player Turnover

To illustrate the relative strengths of key players joining and leaving, the numbers below compare defensive, passing and attacking strength against the average premier league player in 2015/16 (0% means at the same level as the average premier league player, greater than 0% is better and less than 0% is worse). Defensive assessment is the sum of defensive actions (tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks). Passing is number of completed passes, and attacking strength is goals plus assists (all measured per match). This isn’t a robust statistical analysis, and can be skewed due to acquisition from a weaker league or lack of minutes played – but the purpose is to simply indicate the comparative strength of incoming and outgoing players.

Little activity so far, but Papy Djilobodji looks a good defensive signing (which is where they certainly need strengthening).

European Competition

No. No change.

Management 

Yes.  David Moyes replaces Sam Allardyce

Overall assessment

Little change.

06/08/2016