And Martin o neill comes in, anyone think we will recall Gyan and even go back and try to buy Bent. I am more convinced than ever that there is far more to those players leaving now than just money. Okay, Bent isn't going to happen now but if Gyan came back next summer it would tell its own tale imo. Just a thought. I'm bored. Lol
hope it's when and not if but i can't see o neill coming anyway, personally i just wan't to see a manager who knows what he's doing, i.e. making the correct subs at the right times, not playing 4-5-1 all the time ffs
I think anyone other than Bruce would jump at the chance of bringing Gyan back. The bottom line is we're not Barcelona, Real or Man. U. In our position, we can't afford to just toss international class players away - we've tossed Bent away already so how many more? Get Asamoah back if at all possible. The lad ran his legs off for us all last season, and when it finally got to him, people turned against him and called him a greedy bastard. He's a class act and Sunderland are short of them - end of.
I have read a couple of posters say they dont think O'Neill would come? I dont understand this? He turned us down last time for 2 main reasons. a) his wife was very ill and he didn't want to uproot and relocate b) we were a championship club and he didn't want to go back to that division as he'd done his apprenticeship there. I cant see one thing wrong with either of those reasons personally. Why should he have taken a backward step in his career just to manage us? I think he would absolutely relish the challenge of resurrecting the failing fotunes of a stable EPL SAFC. I would absolutely relish the chance to watch his team personally. I think he would be a super lift for us all and especially the players.
I was rather thinking that both Bent and Gyan left SAFC for Bruce related reasons, not just money. Had they both been happy, I reckon both would have still been here.
I think you're right, Cest. Of course, money had something to do with it. When you go on international duty from Sunderland, you don't expect to be on the same money as the likes of Terry, Rooney and Muntari. But when you find yourself 50% down on e.g. Young and Downing, it must have some effect. But flogging your guts out, chasing aimless long balls with two or three markers on you all day is nobody's fun. It might be a bit better now with the likes of Gardner and Sess prepared to back you up, and with Vaughan and Larsson who can pass to your feet. But playing lone striker in front of Catts, Colback and Henderson last season must have been thankless murder. Once the decision was made to leave, of course they went to high bidders - wouldn't you?
It'll work with midfield support - if there's one up front for Barca and he gets the ball he just has to take it wide, hold it up and wait for the cavalry to arrive. It'll also work with accurate passing - Bent played up front alone for Villa towards the end of last season but he was being fed by Young and Downing. But look at that midfield of ours last season - where were the forward runners in there? And which of them would pass a ball to your feet. They just hoofed it and left the poor bugger up front to chase after it. If he got it, he had to shoot (no matter how slim the chance of scoring) because there was no cavalry on the way. I can't blame Bent and Gyan for sickening because in all honesty, I'd have been sick as well.
The teams that have success with this formation have genuine left and right wingers with pace to burn and overlapping attacking full backs. They also have a central midfielder that will bust a gut to get forward in support and contribute with a few goals over the season. Sadly, we don't
Spot on Dorset. For that formation to work, you have to have players comfortable in those roles. Not as fat **** does playing players all over the shop. Then again, we know nowt about football do we?
No. Anyone you thinks it was more than money orientated may be reading to much into it. Let him stew over there, as for O'Neil, hope he's not first choice as a replacement...Decent and maybe the best we could attract, but sure there are alternatives. But if it was to be him, good luck to the man.
