With the 2015/16 English Premier League season a matter of weeks away, Richard Jolly provides his thoughts on each of the 20 teams and predicts their final league finish. Here he looks at Sunderland.
Sunderland seasons have settled into a damaging pattern of overspending and underachievement, alleviated only by derby wins, and they invariably resort to regime change to prevent relegation.
Dick Advocaat initially saw himself as a short-term saviour who would then retire. Sunderland then persuaded the Dutchman to stay for a further season. Advocaat’s pragmatism entailed using Jermain Defoe as an ersatz full-back in Sunderland’s surge to safety.
Now a more progressive approach should be implemented, not least because Sunderland’s football in recent years has often been uninspired. The Netherlands international Jeremain Lens represents a high-class addition; given Sunderland’s miserable total of 31 goals last season, he and the January arrival Defoe ought to render them more prolific, though it will help if Steven Fletcher rediscovers his goal touch.
At the other end of the pitch, the signings of Sebastian Coates and Younes Kaboul reflect the over-reliance on the ageing centre-backs Wes Brown and John O’Shea. Lee Cattermole’s new five-year deal is a sign of his importance in midfield, but if Sunderland are to become more watchable and proficient, the gifted but frustrating pair of Jack Rodwell and Emanuele Giaccherini will have to deliver more.
It is crucial, too, that Sunderland improve at home. Their long-suffering fans deserve more than four wins on their own turf.
Key man: Jermain Defoe — A rather strange Sunderland career has brought a mere four goals in 16 games, but that includes a spectacular derby winner and frequent defensive duties. This season, perhaps, Sunderland will see one of the best poachers of his generation.
Pivotal signing: Jeremain Lens — The Dutchman offers the promise of goals from the flanks. Sunderland have a poor record in the transfer market in recent years, especially when buying big. Lens may change that.
Crucial factor: Start as they finish. Sunderland won four of their last five games in 2013/14. They took 12 points from their final eight matches last season. In both cases, they passed a test of character. Yet for much of those seasons, they have hovered around, or less than, a point a game. That form has got them into relegation trouble.
Prediction: 15th
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
