Sunderland were listless in the Championship last season as they kept struggling to find their feet. Owing to their shambolic performances and unproductive results more often than not, they finished rock-bottom in the league table with just 37 points to their name and thus dropped down a division to the League One.
With Jack Ross at the helm of the Stadium of Light, Sunderland should try to earn an immediate promotion back to the Championship.
Ross has been very busy this summer in beefing up his ranks and has already managed to get hold of some quality players like Glenn Loovens, Reece James, Jerome Sinclair and Jon McLaughlin. However, he is still active in the transfer market in search of new additions.
As per reports, Sunderland recently secured the services of Peterborough United defender Jack Baldwin. Ross had been targeting the 25-year-old defender for a major chunk of the on-going transfer window and Baldwin is a good addition.
What will Jack Baldwin add to Sunderland?
Baldwin started his career with non-league side Faversham Town and the potential he showcased early on persuaded Hartlepool United to snap him up in 2011 when he was an 18-year-old.
He impressed at Victoria Park and grabbed quite a few eyeballs. Due to the defensive qualities he possessed, he took very little time to nail down a regular spot for himself in the starting line-up of the Pools.
He excelled with Hartlepool United in League One and attracted a lot of interest from other clubs. In the January transfer window of 2014, Peterborough United lured him to the London Road Stadium after they shelled out £500,000.
Baldwin went on to make more than 100 appearances for his current club and has found the back of the net on 5 occasions. He was made the captain last season and featured regularly for them.
Predominantly, Baldwin is a strong centre-back but is capable enough to ply his trade as a right-back or as a defensive midfielder. He is very strong in the air and is known for his tough tackling approach.
He is an astute reader of the game and has a calm and assured head on his shoulders. The Englishman is comfortable playing out from the back and should be an ideal player in the tactical nous of Ross, who wants his troops to play attractive football.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored
