Sunderland

Wearside has seen plenty of comings and goings in the close season, with Steve Bruce not hanging around in securing some of his targets. Last seasons 10th place finish was a good effort, and it will certainly take a lot to match or beat that. However smart purchases have been made, and if they can make the Stadium of Light a fortress there's no reason why they can't show improvement.

Goalkeeper

Keiren Westwood has arrived to add depth to an already strong goalkeeping line up, Craig Gordon is still their, despite the continuous links back to Scotland, while Steve Mignolet has also impressed. An area that no doubt has a lot of strength.

Defence

There's plenty of experience in this backline, highlighted by the fact they could field a back four consisting of ex Manchester United players. The main problem though could be gelling the new boys in with the new squad, something that is potentially a problem throughout their side.

Midfield


After the loss of Jordan Henderson, and bolstered by the huge influx of cash, Bruce has been busy trying to add some steel and creativity in the middle of the park. Sebastian Larsson could perhaps be his finest signing, securing the Swedes signature on a free transfer. While Lee Cattermole will once again lead the side, not the rumours linking him with a move away have subsided.

Forwards

Despite the loss of Darren Bent, Bruce has gone out and strengthened but it is Asamoah Gyan who will be trusted with leading the front line. Frazier Campbell's impressive development could continue, while Ji Dong-Won will add strength, while Connor Wickham is a tremendous prospect.

Manager

Bruce has been doing a good job in the North East, and the squad he now has at his disposal is the finest during his time at Sunderland. Some good results, and a well placed finish in the Premier League will have to be had to justify his outlay though.

Areas to Strengthened

As previously stated this side has strengthened all aspects already, so their isn't much left for Bruce to do except prepare his side for this Saturday's opening fixture.

Expectations

With some of the players at his disposal and the amount spent, despite the fee's received for Henderson and Bent, expectations will quite justifiably be high. A top half finish will have to be had to please the Sunderland faithful.

Odds

1250/1

Players in

Ahmed Elmohamady £2m (ENPPI) Connor Wickham £15m (Ipswich Town) Craig Gardner £6m (Birmingham City) Ji Dong-Won £2m (Chunnam Dragons) Wes Brown undisclosed (Manchester United) John O'Shea undisclosed (Manchester United) David Vaughan free (Blackpool) Keiren Westwood free (Coventry City) Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham City) James McClean £350,000 (Derry City) Nicklas Bendtner loan (Arsenal)

Players out

Jordan Henderson £16m (Liverpool) Anton Ferdinand £3m (Queens Park Rangers) Steed Malbranque undisclosed (Saint Etienne) Nathan Luscombe free (Hartlepool United) Robbie Weir and Michael Key free (Tranmere Rovers) Jean-Yves M'Voto free (Oldham Athletic) Cristian Riveros loan (Kayserispor) George McCartney loan (West Ham United) Boudewijn Zenden, Dan Madden, Nathan Wilson, Michael Lamb, Andrew Harrison, David Brown (all released)

Transfer flops: Jean-Alain Boumsong

After a transfer that raised many eyebrows to start off with, it was soon evident that the public were right all along.

In his native France Jean-Alain Boumsong built up quite a reputation, alongside Philippe Mexes at the heart of the Auxerre defence.

However at four years at the club, and with his contract coming to an end Rangers lured Boumsong to Ibrox in the summer of 2004.

Despite his upcoming frailties in England though, he adapted quickly in Scotland and enhanced his reputation.

So much so that Newcastle manager Graeme Souness paid £8m in January 2005, ending his Scottish adventure after just half a season.

However the defensive mistakes began to creep in and it was clear he didn't possess the movement or nous to keep out Premier League strike forces.

After 18 months his unhappy spell came to end, as he moved to Juventus for barely a third of the fee Newcastle paid Rangers.

After another year and half he was on the move again, this time back to France with giants Lyon.
Citing the fact he felt he had more chances of making the French Euro 2008 squad with this transfer.

Boumsong is now playing his trade in Greece, after moving to Panathinaikos during last summers transfer window.

England V France: Time for the talking to stop

We are now a little over two days away from what is being billed as the crunch encounter of this years Six Nations campaign.

By the time England and France have finished doing battle at Twickenham on Saturday, the victorious team will be fully expected to go on and claim a grand slam.

In the build up it seems France are a little on edge ahead of the game.

We have seen Marc Lievremont shouting off, with his 'everyone hates England' jibe, attempting to wind up the hosts and provoke a response.

Instead we have seen Martin Johnson remain tight lipped, and Toby Flood openly mock the comments.

In addition the visitors to HQ have made several changes to their starting XV for the game.

Sebastien Chabal, Vincent Clerc, Dimitri Yachvili and Yannick Jauzion have all been recalled, while Maxime Medard is shifted to full back.

There's no doubt they will attempt to be more physical than Italy, and get in the faces of the English front row.

But in addition they will not concede sloppy ball like the Italians did, and will definitely not stand off and allow England to attack in flowing fashion.

England on the other hand have made just one change, as Andrew Sheridan comes back in after injury with Alex Corbisiero moving out of the side.

This seems a more settled side, and it is no secret that they have been scoring freely while France haven't exactly had a tight defence.

And despite French claims that they have a plan to contain Chris Ashton, the Northampton wing will no doubt be a threat.

On home soil, and form considered, England should run out the victors but it certainly won't be easy.

However after their next game at home to Scotland, a potential grand slam finale will rest on a tricky trip to Ireland.

How nice it is to be able to dream of a first English grand slam since 2003.