“Seems like a no-brainer” – Alex Neil eyes Sunderland reuinion with former favourite: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sunderland are keen on free agent goalkeeper John Ruddy, according to the Sunday Mirror (05/06: p69).

The Black Cats are preparing for life back in the Championship and are keen to strengthen their goalkeeping options after Lee Burge was released and Ron Thorben-Hoffman’s loan deal came to an end.

It is understood Ruddy, who left Wolves this summer, is a target with Alex Neil seemingly keen on a reunion after the pair worked together at Norwich City.

But would he be a good signing? And would he start?

Our FLW writers issue their verdicts…

Charlie Gregory

John Ruddy interesting Sunderland isn’t a surprise when you consider the fact that Alex Neil has worked with the player before at Norwich and is aware of what the shot-stopper can do.

Perhaps the one surprise is that he is signing a player who is now 35-years-old and might not be 100% match fit because of the fact he has struggled for action recently. If he plans to use Ruddy as a backup who can aid the rest of the first team in terms of his leadership and passing his knowledge onto other keepers then great.

If he plans to use him as a first-team option – which I wouldn’t be surprised at – then it could work well but it’s a bit more of a gamble. Ruddy certainly has plenty of Championship experience and could help keep the Black Cats up with his know-how but is he still up to scratch on a regular basis in the second tier?

It could be a solid signing considering it’s a free transfer and what he could offer to the Sunderland group as a whole but whether he is a