We’ve diagnosed the problems, identified the targets and given our recommendations... now it’s your turn.
There’s nothing every football fans loves more than to speculate on where their team needs to strengthen, how much to spend and who to buy. Our team-by-team analysis of what needs to be done is the perfect chance for just that.
To view our suggestions for your team, click here.
We have pinpointed the weak spots and given our suggestion for who should be the number one priority as well as a handful of alternatives.
Will Steve Bruce heed our advice? Have we missed a trick? Is our budget unrealistic? Who would YOU sign? Don’t be shy in letting us know by dropping us a comment at the foot of the page. Let the debate commence...
Centre back: Ryan Nelson (Blackburn) We're assuming the incoming Sunderland boss is going to have a shed-load to spend, so let's see if money talks with a £6 million+ offer for Ryan Nelson. Sunderland's current defensive options (barring the Nos) are woeful...Nelson is a leader.
Alternatives: Titus Bramble (Wigan), Ronald Zubar (Marseille)
Centre Midfield: Scott Brown (Celtic) If there's one thing Sunderland lack, it is a driving force. Kieran Richardson, Dean Whitehead and Teemu Tainio are hardly players whose names belong next to the phrase 'grabbing the game by the scruff of its neck'. Brown was the best player in Scotland last season, but how much will he be affected by the departure of wee Gordon? Brown's all-action style is perfect for English football, will Sunderland's millions prove enough of a lure?
Alternatives: Darron Gibson (Man Utd), Modest M'Bami (Marseille), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham)
Wide midfield: Bolo Zenden (Marseille) Speak to anybody who has ever worked with Bolo and they will tell you he is the epitomy of professionalism. And Steve Bruce loves a professional - particularly after the Amr Zaki farce. Sunderland have next to no width, yet they have a striker in Kenwyne Jones who is semi-redundant if he isn't supplied with crosses. Zenden ticks a lot of boxes, not to mention he's a free agent.
Alternatives: Jermaine Pennant (Liverpool), Martin Petrov (Man City)
Striker: Fabrizio Miccoli (Palermo) If there is one thing Niall Quinn could write a book on (apart from annoying Roy Keane) it is big man little man partnerships. At 5ft 6, Miccoli is that small man who could complement the big man Jones for a match made in heaven. Miccoli bagged 14 league goals in Serie A this season for a Palermo side who did not qualify for Europe.
Alternatives: Darren Bent (Tottenham), Hugo Rodellaga (Wigan)