Sunderland journalist Michael Graham has explained exactly how the Black Cats dodged a transfer bullet in the summer.
The Black Cats have just come off the back of a massive win on Wearside as they saw off Sheffield United to get back to winning ways.
Sunderland, who now sit just two points away from the Blades in the Championship table, will have several key men to thank for the win, from Eliezer Mayenda after his Player of the Match performance to bag a goal when he was under pressure, to Wilson Isidor, with the Frenchman showing such class to execute his finish.
Anthony Patterson was also one to thank for his heroics in-between the sticks to deny Sheffield United attacker Kieffer Moore, who was far from being on top form in the clash. Sunderland were in fact linked with the Welshman this summer, but it is clear now that the Black Cats dodged a bullet with that one.
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Sunderland told why they dodged Kieffer Moore bullet in summer
The summer transfer window for Sunderland was epitomised by their maximum efforts in attempting to sign a striker, which saw several names linked with a move to Wearside.
One of which was Moore, who started up top for the Blades against Sunderland, and based off of that performance, it is clear that Chris Wilder’s side somewhat got the rough end of the deal.
Michael Graham, per X explained how poor the Welshman was in response to one Sheffield United fan, where he said in reference to whether he could have replicated Mayenda’s goal: “Jeez. This is next-level delusion. Kieffer Moore isn’t running away from defenders over 20 yards without the ball, never mind with it.”
The signing of Isidor this summer, which came about after failing to sign Moore, as well as the assurance of Mayenda are just some of the reasons why Sunderland have in fact benefitted from what looked at the time like a missed opportunity.
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Kieffer Moore would be unsuited to Regis Le Bris style of play
There is no doubting that Sunderland, whilst still having one-or-two issues, have more quality in the final third than Sheffield United, scoring four more this campaign.
If Sunderland did in fact sign Moore, it is likely that the Championship table would be entirely different, not just due to the fact that the Black Cats would likely have been without Isidor as a result, but they also would be utilising a striker that would not be getting played to his strengths.
When on form, the likes of Mayenda and Isidor are able to thrive due to their quick pace and ability to complete the quick counter attacks by running onto long balls, and this is something that Moore would be far less effective at doing.