Next up in our series of members’ articles, which review the numbers behind the 2015/16 season, are Sunderland.
To get underway, we cast an eye over the Wearsiders’ team statistics under Sam Allardyce and compare them to both the rest of the Premier League and the first eight Gameweeks prior to the departure of Dick Advocaat. After that, we then delve into the data to assess their first-team squad, main goal threats and creative sources as we look to gain insight on their prospects for the season ahead.
After picking up three points – thanks to a trio of draws – in the opening eight Gameweeks, Advocaat’s decision to quit the club saw Big Sam appointed at the helm. The former West Ham boss took a while to steady the ship, though, and helped stave off the threat of relegation by embarking on a run that saw his side lose just twice in the final 14 league fixtures to finish two points ahead of the drop zone.
