Sunderland are flying high already, but fans believe adding a new player to one position in the squad could make all the difference for the second half of the season.
Regis Le Bris has done an incredible job since taking over at Sunderland in the summer, and the Black Cats’ squad boasts an impressive balance going into the January window.
However, there is always room for improvement, and while we know Le Bris is more interested in developing his young players, there will surely be one or two arrivals at the Stadium of Light in the New Year.
Judging by consensus among the fans, it is clear where Le Bris needs to look at first in his attempts to improve the team.
Sunderland need another striker in January to achieve promotion goals
Michael Graham took to Twitter/X to ask fans whether they believe the Sunderland squad needs a new striker or not, and the majority clearly believe it wouldn’t hurt to add more firepower in January.
One fan said: “I think we do, not to replace Wilson [Isidor]. But to add further depth for the run in.” Meanwhile, another added: “Yes but not necessarily someone who needs to play every game, just a good rotation option.”
Being more specific, one supporter suggested Sunderland need a “penalty box striker and someone who’s comfortable on both wings,” while another highlighted the need for a “a mobile target man to mix it up sometimes.”
A lot of fans were quick to point to Ipswich Town as a great example of how success can be achieved in the Championship by being well-stocked in the forward areas.
One reply said: “[Ipswich] probably didn’t need one but brought in two and got promoted.” Another added: “[You can] never have too many strikers. Look at Ipswich last season; injuries, rotation, and bench [players] but must be proven to push for promotion.”
On the other side of the argument, plenty of Sunderland fans backed Wilson Isidor to be more than enough to not need another striker, especially considering the other options the Black Cats have in reserve.
One fan stated: “We have Wilson. He’s only been struggling because Mundle and now Watson are injured. The wingers need to step up and do a better job of assisting him.”
Another added: “We have Rusyn, Abdullahi, Isidor, Mayenda, Connolly, and Ogunsuyi if needed. Unless we get rid of 2 or 3 we won’t be able to get another one.”
That depth could prove problematic if Sunderland do want to sign someone else, with one supporter suggesting: “Who’s going to look at that and think they are going to get plenty of chances to play?”
Wilson Isidor offers plenty, but he’s not scoring enough for Sunderland
Wilson Isidor started the season strong, scoring five goals by the start of November. However, as Sunderland’s form dipped, so did the Frenchman’s and he has now gone six games without a goal.
Still, Isidor has been praised for his work rate and movement by Jobe Bellingham after the win against Swansea City at the weekend, and there’s no denying he contributes with more than just goals.
| Statistics | Wilson Isidor 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 18 |
| Goals | 5 |
| xG | 5.1 |
| Shots on target % | 44.7 |
| Shot-creating actions per 90 | 1.46 |
| Offsides | 14 |
But, if Sunderland truly want to compete with the top teams in the league and push for automatic promotion, they will need more goals.
Louie Barry is the obvious target, but Sunderland will face a battle to secure his signature next month. Still, there are plenty of Premier League starlets looking for loan spells in the second tier, and Sunderland will be keeping a close eye on them all heading into the New Year.