How might the departures of Bradley Dack and Corry Evans affect Sunderland?

10/05/2024 07:00

With Dack and Evans seemingly set to leave the Stadium of Light this summer, we asked our writers for their thoughts on the potential departures of two experienced players

Andrew Smithson says...

Without knowing who we have lined up as replacements, I'd be wary about letting either player go.

As things stand, Evans certainly has a role to play, as not only does he bring experience, he's also one of our better options in midfield.

I think he was a big miss during 2023/2024 and during his brief recent cameos, it was pretty clear what he offers in terms of dictating the pace and keeping the ball moving.

There's also the fact that we've paid him for over a year without him being available, and that would be money down the drain if we didn't benefit from his rehabilitation.

As for Bradley Dack, I might be in the minority but I wouldn't mind if he was retained, either.

Although everyone concerned would probably admit that 2023/2024 was a disappointing season for him, it was obvious during games at Eppleton how much of a positive influence he was on some of the younger lads and if we're going to persist with the current options, they'll need a wiser head to talk them through things.

I also quite liked Dack's 'professional' side.

As a team, we can be naive at times and although I can't remember which exact match it was, one of the few minor pluses when losing at home recently was that he was still switched on when stopping quick free kicks, and was clearly bristling at the situation and was giving a bit back.

The obvious caveats are fitness and finance, and whether the club thinks that they can get similar types of player for a better rate, or could put their resources to better use elsewhere.

There's quite a bit to do in the market and I never like too much disruption, so if something quick and easy for the pair can be arranged, it means that's two deals sorted straightaway, and two less people having to settle and get to know the club.

I fully understand the desire of some to rip everything up and start again, and in a way I agree given the spiral of the last few months, but I'd prefer an element of caution and would expect the club to tweak their current methods and preferred profiles as opposed to changing them fully.

How Evans and Dack fit into that remains to be seen, but if they do end up moving on, I'd wish them well.

We can talk about their pros and cons as players but at the end of the day, they're humans and not commodities, so I'd like them to get fixed up either way as quickly as possible.

Joseph Tulip says…

Bradley Dack's time at Sunderland has always been a bit of a mystery to me.

His signing fuelled speculation about the future of Alex Pritchard and even before his seemingly inevitable departure, Pritchard's game time was frustratingly limited during the first half of 2023/2024.

Although Dack's campaign was hampered by injury, he never staked a major claim to Pritchard's crown as our first choice number ten.

Dack's performances were simply nowhere near the standard required and for a player who was such a prominent performer for Blackburn in the Championship, he never came close to even being a reliable deputy for Pritchard, and it would make sense to move him on.

In terms of Corry Evans, he was a consistent, calming and experienced presence and was always a key cog in our midfield, breaking up the play, protecting the backline and leading by example.

I don't know if he was one of our highest-earning players, but I would've been very happy to see him as part of our first team setup for another season.

We might have a plethora of new talent lined up to sign, but experienced pros with the attitude and qualities offered by Evans aren't something I'd give up lightly. Even if not as a regular starter, he'd be a valuable member of the squad if fully fit.

Kelvin Beattie says…

I think Dack will know himself that he's hardly justified his salary.

He had an opportunity to be one of the older and wiser heads on the pitch, but it's not worked out. Injury and associated fitness look to have sabotaged his stay with us, but I don't think it was through a lack of trying and I also think that we should wish him well, whatever comes next for him.

I feel a tad different about Evans, with a proviso or two.

He's looked reasonably steady during his recent cameos and there's little doubt that we've struggled to establish continuity in this position since his enforced absence.

If he's recovered from his injury and still has the drive and stamina for another campaign, I would've been inclined to give him one more season.

Of course, I have no real details regarding the degree of his recovery and his mental state, but one thing is for sure: in his playing time with us, he's brought a calm and steadying influence to our play that was needed and will need to be replaced if he leaves.