Football Season Review

A topsy-turvy season for Sunderland ended with defeat in the play-off semi-finals. The campaign started with Phil Parkinson in charge but he was sacked in November with the club eighth in the table. Lee Johnson took over and there revived their fortunes. A run of 10 wins in 12 games put them on course for automatic promotion. However, a dramatic late season wobble of just one win in their last nine matches saw them destined for the play-offs. A defensive injury crisis has undermined Johnson’s time at the club. For most of his reign he has had only one fit central defender, with utility player Luke O’Nien having to fill in. Central midfielder Max Power has also been forced to regularly play at right-back. Veteran winger Aiden McGeady was brought back into the fold when Johnson took over and has excelled. He has been unplayable at times and has been the chief provider for top scorer Wyke. In one match Sunderland scored four with McGeady providing all the assists and Wyke scoring all four goals. Wyke has 30 goals to his name across all competitions including 25 in the league. Under a new owner and with Johnson at the helm, they should be in the race for automatic promotion next season. Their main task before the start of the next campaign could be to replace McGeady and Wyke, whose contracts are both set to expire this summer.

Player of the Season: Charlie Wyke