Former Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has given his verdict on the season so far, and the summer ahead for the Black Cats.
Cattermole, now 36 years old, last pulled on a Sunderland shirt back in 2019.
He left with 262 total appearances to his name for the Black Cats, then hanging up his boots after one season in the Netherlands with VVV-Venlo.
And how Sunderland could’ve done with a player with his leadership and tenacity in the midfield this season.
The Black Cats are now languishing in 13th place of the Championship table and seemingly waiting for this season to come to an end.
Sunderland criticisms emerge after 1-0 defeat vs Millwall
The last outing really summed up the season and the current frustrations for Sunderland.
They were beaten 1-0 at home by Millwall who secured their Championship safety that day, doing so at a very deject Stadium of Light.
Cattermole says he was at that game, and he said on BBC Total Sport:
“I think because last year went so well, this season’s probably been seen as a little bit of a negative… I went to the Millwall game and the atmosphere was quite quiet. I think that’s probably down to two things; the league table and nothing really to play for, but also the performance of the players. It lacked intensity.”
Lee Cattermole sends message to Sunderland owners
The summer ahead is undoubtedly a huge one.
For months now, all eyes seem to have been on the summer ahead and who the next Sunderland manager might be.
There’s also a lot of pressure on sporting director Kristjaan Speakman to get the transfers right this summer, after some very questionable deals this season.
Cattermole went on:
“But in terms of the club and where they’re at, I think there’s lots of good stuff happening there. But I think it’s a real big summer now in terms of appointing a new head coach, recruiting the right players who can go and play at the intensity which is going to engage the crowd. It’s a massive three/four months.”
Crunch time on Wearside
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus‘ reign has so far, on the whole, been very positive.
He’s helped the club get back in the Championship and he’s also helped the club develop some really valuable assets, like Jack Clarke to name one.
Though he and Speakman in particular have come under the fire this season.
Their decisions on managers and their ‘obsession with progression’ seems to have actually hindered the club in their quest for Premier League football.
Like Cattermole says, it’s a huge summer ahead and if the hierarchy make more mistakes; i.e. hiring another Michael Beale and going about another transfer window without signing a striker or adding experience, then fans will really lose faith in the club’s running.
It does feel like something of a last chance for the club, though with a good manager and good signings, everything is back on track.
It’ll be easier said than done, of course.
Sunderland return to action away at Watford on Saturday afternoon.