SUNDERLAND bosses were, in the words of Kristjaan Speakman, "super happy" with the way last season played out.

Understandably so.

Consolidation was the aim before a ball was kicked and yet the Black Cats exceeded expectations despite having to deal with a number of obstacles along the way.

Sunderland were first forced into a managerial change early in the season before Tony Mowbray - Alex Neil's replacement - was dealt a string of injury blows to key first team stars.

The Black Cats came up short in the play-offs but finishing in the top six was a major achievement in itself. The aim and the challenge now, though, is to build on last season's success and maintain what Speakman described as the "incredible pace" at which the club is moving on and off the pitch.

Despite his superb work, there was uncertainty over Tony Mowbray's position at the end of the season amid speculation linking the Black Cats with a couple of overseas bosses. Speakman didn't address those links directly in his interview with the club reflecting on the campaign, but did praise Mowbray for the job he's done so far. Mowbray, who is extremely popular with the players and supporters, made it clear he wants to stay and lead the Black Cats into the new season and is still expected to be the man in charge come the start of next season.

So, as Sunderland prepare for the coming campaign and look to build on last season's success, what is on the to-do list?

Build on transfer success while finding balance

Alex Neil was clear last summer.

“The strategy for this club is to buy young developing players, improve them and create value within the team, create value within the club and the squad," he said.

“They will be supplemented by senior players but the majority of our transfer fees, pretty much all of our transfer fees, will be spent on younger players.”

Come August, Neil was frustrated. He felt his squad was too thin and told of how "reinforcements were needed". That transfer frustration was no doubt a contributing factor to his departure. And with hindsight, the squad wasn't as deep as it needed to be, as became clear when injuries started to pile up.

And yet there's no doubt that the transfer strategy that Neil spoke of has been successful. Sunderland have impressively identified and then captured young talent. Dan Ballard, Aji Alese and Pierre Ekwah all arrived lacking experience but showed their quality and will be key men next season, while the Black Cats hope the likes of Jewison Bennette, Abdoullah Ba and Isaac Lihadji will benefit from a settling-in period and can make a big impact moving forward. Plenty of clubs will be kicking themselves for allowing Jack Clarke to move to Wearside last summer.

Sunderland are looking to move early in the transfer window. A deal to sign Nectarios Triantis is well down the line, while Jobe Bellingham is expected to move from Birmingham City.

Sunderland will no doubt have more young gems up their sleeve this summer, but need to strike a balance and ensure there's enough experience in the squad to help get the best out of the rookies.

And equally as important as arrivals this summer could be what happens regarding departures. Every player has a price but building on last season's success becomes extremely difficult if Sunderland lose key men such as Jack Clarke, who is wanted by Premier League clubs. Top flight interest in players is evidence in itself that the transfer strategy is working but the true test of the scouting and recruitment system will come when key players need replacing.

Sign at least one striker - and resolve Stewart situation

The obvious area that needs strengthening this summer is up-front.

Ross Stewart needs competition and - potentially - a partner. Mowbray liked the idea of playing Stewart and Ellis Simms as a two last season but never got the chance. Sunderland could do with two strikers this summer - one who is ready to make a mark in the first team and another - perhaps a young permanent signing - who is given time to find his feet while offering Mowbray another option.

Then, of course, there's the matter of Stewart's contract. The striker has one year left and it needs resolving one way or another as quickly as possible. Sunderland don't want a season of distraction where their star striker is concerned.

Find another Amad?

How do you go about replacing a £19m Manchester United star? Finding another Amad Diallo is the ultimate challenge for Sunderland this summer.

The dream scenario would be getting the youngster back for a second season but, with Erik ten Hag keen to have a look at the winger and with several Premier League clubs monitoring developments if Manchester United do sanction another loan, a Stadium of Light return feels unlikely.

Ba, Lihadji and Bennette will all have benefited from their time in and around the first team last season and will play a bigger part, but filling the boots of the Championship Young Player of the Season nominee is a huge ask.

Sunderland will, however, be in the market for more young Premier League talent on loan and Amad's success on Wearside will have been noted by top flight clubs. Mowbray has a reputation for developing young talent - one of the reasons why Leeds were so keen on Joe Gelhardt choosing Sunderland in January - and Premier League clubs will know their promising youngsters are in the safest of hands at the Stadium of Light.

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Behind scenes improvements

It's not just on the pitch that Sunderland are keen to ensure they keep progressing.

Behind the scenes, work is underway on improvements at the club's training base.

"We have some renovation work going on at AOL," explained Speakman.

"There's huge investment going into the football club. We have a brand new refectory being fitted out trying to give us best in class in nutrition and performance which will benefit all our players from nine through to the first team.

"Then there's loads of processes, loads of unsexy stuff that has to be there to be an elite organisation and elite sporting environment that we're really turning the screw and trying to improve on.

"Then for the rest of 2023, hopefully more success. We want to be putting out a team that will hopefully be challenging at the top of the league, no-one is satisfied with getting into the play-offs, while it's a great achievement in our first year back, we have to keep improving."