Why Sunderland need 'experience and understanding' to survive

BBC News

a day ago

We asked for your questions for BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha on your Premier League club.Chris asked what Nedum's former club Sunderland can do to strengthen for the challenges of the Premier League next season after securing promotion.That is a tough question.I would say they need to find people with good Premier League experience that also understand what it takes to galvanise a group to take on a challenge that most of those guys have not experienced before - and can do it as significant underdogs on a week-to-week basis.If you bring somebody in who expects to be successful straight away then some of the tougher times might affect the mood. You need someone with experience who is realistic and can also be part of a team build.You do not want to go into the Premier League and just figure it out as you go along. You want to have a plan and to build. It seems like the manager has got a lot of belief in them by finally getting back up there, plus some of the players already there could potentially do well in the top flight.Sunderland need to find players who will complement that, not ones who are going to be doing things for themselves if things start to go sour because, in reality and as it stands, people do not expect them to win a lot of games.They are going to have to be fighting their way through on a week-to-week basis.I have heard links with Jordan Henderson coming back. I do not know if he will, but if somebody with that much Premier League experience would want to be part of a transition period for the club - and he is also in one himself - then that would be great.That is part of what you need - somebody who will understand the area, understand the fanbase and understand the club. Not somebody who just sees a chance to go and play in the Premier League.If you fail to find the right mix then it will be a real split in terms of those who have come up with the side and those who arrive.If Sunderland do not get experience and understanding then they will be in a terrible position in a year's time - probably heading back to the Championship but this time without that cohesive feeling they had just a few weeks ago.Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat HaywardSunderland fans, this is your Premier League club page. If you're using the app, tap the bell icon and select news alerts and we'll send the best bits straight to you. If you're on a desktop, hit follow and you'll start seeing more Sunderland content when you use the site.