Five things Sunderland need to sort this summer

After a well deserved draw at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, Sunderland have clawed themselves out of the bottom three for the first time in over two months as they look to escape the drop.

Four consecutive clean sheets for the Black Cats suggest that things are on the up, however, Sam Allardyce’s side have won just twice in their last 13 games.

Their final four matches see them first travel to a leaky Stoke City, followed by consecutive home games against Chelsea and club-in-crisis Everton before a final day trip to Watford.

‘Big Sam’ will want to create clear daylight and some leg-room between his side and relegation rivals Newcastle and Norwich this weekend as the former Bolton and West Ham man looks to keep his record of never being relegated from the Premier League in tact.

Regardless of whether Sunderland beat the drop, improvement next season is a undoubtedly required.

Here are FIVE things that must be sorted out at the Stadium of Light this summer…

Find a Strike Partner for Jermain Defoe

Sunderland have struggled for goals all season, averaging only 1.15 per match, and without Jermain Defoe’s impressive contribution of 13 Premier League strikes, the Black Cats would have only hit home 26 times.

Finding Defoe – who is the 11th highest scorer in Premier League history – a striker partner to add firepower is essential. Fabio Borini has scored four times all season, yet is still somehow the club’s second top scorer alongside youngster Duncan Watmore. Anyone fancy Peter Crouch to make the switch to the Stadium of Light?

Keep Sam Allardyce

Notwithstanding Sunderland’s fate come the end of the season, Allardyce is the right man for the club.

If the Black Cats do avoid the drop, ‘Big Sam’ has the credentials and know-how to solidify Sunderland as Premier League team for years to come, much like he has done with former clubs West Ham and Bolton Wanderers.

If they do go down, Allardyce is still the man they want to bring them straight back to the Premier League. Allardyce took over West Ham after the season they finished bottom of the table and were relegated, subsequently yo-yo-ing the club straight back to the top division via the play-offs.

Change Their Transfer Policy

Sunderland have acquired the signature of a total of 14 players since last summer (four on loan), spending almost £50m in the process.

In that list of 14 you’ll find: £8million wonderkid turned Premier League flop Jeremain Lens; £9million per goal Wahbi Khazri; £8million chronic chance fluffer Fabio Borini; and perhaps the worst of all, £7.5million Ricky Alvarez, who didn’t play for the club at all following his permanent deal, before moving on to Sampdoria in December.

Those in charge of transfers at the Stadium of Light will need to re-evaluate their policies if the club are to improve and get more value for money. Make more signings like Jermain Defoe and Lamine Kone and they’ll be somewhere near on the right track.

Keep Larsson Fit

The Swede was greeted to rapturous applause from the Sunderland faithful during the 3-0 victory over Norwich earlier this month, after he came on for struggling Jan M’Vila late into the second half.

The club’s reigning Player of the Year has been sidelined since November following an injury sustained at Stoke. Without him, Sunderland’s midfield distinctly lacks the energy the former Birmingham man brings to the side and severely miss the link between the midfield and forwards he adds.

In an injury plagued season at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland will want to keep their fan favourite fit as they look all together a better side with him in the starting XI.

Cement the back Four

Lamine Kone has been an excellent acquisition for Sam Allardyce, and has contributed significantly to the club’s vastly improved defensive record of late.

While Younes Kaboul has seemingly developed a partnership with the Ivorian in recent weeks, Sunderland need to add options at the back. John O’Shea and Wes Brown are undoubtedly past their prime, and once DeAndre Yedlin’s loan spell ends, the Black Cats will be severely short in defence with arguably only two other out-and-out defenders in the squad.

A centre back, as well as two full backs would be smart investments for Sunderland this summer, providing they can find the right men for the job.