Premier League 2016/17 preview: Sunderland – Talented, and able to avoid a real relegation fight

David Moyes has arrived as Sam Allardyce's successor at Sunderland and his primary task is Premier League safety. Peter Cziborra / Reuters

With the start of the 2016/17 Premier League season less than two weeks away, Premier League correspondent Richard Jolly provides his previews for each club. Here he looks at Sunderland.

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Sunderland managers tend to do two things: stay up and then get fired when they are in danger of the drop the following year. Sam Allardyce broke the mould, leaving for England before he could be damaged by the sort of slump his predecessors have experienced.

Enter David Moyes, offering the promise of greater longevity and a long-term strategy. The Scot finds himself playing catch-up already: Sunderland’s wait for a first summer signing was prolonged, with a deal for Davide Santon falling through.

Yet with the club clearing out unwanted players, he inherits little deadwood and a small squad at least affords him a chance to make his mark.

Allardyce also bequeathed a successful formula, with the January additions of centre-back Lamine Kone and holding midfielder Jan Kirchhoff strengthening the spine of the side although tightening a defence breached 62 times last season will still be a priority.

Wahbi Khazri, another January buy, is an indication that there is talent in Moyes’s group, but the key lies in instilling the attitude that brings consistency, much as he did at Everton. Moyes made them fixtures in the upper half of the table. Sunderland would probably settle for a first season without a relegation battle in five years.

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Key Man: Jermain Defoe

A haul of 15 goals would be impressive enough for anyone. For a club in danger of the drop, Defoe’s return was fantastic. He is much the biggest reason why Sunderland are still in the division. Yet, at almost 34, can he be as potent again?

Pivotal Signing: No one

They haven’t signed anyone yet. It does raise the importance of bringing someone in soon, though, particularly as the squad is small now.

Point to Prove: Jack Rodwell

Far from the only player who has failed to realise his potential at the Stadium of Light, but the reality is that Rodwell, a £10 million (Dh48.4m) signing in 2014, only began nine league games last season. Allardyce’s eventual winning formula did not include him.

Crucial Factor: The first few weeks

And not just because new managers often benefit from early wins, either. Sunderland have not won a league game in August since 2010 or September since 2012. They invariably spend autumn in the drop zone.

Predicted finish: 16th

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