Some of the hierarchy want Defoe others I believe have reservations. Yesterday, I believed the deal was a No.
Guess we know how Football insider get so much stuff on us... they even knew the exact announcement time
....which is why I have guessed that KLD will have the final say in this. LJ will just have to suck up all his anxieties on this matter, and crack on with his job...
He's available for tomorrow https://safc.com/news/team-news/2022/january/patrick-roberts-signs-for-sunderland
I personally think people over estimate his affection and loyalty to us. I think the lad is great and I think he is fond of the club but I also think his main priority is looking after himself (which is absolutely his prerogative) and he's very good at taking care of his brand. He did well to come out of our relegation season and to leave fairly swiftly with his reputation with the fans in tact. If he had a chance to score the winner for Oxford in the last minute of the play off final against us he wouldn't even flicker (though he'd probably say some nice things after). That's not meant to be an attack on Defoe, 99.9% of non SAFC fans and professional footballers would be the same.
I'm fairly sure they're Speakman's go to publication. Or maybe even KLD's. It's since they've been involved that they've had a host of very accurate exclusives including the appointment of Speakman himself and Johnson.
What a signing Roberts is. Brilliant by the club. He fits the bill perfectly. Will bring balance to our left hand side, has brilliant vision, beats men for fun, delivery is good and scores goals. Him and Cirkin will terrorise teams. Cant wait to see the lad play.
And I was wondering why City allowed us to have him permanently. This is absolutely genius business from us. He'd have been inundated with offers in the summer.
RTG - OMG we should definitely sign Defoe - he will hit the ground running Also RTG - it will take Roberts ages to get up to speed.
Getting him in with option to extend is great business. We really are doing some top business. I was ecstatic when we got Pritchard, Roberts on a par for me in terms of excitememt and potential.
