The January transfer window is over, and we’ve been dissecting the comings and goings at Sunderland to ascertain just how successful the last month has been for the Black Cats.
Sunderland weren’t the most busy club during the winter window, but they did manage to get some great deals done during the month.
With Regis Le Bris leading the Mackems to a surprise promotion push this season, recruiting wisely during the January window was always going to be important.
So, we took some time to get the expert view of TBR Football’s Strategic & Operational Head of Football, Graeme Bailey, when it comes to all things Sunderland and their activity in the window.
Just how good a signing is Enzo Le Fee for Sunderland?
We all know by now that the acquisition of Enzo Le Fee was a huge coup. He’s been marked as the best signing of the January window by some, and Le Fee could take take Sunderland to the next level.
On the signing, Bailey said: “I am a bit biased as I’ve been writing about Le Fee for years. I love him as a player — when he arrived I said he was now the best player in the Championship – he is too good for this level.”
Why were Sunderland beaten to so many attacking targets?
It wasn’t all success for Sunderland over the last month, though. In fact, they were linked with at least 12 attacking targets, but only managed to sign one of them. So, what went wrong?
“You would have to ask the players,” Bailey said. “But, most of the deals they failed with were loans with obligations. That doesn’t suit everyone.”
Will Sunderland regret not getting a second new striker in?
In the end, Jayden Danns was the only new attacking player to join Sunderland. Fans are frustrated that Danns has arrived injured, too, so will he really be enough to offer the squad depth Le Bris wanted and needed?
“He is a very good addition, I think he will play his part,” Bailey replied. “But, clearly Regis Le Bris wanted another central player.”
Graeme Bailey on Sunderland’s promotion hopes
Sunderland are currently fourth in the Championship table, just five points off league leaders Leeds United. They are already at a disadvantage compared to their promotion rivals, and yet the Mackems just keep plugging away and getting results.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 30 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 60 | 19 | 41 | 63 |
| 2 |  BurnleyBurnley | 31 | 16 | 13 | 2 | 37 | 9 | 28 | 61 |
| 3 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 30 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 41 | 21 | 20 | 61 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 30 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 45 | 26 | 19 | 58 |
| 5 |  BlackburnBlackburn | 31 | 13 | 6 | 12 | 35 | 31 | 4 | 45 |
| 6 |  West BromWest Brom | 30 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 39 | 27 | 12 | 44 |
Considering the business they have done and the state of play at the top of the table, is it enough for Sunderland to get over the line and reach the Premier League?
Bailey said: “He has done a wonderful job, embracing the young talent — for me, he took up the reigns not from Michael Beale but from Tony Mowbray — he has continued his good work and taken it on.
“Sunderland are not getting top two. But, do they have enough to get through the play-offs? Of course they do.”
What are your thoughts on the Tommy Watson saga?
Arguably the most exciting story on deadline day for Sunderland was the saga surrounding Tommy Watson’s potential move to Brighton. It was a chaotic and worrying time for Black Cats’ fans, who feared they may lose one of their best young players, but eventually, Watson stayed put.
On that whole situation, Bailey told us: “Sunderland are working hard to persuade him to sign a new deal, but at it stands it doesn’t look likely – it’s not ideal and they have avoided this situation with their other top youngsters.
“As it stands, I think he will be leaving, but they fended off interest in January in the hope he could sign a new deal.”
How close were Sunderland to losing someone like Jobe Bellingham or Chris Rigg?
Speaking of keeping top talent, Sunderland managed to stave off interest from top clubs around Europe when it comes to Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg. The pair have even been scouted just this week by the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.
We asked Bailey whether these players were ever truly at risk of moving on, and he insisted: “Not at all. Allowing any of their top youngsters to leave — Rigg, Bellingham, Dan Neil, Trai Hume, Anthony Patterson — it was never on their agenda.”