Peter Reid Sunderland: Last Season: 7th, 58pts W16 D10 L12 F57 A56 Stadium: Stadium of Light (115x75yds) Capacity: 41,590 Year Formed: 1879 Manager: Peter Reid Chairman: Mr. R. S. Murray

Don Hutchison

The most significant move in the transfer market over the summer for the Black Cats were in defence - Stanislav Varga is the Slovakian captain, a commanding, skilfull centre-back who looks a bargain, whilst Argentine U-21 left back Julio Arca has been delayed by passport problems. Tom Peeters and Jurgen Macho are also both speculative purchases that could turn out to be successful, but Don Hutchinson is the man that really looks a serious addition.

Stanislav Varga

What the side lacked last season was a third goalscorer behind Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn and Hutchinson could give the side goals from midfield. The key to success, though, is an injury free Phillips. If you lose a 30 goals a season player you are always going to struggle. However, if the side loses Quinn it will be just as devastating. He is the fulcrum of the team and Phillips finishes off what the Irishman starts. Most of the style of play is built around him and it would cause problems throughout the team if he was missing for a long time.

Phillips can also expect a far greater challenge as he bids to land the Premiership's Golden Boot for the second year running. He went goal-crazy last season as he left bigger-name rivals in the shade by firing home 30 league goals – the first man to do so since the Premiership was cut to 38 games. His nearest rival, Alan Shearer, was seven goals adrift while it was another three back to third-placed Dwight Yorke. Dismissed as a 33-1 shot last time, Phillips naturally finds himself amongst the favourites a year on with Thierry Henry and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink rated as the men most likely to take his title

Julio Arca

The word on the street in Sunderland suggests the fans be happy with another season in the top half of the table. They accept Sunderland won't be challenging for the title, but if they are comfortably in the top ten and have a good cup run, everybody would be happy. Of course, they have to finish above Newcastle in the process. The fact they finished above them last season gave the fans great satisfaction.

The signing of Hutchinson gives Reid more options as he could play him behind the front two, but four-four-two is his preference. They are comfortable with it and they rarely deviate. Overall, the signs are encouraging. A Champions League place is certainly more likely than relegation.

2000-2001 SQUAD NUMBERS

Julio Arca (D)
Elliot Dickman (D)
Thomas Helmer (D)
John Kennedy (G)
Brendan McGill

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