https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2018/june/flanagan-signs-up Sunderland AFC have completed the signing of Tom Flanagan from Burton Albion. The defender, who made 27 appearances in the Sky Bet Championship last season, has signed a two-year deal, Flanagan becomes Jack Ross’ fourth signing of the summer, following Alim Ozturk, Jon McLaughlin and Chris Maguire to the Stadium of Light. Speaking about the signing, Ross said: “First and foremost, I think he’s at an age, and at a stage in his career, where he feels he’s not quite achieved what he can do given his ability, so this is an opportunity for him to reach his potential. “He can help us improve as a team and beyond that, what he gives me as a manager is really good versatility because he can play anywhere across the back four which will be important as the season goes on. “I’ve spoken previously about how it’s important to have players who not only have experience in this division but have been successful in it, and he’s gained promotion from the league before so that will stand us in good stead.” The 26-year-old started his career with Milton Keynes Dons, progressing through the ranks at Stadium MK, and captaining the under-18s, before making 45 first-team appearances for the club. As a youngster, he spent time on loan with Kettering Town, Gillingham, Barnet, Stevenage and Plymouth Argyle before signing a permanent deal at the Pirelli Stadium in August 2015. Flanagan played 20 times for Burton during their 2015-16 promotion winning season, turning out alongside fellow new recruit Jon McLaughlin. He went on to play 75 league games for the Brewers and earned senior international recognition, with his Northern Ireland debut coming in June 2017 against New Zealand
Just looking forward to seeing the last of the old brigade, even if it brings a slight drop in quality, I want nothing more than to be proud of the team again, whatever the division. Totally sick of the mercenaries of the past decade or so, they have almost destroyed the club from within. Onwards and upwards with SD and Co.
No idea, but so far I've been pleased with our purchases despite having no idea about their ability to getting us promoted. I said on another thread that we need big no nonsense players to help out our improving youngsters (providing they stay with us of course). We're going to need physicality to get out of this league, and Ross &Co are giving us that, and as to the old brigade, get rid asap.
I would think so, by the time the newbies are bedded in. After the last two years and the overhaul it would be as good as we can hope for.
Not sure how we can judge that. No idea what level of player we need to succeed at the top end. Who else has signed any significantly better players? I know nothing about the division but believe that the owner and gaffer have the club more in their thoughts than previously. I’m actually looking forward to the season. Can’t stand these idiots saying we should be going for premier league players when we’re a third division club
Who thinks we should be signing Premier League players ? I didn't know any Sheff Utd players last year but they tore us to bits. It took them a few year to build a team to get back up. It won't be easy.
Wasn’t a dig at you so no need to get defensive. Some idiots on twitter expecting household names in the squad. Totally unrealistic. I don’t think it’ll be easy but I do think we are a much bigger side than this division has seen since we were last in it 30 years ago! We have an owner willing to do business the right way and trying to get the right people off the books. We seem to have a transfer budget as big as most who have been relegated.
No offence taken at all, I just hope there's a McPhail or Pascoe in amongst these signings, as most agree, they'll be better than the mercenaries who put us here.
Nothing wrong with fans wanting us to show ambition to get out of this league, but according to some we are not allowed to do that, we've got to keep reminding fellow fans which league we're in every 5 minutes.
Nothing wrong with it at all but we have to be realistic too. The new owners understand the position that we're in and are trying to bring in players who are happy at League 1 level but are capable of making the transition to a higher league. As they've said, we'll have to be a bit like Dortmund and sell players to progress. It would be wrong to sign players that are only ever going to be good enough for League 1 but it would be equally daft (and a non-starter) to try and sign big names. Anyone giving Stewart Donald grief about the players we're bringing in clearly can't have a clue.
