Ahead of Saturday’s game against Sunderland, Read Swansea asked Chris Sparks (editor of Read Sunderland) some questions. Here are his thoughts before the game against the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light.

You just managed to survive last season? Can you improve in 2015/16?

Without a doubt, the aim is to crawl away from a relegation scrap this year, we haven’t got off to the best start however. Sunderland don’t appear to be prepared for the new season judging by the first two games. Last season was a disappointing campaign, everyone at the club expected us to progress under Gus Poyet, but it wasn’t to be. We required another change of manager and an annual near brush with the trap door.

How has Sunderland’s summer transfer business been?

Before the season began, most Sunderland supporters would have said that it has been decent so far. However, the first games have shown their weaknesses in defence and their lack of midfield influence. Advocaat surely must have a few iorns in the fire before September 2nd. Jeremain Lens appears to be a decent buy, a quick and creative player with an eye for goal, hopefully he can prove his worth sooner rather than later.

You’ve had a disappointing start to the season. Is Dick Advocaat really the man to take you forward?

The problem does not lie with Advocaat. Like many of his predecessors, Advocaat has noticed that there is a deep problem at the club that cannot be blamed on the manager. The squad is rotted with poor characters and championship quality players and a chairman who no longer wishes to waste his money. Should the team be improved and the players begin to show their passion and determination again, then no doubt is Advocaat the man to take Sunderland forward this year.

How do you view Swansea? And how will they do this season?

Swansea are a great team to watch as a neutral. They play beautiful football and are a good club who I think most fans have a soft spot for, mainly due to their fantastic rise to glory in recent years. Swansea must surely be aiming for the same again as last season, with the Europa League spots a genuine and realistic possibility.

What are your thoughts on the job Garry Monk is doing at Swansea?

What a fantastic manager and what a job he has done at the Swans! Alarm bells were raised when he was first announced as Laudrup’s replacement, but he has done remarkably well. He gets his team playing great football and will surely be at the top of the game for many years.

Who do you fear the most in the Swans squad?

Ki Sung-Yeung is a man Sunderland fans know well, he was fantastic for 85% of his time at the Black Cats, and of course, scored against them for Swansea last year. He has the ability to pass through the leaky Sunderland defence with ease and Sunderland must look out for this danger. Andre Ayew looks a great piece of business also, and may grab a third goal in as many games at the Stadium of Light if Sunderland’s defence is not alert.

And who will Swansea have to look out for in Sunderland’s side?

Jermain Defoe has the ability to grab a goal even if the striker does nothing all game. Swansea will have to be alert with Defoe capable of grabbing a goal or two from nothing. The Englishman will be out to prove a point too, with speculation about his future this week.

Prediction?

Realistically you can only see a Swansea win. However, I feel Sunderland have a point to prove and I back them to grab a draw on Saturday with both teams scoring at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland 1-1 Swansea