Sunderland's first campaign back in the Championship exceeded all expectations as the club qualified for the play-offs, but it's time to dish out the end-of-season grades. The season started under Alex Neil before Tony Mowbray took over as head coach at the end of August, and between them they used 36 players across 52 league, cup, and play-off games.
Of those, nine joined over the summer - including Jack Clarke and Leon Dajaku who made permanent moves to Wearside after spending time on loan with the Black Cats last term - along with three loan signings, including Manchester United forward Amad. The Black Cats added four more players in January, including Pierre Ekwah from West Ham, and bringing in Joe Gelhardt on loan from Leeds United.
Despite losing star striker Ross Stewart for almost three quarters of the season due to injury, Sunderland ended the season by clinching sixth place on the final day of the campaign before losing out to Luton Town over two legs in the play-off semi-final. But which players have made the greatest impact? Which players have handled the step up from League One with aplomb, and which have struggled to make the grade? Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter has graded their contributions.
READ MORE: Tony Mowbray expected to stay at Sunderland next season despite reports casting doubt on his future
Aji Alese B+
The pacy and powerful defender made a big impact since his summer move from West Ham, impressing both at centre-back and at left-back. Sorely missed when he sat out two months of the season through injury.
Amad A+
The on-loan Manchester United forward was the stand-out player of Sunderland's season, and ended up as the club's 14-goal top scorer. His skills, trickery, and goals made him a fan favourite. Will not be playing at Championship level next season.
Joe Anderson C
The young centre-back joined from Everton in January but made just a handful of substitute appearances. Promising, but may need to go out on loan next season to get more first-team experience.
Abdoullah Ba B-
Eight starts but made the vast majority of his appearances from the bench and has looked a very promising addition. Still raw, but has the ability to develop into a very good midfielder.
Dan Ballard A-
The summer signing from Arsenal has been a class act in central defence, despite suffering from injury problems that ruled him out for half the season. A quality addition who will only get better.
Alex Bass C
Played in the Carabao Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday and FA Cup third round win at Shrewsbury, but has otherwise watched from the bench with Anthony Patterson established as number one
Danny Batth B+
The rock at the heart of Sunderland's defence, bringing physical presence and experience to the side. Missed the final month of the season with a knee injury and was badly missed.
Jewison Bennette C+
The teenage Costa Rica winger showed some flashes of skill but is still settling in. Suffered a dislocated shoulder while away on international duty which meant he missed the last couple of months of the season.
Dennis Cirkin B
Excellent at left-back, left wingback, or as part of back three. His energy and willingness to get forward has been a major plus.
Jack Clarke A
One of Sunderland's most potent attacking threats, his ability to run at defenders causes panic. Ended up with 11 goals, while his 13 assists was the most of any Black Cats player
Leon Dajaku D+
Eight appearances, including two starts, but failed to any impact in the Championship. Was farmed out on loan to Swiss side St Gallen for the second half of the campaign.
Jack Diamond C-
Only played in the Carabao Cup and for four minutes as a sub in the league before being sent out on loan to Lincoln City.
Pierre Ekwah B
Arrived as an unknown from West Ham's U21 side, but he really came to the fore in the final weeks of the season. His passing and technical ability is excellent, and he will be expected to become a regular next term.
Elliot Embleton B
Brought an injection of creativity in the final third and contributed two goals and two assists, but missed the second half of the season after breaking his ankle at Hull in December.
Corry Evans B+
The experience and knowhow of Sunderland's skipper in the middle of the pitch was crucial, which meant his season-ending cruciate injury in January came as a huge blow.
Joe Gelhardt C+
The January loan signing from Leeds gave his all but only delivered three goals. He was signed to play alongside Ross Stewart, not as a replacement, and that was a problem when Stewart immediately got injured.
Lynden Gooch B+
His versatility was a huge bonus for Mowbray. Made the right-back role his own in the first half of the season, but also operated at left-back on occasion and - incredibly - as a left-sided centre-back when necessary.
Niall Huggins C
Made his long-awaited comeback after more than a year out through injury, but only made one start and a couple of substitute outings. Needs a full pre-season before he can be judged.
Trai Hume B+
First half of the season was frustrating, but came into his own in the second half as he became a key player at right-back and on the right side of a back three.
Caden Kelly C
One very short substitute appearance in the Carabao Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in August, so no chance to impress.
Isaac Lihadji C
Just a handful of substitute outings from the January signing. A lot more will be expected of him next season.
Jay Matete C-
On the fringes in the first half of the campaign, making only one league start while most of his outings came from the bench. Spent the second half of the season on loan at Plymouth, and helped the Pilgrims win the League One title.
Edouard Michut B
A promising season from the on-loan Paris St-Germain midfielder, who became a fan-favourite. Sunderland have an option to sign him but the signs are he will return to France.
Dan Neil B+
Backed up his breakthrough campaign in League One last season by proving he could handle the step up to the Championship. Missed only one game, and that was through suspension.
Luke O'Nien A-
Now seen as a defender, O'Nien impressed in a variety of roles across the back four - and sometimes back five. He has made himself indispensable.
Anthony Patterson B+
Patterson established himself as number one last season and held onto the shirt in the Championship. A fine season from the academy graduate, whose progress will not have gone unnoticed.
Alex Pritchard B
His craft, guile, and experience was a crucial part of the mix. Also had spells as a false nine as Sunderland searched for solutions when they were without strikers.
Chris Rigg B-
Introduced into the side as a substitute in the three FA Cup games, and on his debut became the club's youngest-ever outfielder at the age of 15 years and 203 days. Has a promising future - but will it be at Sunderland?
Patrick Roberts B
A lovely footballer to watch, but there is room to improve his end product. Should really have ended up with more than five goals (two of them in the same game) and seven assists.
Ellis Simms B
Brought in on loan from Everton as a second centre-forward and has scored seven goals in 17 outings despite missing a number of games through injury. Was recalled to Goodison Park in January.
Harrison Sohna C
Just one appearance, in the Carabao Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, and the young midfielder did OK.
Michael Spellman C
Just a ten minute outing in the Carabao Cup against Sheffield Wednesday. Also spent a brief loan spell at Whitby Town
Ross Stewart A
Last season's 26-goal top scorer scored ten goals in 13 Championship games - and 11 goals in 15 games overall - despite missing almost three-quarters over the season through injury. Just think of what Sunderland might have achieved had he been fit for even half the campaign. The question now is whether he will still be here next season.
Tom Watson C
The briefest of cameos for the teenage striker in the league game against Huddersfield in April.
Carl Winchester C-
Only one appearance, in the Carabao Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, before being farmed out to Shrewsbury Town on loan. Out of contract this summer and set to move on.
Bailey Wright C
Struggled for gametime in the first half of the season before getting a run of games in the build-up to the World Cup in November, where he was part of the Australia squad. Spent the second half of the season on loan at Rotherham and helped them stay up, but his campaign ended early due to an ankle injury.
READ NEXT
- Sunderland's pre-season continues to take shape with two more friendlies announced
- Jobe Bellingham 'set to sign' for Sunderland in £3m deal from Birmingham City
- Tony Mowbray explains how he brought the best out of Sunderland's young team
- Sunderland must get recruitment right over the summer to maintain momentum, says Tony Mowbray
- Never mind the play-off disappointment, Sunderland's Championship return was a triumph
