@JHunterChron Lee Johnson says he's confident he'll get one new player in before the transfer deadline, hopefully two, and ideally three. #safc Lee Johnson on chances of Grigg going to Shrewsbury: I can't give you a definite answer on that. I have spoken to Will. #safc LJ: Will Grigg won't be allowed to leave unless another striker comes in. #safc LJ: Bailey Wright is fine. He was mildly concussed so he has to go through the protocol, and a series of tests. This weekend might be too soon for him, but we will leave it up to the doctor. #safc
It's all slotting in to place... Ross County sign striker Shrewsbury sell striker Shrewsbury want Grigg and Ross County need to cash in on Stewart - and both have "cleared the way"
Shrews are leading Will Grigg chase - as Sunderland target a new striker and left-back 27th January Shrewsbury are leading the chase for Sunderland striker Will Grigg please log in to view this image By Scott Wilson scottwilsonechoChief Sports Writer please log in to view this image Sunderland striker Will Grigg 0 comment SHREWSBURY TOWN are currently leading the race to land Sunderland striker Will Grigg on loan – but the financial practicalities of the deal will require some difficult negotiating ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline. Lee Johnson is ready to let Grigg leave Wearside for the second half of the season in order to free up some room on the wage bill for additions of his own. Shrewsbury came close to signing the Northern Ireland international on deadline day last January, only for a proposed deal to collapse, but Steve Cotterill is keen to push through a new agreement ahead of Monday night’s deadline. The Shrews boss is currently recuperating after a Covid infection, but is overseeing business from his position in isolation and has made Grigg his number one target. MK Dons have shelved an interest in the 29-year-old, who joined Sunderland in a £3m move from Wigan Athletic two years ago, but League Two promotion hopefuls Salford City are currently rivalling Shrewsbury for the forward’s signature. Neither side is in a position to pay Grigg’s wages in full for the second half of the season, so Sunderland will be asked to agree to a compromise agreement that sees them continue to fund a portion of the forward’s pay packet while he plays elsewhere. Understandably, Black Cats officials will attempt to get the best deal possible, so negotiations could well continue right through to deadline day. At this stage, neither Shrewsbury nor Salford are understood to have tabled an offer that would acceptable to the Sunderland hierarchy, although the former are currently regarded as the best-positioned suitors. Johnson wants to recruit a new attacker of his own this month, and has clearly concluded that Grigg is surplus to requirements. “I have had discussions with Will, and I think he feels it hasn't gone as well as he'd hoped it would in the last 18 months,” said the Sunderland boss. “If there’s a challenge and a change that suits all parties in the short term, we might have a look at it." As well as looking to sign a striker, Johnson is also keen to recruit a left-back, with Hibernian’s Josh Doig, Brighton’s Alex Cochrane and AFC Wimbledon’s Paul Osew all under consideration.
LJ LATEST Lee Johnson: 'We won't be able to keep all our senior players if we have to spend another season in this league QUOTE
Managers don't come out with that sort of stuff unless he is virtually gone. The deal must be close imo. And as Johnson says, he won't let him go without a replacement. Wouldn't be surprised if the signing is announced before Griggs departure.
We are starting to see what coaches can do for players in my opinion. A couple of months ago I doubt many would want to keep Wyke, O'Brien, Scowen and one or two others. You can see real individual improvement in a number of lads. I cant wait to see how much O'Nien, Hume and Gooch might improve - I personally reckon Gooch will become a much better player. My point is by the end of the season I think there will be a bigger handful of players we want to stay than we thought a month ago. For too long we have focussed on player price rather than coach value and I can see already how much value the coaching is bringing.
Good points, Hume and Gooch in particular would benefit from careful coaching, both are weapons in terms of ability but both have issues which can be ironed out by a good coach no problem. Johnson's going to enjoy working with those three and what they bring to the team. His type of players I imagine.