10 Players Sam Allardyce Could Bring With Him To Sunderland

7. James Collins

James Collins is a bizarre defender, mainly because he's not a very good one, yet managers continue to keep the faith in him. The Welsh international has been a seemingly trusty member of the West Ham squad for several years either side of a stint at Aston Villa. Sunderland's defensive woes have been well-documented in recent weeks, and a centre back looks to be high on the January shopping list. Individual errors have cost the Black Cats dearly this season, though while Collins presence isn't likely to signal an end to the mistakes, Allardyce could use him as a no-nonsense, backs-to-the-wall defender.