The latest edition of the Sunderland weekly round-up takes a look at the latest news from Stadium of Light, including a look back at two games against Milton Keynes Dons, one of which saw the Black Cats reach the semi-final of the EFL Trophy. There is also the latest takeover talk as the ongoing saga goes into yet another month plus a look back at another eventful transfer deadline day.
Sunderland Round-Up: The Latest From the Stadium of Light
Deadline Day Recap
The Black Cats successfully added new recruits prior to the normally hectic transfer deadline day. However, there were some high profile departures.
Striker Will Grigg left to join MK Dons on loan for the rest of the season. The Northern Ireland international had an impressive goalscoring record prior to his big-money move to Wearside two years ago. To say his time at the Stadium of Light has been disappointing would be an understatement. He now has a chance at his previous club to rediscover his form and confidence.
Experienced forward Danny Graham also left the club for the second time in his career. His contract was cancelled by mutual consent to allow him to search for a club where he would be a first-team regular. Later in the week, Graham announced his retirement.
Highly-rated midfielder Elliot Embleton also left on loan late on deadline day. This was not a move fans had expected; however, prior to his move to Blackpool, Embleton signed a new contract with the club and the loan is seen as an ideal way for the midfielder to play on a frequent basis and build his experience before returning in the summer.
Takeover Latest From The Stadium of Light
As the Sunderland takeover entered another month, here is the latest from the ongoing saga. Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is currently awaiting the approval from the EFL for his takeover to be completed. However, it has emerged that the EFL require further assurances before they will sanction any deal.
Although Louis-Dreyfus is set to become the new owner of Sunderland, current owner Stewart Donald and fellow shareholder will still own minority stakes in the club. Therefore, the EFL want assurances that the pair will continue to fund the club alongside Louis-Dreyfus for the next two years. Should the EFL be satisfied with the assurances given, they should give the green light for the takeover to go ahead.
Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson believes the takeover is close to being completed. Speaking in the past week, Johnson was asked if he had been given an update in regards to the takeover. He said: “To be honest, no. I’ve genuinely just concentrated on winning, non-stop, try to give the lads the detail they need and to make sure they are believed in and comfortable.
“All that stuff will take care of itself – even though I truly believe it’s definitely on the right path and it is just dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.”
MK Dons: Part One
Sunderland travelled to Milton Keynes for the first of two games in quick succession against MK Dons. The first was a midweek game in the Papa Johns Trophy quarter-final.
Both teams fielded a mixture of first-team players and those on the fringes or returning from injury. Lee Johnson started new signing Jordan Jones, with the winger causing the opposition problems throughout.
Sunderland led at half-time via a Dean Lewington own goal in a 45 minutes which saw both teams squander good chances.
However, in the second half, it was the visitors who would progress to the semi-finals. Substitute Aiden McGeady doubled the lead with 14 minutes to go and fellow sub Charlie Wyke, who is currently enjoying his best season in front of goal, made sure of the win.
MK Dons: Part Two
Several days later, Lee Johnson’s men were back at Stadium MK. A win just like the one witnessed just days before was predicted as Sunderland looked to keep their promotion charge and away form intact. The home side had different ideas, though, and did not want a repeat of the scoreline from their previous meeting.
However, when the in-form Charlie Wyke netted early in the game, it looked as though Sunderland would win away from home once again.
MK Dons did not let their heads drop and began to cause a nervy Black Cats defence problems. By the 19th minute, the home side found themselves leading the game in what was becoming an increasingly frustrating afternoon for Lee Johnson and the fans. Goals from Joe Mason and Cameron Jerome provided a quick turnaround for the hosts.
Eleven minutes after the restart, Sunderland were back level through Luke O’Nien, who was playing in a midfield role rather than at right-back where he has played for the majority of his Sunderland career.
Both sides had chances to take all three points with Johnson’s men creating the more clear cut chances but ultimately failed to make any of them count.
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