2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Fourth Round vs Brentford (a) - lost 2-1. Carling Cup Third Round vs Arsenal (h) - lost 3-0.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Anthony Le Tallec (striker) - 5 goals.
Players In Kenny Cunningham (Birmingham City - Free).
Players Out Julio Arca (Middlesbrough - ?1,750,000), Kelvin Davis (Southampton - ?1,000,000), Andy Gray (Burnley - ?750,000), Gary Breen (Wolves - Free), Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United - Free), Martin Woods (Released).
Sunderland have been the talk of the press all summer with Niall Quinn's consortium taking over the club giving the tabloids plenty to write about. In a fantastic twist, Quinn named himself as manager, after failing to lure a big name boss to lead the club back into the Premiership.
High profile managers such as Martin O'Neill, Sam Allardyce and David O'Leary were all linked with the post. Quinn was a popular player during his time at the club between 1996 and 2002, where he made over 200 league appearances and scored 61 goals.
Veteran defender Kenny Cunningham was Sunderland's first and, at the time of writing, only summer signing following his release from fellow relegated side Birmingham City. their first summer signing. The 35 year old former Millwall and Wimbledon centre back agreed a one year contract following four seasons at St Andrews. Cunningham will be seen as an ideal replacement for fellow veteran Gary Breen who joined Wolves on a free transfer.
Several players have been allowed to leave the Stadium of Light, including goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who joined Championship rivals Southampton in a ?1 million deal. Joe Murphy has also left for Scunthorpe United, leaving locally born youngster Ben Alnwick as the only recognised keep at the club.
While striker Andy Gray, who struggled to make an impact following his ?1.1 million move last summer, has been allowed to join Burnley, Sunderland have rejected an offer from Reading for midfielder Dean Whitehead. The 24 year old impressed in a poor Premiership display from the team last season and top flight new boys Reading tempted the board with a ?1.2 million offer for a player who joined them for just ?150,000 two years ago.
Verdict This will be a very interesting season for Sunderland as former player Niall Quinn returns as owner and manager. Player for player, they should be challenging for automatic promotion following the side winning the Championship two seasons ago but a lack of transfer activity thus far could mean the club will have to be content with a place in the play offs.
2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Second Round vs MK Dons (h) - lost 2-1. Carling Cup First Round vs Southampton (h) - lost 3-0.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Fredy Eastwood (striker) - 25 goals.
Players In Michael Ricketts (Leeds United - Free), Simon Francis (Sheffield United - Free), Steven Hammell (Motherwell - Free), Steve Collis (Yeovil Town - Free), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Rotherham United - Free).
Players Out Mark Bentley (Gillingham - Free), Duncan Jupp (Gillingham - Free), Wayne Gray (Yeovil Town - Free), Carl Pettefer (Oxford United - Free), Andy Edwards (Aldershot - Free), Shaun Goater (Released), Bart Griemink (Released).
Southend United enjoyed back to back promotions which has seen them return to the second tier for this first time since the 1996/97 campaign. They finished rock bottom of the league that year and manager Steve Tilson, who has orchestrated the Shrimpers' rise through the divisions, will be keen to avoid a repeat.
Southend's key to survival this season is the goals Fredy Eastwood can provide. Since his move from Grays Athletic in 2004 for a nominal fee he has scored an incredible 39 goals in 68 league appearances. He netted 25 goals in all competitions last season and is expected to perform at Championship level too.
Tilson has brought in former England international striker Michael Ricketts to partner Eastwood following the retirement of Shaun Goater. The once capped Ricketts spent time on loan at Cardiff City and Burnley last season and joined the club on a free transfer from Leeds United.
Stevie Hammell completed his move to the club on a free transfer from Motherwell after turning down an offer from fellow Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen, while Tilson has also signed Simon Francis from Sheffield United after meeting him when he played for the Football League under 21 side.
Southend United settled their dispute over Jamal Campbell-Ryce with Rotherham United and he moved to Roots Hall on a free transfer. The former Charlton Athletic winger left Rotherham in September for a loan spell at Southend but the Millers claimed there was an agreement to make the deal permanent for a ?100,000 fee. No deal was concluded and Campbell-Ryce headed for Colchester United on loan in March.
Verdict The Shrimpers have a gem in Fredy Eastwood and there is no reason why he cannot make the step up to the Championship and score the goals necessary to preserve the club's status. A lower mid table finish.
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