Premier League Preview: Sunderland

Last Season: 14th

Pre-Season Prediction: 13th - After a late surge last season to survive the drop, expect stability to reign at Sunderland this year as they finish fairly comfortably above the drop.

Last season saw the Black Cats pull off the impossible. With six games to go, Gus Poyet's side were seven point adrift of safety and more or less down and out for the count after just two points from nine matches. Suddenly a run of four consecutive victories including defeats of Chelsea and Manchester United saw Sunderland safe for another year with a game left to play. This tumultuous period of up-and-down was symbolic of a season lacking any sort of stability. Di Canio was sent his marching orders early on and, despite his best efforts, it really did not look like Poyet was going down. They survive though, and attention must be turned to the coming season.

The squad has been heavily reshaped over the summer, with the loss of a number of key players including Phil Bardsley, Jack Colback and Craig Gardner. That said, Poyet has invested, bringing in Patrick Van Aanholt and Billy Jones to bolster an ageing back-line, whilst Costel Pantilimon will provide Vito Mannone with some quality competition. It is in midfield though where the best signings arrive in the form of Will Buckley, Jack Rodwell and Jordi Gomez. Gomez and Buckley both had outstanding seasons for Wigan and Brighton respectively whilst Jack Rodwell will be keen to get his career back on track after a two year period warming the bench at Manchester City.

That said, there are still issues with the squad that need to be addressed. Whilst Brown and O'Shea at centre-back are an experienced pair, neither are getting any younger and Poyet needs to address this with a quality young centre-back as a long-term investment. One of his biggest tasks will be to ward off the vultures that are slowly circling to take Connor Wickham away from the Stadium of Light. Wickham went on a superb goal-scoring run during their survival run and, if he can carry that form into this season, may be a 15-goal man, something Sunderland desperately need.

His pre-season form would certainly suggest that he might after netting three times, including against Real Betis and Udinese. Sunderland's form in friendlies has certainly reinforced the feeling that Poyet is very much getting to grips with his side as they won six of their eight fixtures. As well as goals from Wickham, Steven Fletcher also bagged himself three goals which will provide a major boost after the talented striker missed large portions of last season through injury. After conceding 60 goals in the league last year, Poyet will be delighted that his side conceded just two goals in these eight matches.

So what should we expect from Sunderland this year? All the arrows seem to be pointing towards a more stable season for the Black Cats as Poyet, as least for now, seems to be in it for the long haul. He is shaping the squad to suit his passing style as epitomised by the signings of Jordi Gomez and his taking over of the Academy as well will ensure that the youth ranks are brought up with this mentality as well. With a more assured defensive line and, currently, the fitness of both Fletcher and Wickham, Sunderland are looking well on top of ensuring they remain well clear of the drop zone.

Key Man: Vito Mannone - Despite the reinforced back-line, last years Player of the Year will still be a busy boy in the Sunderland goal. Mannone had a marvelous debut season at the Stadium of Light after keeping eleven clean sheets in the League and putting in a number of assured performances. The Italian will have received a confidence boost  last year after a rocky career at Arsenal and will carry that into this season as he seeks to become one of the League's more established goalkeepers.

One to Watch: Connor Wickham - Wickham ensured he became something of a short-term cult hero after his late goal flurry more-or-less single handedly kept Sunderland in the top flight last year. After spending much of the season on loan at both Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds, Poyet will be desperate to keep hold of the much-courted English striker this year as he searched for a powerful potent striker to lead the line. If, and it's a big if, Wickham stays then he could become instrumental for Poyet's team.

Best Summer Signing: Jack Rodwell - Rodwell has become another promising Brit to fall into the 'wasted talent' category after disappearing into the shadows of the Etihad Stadium following a hugely disappointing couple of seasons languishing on the bench. Rodwell's move to Sunderland gives him a chance to rekindle career and hopefully the 23-year-old will find the motivation to really press-on and remind people why he was once touted as the next-best-thing to happen to English football. Over to you Mr Rodwell. Prove Manchester City wrong.