Sunderland Premier League season review 2009-10 - Telegraph

[Blyth]

Manager: Steve Bruce
Backed by owner Ellis Short’s millions, Bruce has won over the doubters on Wearside by guided his club to mid-table safety. After a winter of discontent he ensured there would be no end-of-season relegation skirmish for the first time since Peter Reid steered Sunderland into the upper echelons of the Premier League almost a decade ago.

Best player: Darren Bent
He might not have been a hit at Tottenham but Bent has revitalised his career under Bruce and a prolific season could end with the striker earning a place in the England World Cup squad.

Worst player: George McCartney
Sadly, the quietly spoken Northern Ireland international has been a pale shadow of the player who came through the ranks on Wearside since he returned from a spell at West Ham thanks to a series of injuries and a total loss of self-belief.

Moment of the season
It has to be Darren Bent’s bizarre in the extreme beach ball goal against Liverpool that not only showed that Sunderland were on the up because they could compete with the big-hitters but it also demonstrated that Rafael Benitez’s luck had run out because it should have been disallowed.

Big issue
Now Steve Bruce has consolidated Sunderland’s top-flight status he will have to wheel and deal as he attempts to usher 10 players – including Anton Ferdinand - out of the Stadium of Light exit door to make room for three or four big-money signings for a crack at the European places next term.
Verdict: 6 out of 10
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[Jeffers]

Originally Posted by Blyth

Manager: Steve Bruce
Backed by owner Ellis Short’s millions, Bruce has won over the doubters on Wearside by guided his club to mid-table safety. After a winter of discontent he ensured there would be no end-of-season relegation skirmish for the first time since Peter Reid steered Sunderland into the upper echelons of the Premier League almost a decade ago.

Best player: Darren Bent
He might not have been a hit at Tottenham but Bent has revitalised his career under Bruce and a prolific season could end with the striker earning a place in the England World Cup squad.

Worst player: George McCartney
Sadly, the quietly spoken Northern Ireland international has been a pale shadow of the player who came through the ranks on Wearside since he returned from a spell at West Ham thanks to a series of injuries and a total loss of self-belief.

Moment of the season
It has to be Darren Bent’s bizarre in the extreme beach ball goal against Liverpool that not only showed that Sunderland were on the up because they could compete with the big-hitters but it also demonstrated that Rafael Benitez’s luck had run out because it should have been disallowed.

Big issue
Now Steve Bruce has consolidated Sunderland’s top-flight status he will have to wheel and deal as he attempts to usher 10 players – including Anton Ferdinand - out of the Stadium of Light exit door to make room for three or four big-money signings for a crack at the European places next term.
Verdict: 6 out of 10
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Fair score.

[TopCat]

Pretty fair report, although I'd be worried if we release 10 players and only buy 4.

I'd like to see Ferdinand and Richardson retained, but get rid of:

Nosworthy, Healy, Murphy, O'Donovan, Benjani, McCartney and Fulop.

[Heeny]

Andy Reid will be on his way, that's for sure.

[Snorbens]

Honest summary of the season now raise the bar.

[Freddie the Greek]

Heeny, how do u know Reidy will be on his way?

[DurhamLad212]

Originally Posted by Heeny

Andy Reid will be on his way, that's for sure.

Its catching.

[Mackem00]

Originally Posted by Freddie the Greek

Heeny, how do u know Reidy will be on his way?

He doesn't.

[Heeny]

Originally Posted by Freddie the Greek

Heeny, how do u know Reidy will be on his way?

it's an educated guess.

[TopCat]

Originally Posted by Heeny

it's an educated guess.

Think it depends on his approach to pre-season. If he turns up out of shape then Bricey may bin him - if he shows the right approach and keeps the weight off then he'll get a chance