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Sunderland A.F.C.: Three hopes and one fear

By Sean Maslin

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Jermain Defoe of Sunderland celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Jermain Defoe of Sunderland celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: David Moyes conducts his first press conference as Sunderland manager at The Academy of Light on August 1, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: David Moyes conducts his first press conference as Sunderland manager at The Academy of Light on August 1, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images) /

Sunderland’s Black Cats had another life in the Premier League.

Full credit to Sunderland: they are if nothing else survivors. After spending a large percentage of the 2015-2016 season in the relegation zone The Black Cats scratched and clawed their way out of trouble and into the safe zone.

Sunderland lost just once in their final ten games (that L coming against the eventual champions in Leicester City, mind you) and did what Norwich City and Newcastle United failed to do: get points in critical matches.

The question is now can this club build on that last series of matches and ensure that they are not in a relegation fight this season? Much of this depends upon manager David Moyes. Moyes certainly has the pedigree and the clout to get the most out of his team and get results when needed.

The hope is that with his background and with a few things going their way that Sunderland can have a solid 2016-2017 campaign. The fear though is that this David Moyes is a very different David Moyes from the one that guided Everton to prominence and that he is now just another manager.

So with that in mind let’s take a look at the three hopes and fears of Sunderland A.F.C.!

Next: Hope #1: That Jermain Defoe can keep up his scoring pace.

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