10 Things We Learned From Sunderland Til I Die Season 2

Wembley heartache aside, the Deadline Day saga of signing striker Will Grigg from Wigan is arguably the series and the season’s defining moment. From Gillingham to Portsmouth, it’s safe to say not many defences in the 2018/2019 League One season were terrified.

Signed to replace the outgoing Josh Maja, Grigg was the subject of a Transfer Deadline Day ‘will they won’t they’, spearheaded by the overtly desperate, and at this moment hapless, Stewart Donald. Like your paralytic mate who can’t resist going back to throw one last punch on a frenzied night out, Donald simply can’t leave well enough alone. Sunderland’s owner falls into the trap of endless chairmen and executives, bidding way beyond Grigg’s value to the dismay of his supporting staff.

Given Grigg’s solid record at that level and Donald’s reasoning that he could offer that bit of experience later in the season, there seems to have been a slither of method in his madness. But £3 million and four league goals later, Donald in hindsight looks out of his depth and punch drunk.

Will Grigg was most certainly not on fire.