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Sunderland


Fabio Borini was a hit in his loan spell on Wearside.

Manager: Gustavo Poyet
Captain: John O’Shea
13/14 position: 14th
Top League Goalscorer: Adam Johnson

After being saved from the drop in 2012–13 by a completely barking mad Paolo Di Canio, Sunderland very nearly were taken down by the mental Italian. Some of the dross that the former West Ham favourite signed was just not up to scratch, and the Black Cats looked like ran out of life number nine.

Enter Gustavo Poyet. The Uruguayan had a rather turbulent end to his Brighton days, but on the whole had progressed the club, but took over at a club that seems to lurch from good to bad in a short space of time, especially with the likes of “dozy” Jozy Altidore up top. But after Fabio Borini’s dramatic first goal in the Tyne Wear derby against Newcastle gave The Lads, the impossible seemed possible.

Wickham became an unlikely hero, scoring goals aplenty.

They seemed to be safe, then in real danger; in fact the form after their Wembley defeat to Manchester City looked to be their final nail. But Poyet deployed the young striker Connor Wickham, in fixtures deemed by pundits as absolutely impossible, and somehow miracles happened, scoring 5 key goals.

Poyet after a 5–1 drubbing at Spurs said his squad would need divine intervention. But the quartet of a point at Manchester City away, becoming the first team to beat a Mourinho team on his own patch at Chelsea, beating Cardiff at home 4–0 and winning 1–0 away at Old Trafford, the ten points dragged Sunderland into safety. Now Poyet needs to build a squad so that it doesn’t have to scare the fans half to death every season, and £10m for Jack Rodwell could give a midfield needing a lift added impetus. Poyet remains key for any hopes of mid table mediocrity, at least. 15th

FANS OPINION: Charlotte Mather @charlsafc

What is your idea of a good season for your club? A mid-table finish would be great, I just hope we don’t leave it as late as last season!

Worst case scenario?
Poyet leaving and relegation, hopefully we can avoid both.

Best player?
Lee Cattermole. Criminally underrated footballer.

Player you’d happily drive to his next club?
Steven Fletcher

Fans hero?
Vito Mannone or Borini if he comes back!

If you could pick, who would you want your team to do the double over this year?
Only one plausible answer to this: Newcastle. We managed it last season, let’s hope we can do it again

League winners?
Chelsea

Relegated?
Burnley, West Brom and Villa

Surprise package?
I think Leicester will finish comfortably mid-table

Who will win the golden boot?
Robin van Persie