My point being that seeking cheap deals isn't always the same as being financially conscious. Sunderland probably would have been better off with higher fee transfers rather than buying...it appears to be 34 players over six years, plus a couple dozen loans and several free transfers? Ye gods.
The buying policy definitely works and I think we have a very good squad to compete now with even more positive signs of development into very good players. Of course it's the selling that hurts but players have a lot of power these days. However frustrating it is to see skilful players we love move on we generally get top dollar for them. The black box is pretty reliable. As a side, I caught a glimpse of the Sunderland black box transfer policy and they have kept it simple. Has player ever played for Everton? If yes, sign him up. If no, has player ever played under moyes? If yes, sign him up. If no, player rejected. I love the simplicity of it all.
If my mate is anyone to judge by, he only goes to the games these days to meet up with his Sunderland fans support group. The game is becoming increasingly irrelevant to a good day out. Sunderland FC must be the collective name for a group of maochists.
I say it again - we had deals lined up, but how is it the clubs fault they players dont join? the selling club don't want to sell mid-season? the deal falls through due to injury? There's only so much the club can do, they can't force anyone to join, unfortunately. I completely agree we should have signed a CB, but equally, I can see how we haven't signed a CB because theres much more to it than "find someone"
We only appear to have had one deal lined up: for a perpetually injured backup in the Russian league. The Sakho deal seems to have been more aspirational, as evidenced by the fact that Liverpool indeed loaned him out, to a team willing to meet their demands.
Glad we didnt get Sakho as he seems to have a wiff of Osvaldo about him. Getting anyone is not the way to go.
Are you sure? They are out of both cups and despite all the investment are only a couple of places ahead. I am sure Palace had spent more over the last 12 months and look where they are. In contrast, Arsenal have spent relatively little in the past 2 transfer windows for a club of their stature.
I think it's a fair question. Why shouldn't he ask? I voted in the middle. I think our failure to replace fonte will cost us, however we might be ok and come summer be celebrating and praising the board.
I agree that our not replacing Jose isn't good, but what do you mean by "will cost us?" Cost us what?
But if we have 4 keeper injuries we are in real trouble. I think it's forward thinking from the board.
Personally I'm really happy to see Stephens given a good go, I still think Reed stuck by us having to replace Fonte but we replaced from within. It has always been said with the 'Black Box' policies that the first thing we do before looking at players we can sign is look at players who can do the same job from the youth. If next season Stephens, Sims, McQueen, Hesketh, Gallagher, McCarthy and of course JWP and Targett were all proper parts of the squad, I'd get enjoyment from that even if we were average in general. The transfer policy may be wobbling but I'll be happy if the youth policy continues to show a resurgence, so I consider that a silver lining.
Yeah, it probably was a fair question, and if I voted I would probably vote in the middle. I still believe my question is equally fair though.
A lot of people saying we shouldn't judge just on the last two windows, but over a period of a few years and I can see that point, but also disagree. Sure, we've made steps forward each year until now, but slowly. The backwards step this year however has been spectacular. It's like we've gone 3 steps forward, followed by 1, followed by 1, followed by 5 steps backwards. We're basically no better now than we were better than we were when Poch first took over. Sure we have Van Dijk, but other than that the rest of the team isn't really performing at a higher level. What we have to hope is that a) that's because we have so many that are 25 or less that some will improve, b) we'll be less unlucky with injuries next season, and c) the ones who are first season now really kick on from the start of next season. The problem we face is that in the summer we need 1 x CB (2 if VVD leaves), 1 x RB, 1 x CF and that's before any less obvious departures. We may also need another DM or #10 because the current system with two CM's who neither protect nor create really doesn't work.
