Some interesting stats so far this season, O'Nien is eleventh in the squad for fouls per game and out of our players who've played more than a handful of minutes he's got our highest passing accuracy. Doubt many would have predicted that. Dan Neil is third in tackles per game while maintaining his high quality passing so fair play to him that's what I was hoping he'd add to his game. Clarke is second in tackles so well done to him too, Evans first.
me neither mate. I was 99.9% certain he wouldn't last night. then this morning his odds have moved odds on and the club have started leaking transfer news, and our press conference has been pushed back from 9am to 2pm. I'm being sceptical as hell, I know that, but that's just a tad unsettling. I'm still at 80% certain he won't leave. And I have no idea why he would - think he'd be mental. But if you look at the situation coldly and rationally - those series of events this morning COULD point in a way we dont want them to. or they could point in a much more positive way, if the delay is so they can sort out a new contract for him today
sounds like the press officer has explicitly said its with Alex Neil and he's just reporting that based on all the rumour
That’s my view, @Prehab26 said yesterday unless we implode he’s going nowhere, hoping this is down to him meeting new players/we’ve decided to offer him a more secure deal
Their owners are the richest in the division iirc. So if they promise him serious backing who knows what could happen, but I just don’t see it. Their owners also pay themselves quite heavily from what 365 rakes in, I’m 99% sure I remember reading an article about the wifey being the highest paid person in the UK with something absurd like £300m in the tax year. They’ve not spent any money on transfer fees for years. All frees and loans this window again.
Alex Neil's odds being so low to go to Stoke will be caused by somebody somewhere briefing its likely. My hope is that its his agent, putting pressure on us to commit to a longer term deal. as obviously he gets a payout for that. frankly if it works then thank you agent man
I read an article somewhere where the board or owners at stoke said they needed to make cuts and were struggling to meet FFP. I am sure that it stated it was this season when their problems would land. My memory might be playing tricks on me of course, but I had them down as a club with financial limitations.
Wouldn’t surprise me, they’ve barely spent a penny on transfer fees for the last 5 years at least. It could also just be Alex Neil getting the permanent contract he wants here..
I will say it out loud. If Alex Neil goes to Stoke (which I dont believe is likely at all) then Dyche would be a step up in my opinion. All about levels. Bottom line is right now we are very attractive to managers, and I reckon Alex knows which side the butter is on, but if not...
Maybe the meeting AN was in, was for a new long term contract... Just playing Devil's Advocate to the concerns about Stoke.
Not sure Dyce would fit into the business model SAFC currently have...he comes across like an old style Manager who has total control
I’d rather have Neil than Dyche to be honest. If Neil does to I hope they take a chance and go for a manager that’s got his teams playing good football on his CV. Don’t get me wrong I really like Dyche and he’s done a quality job with huge limitations at Burnley but I don’t want to watch Sunderland turn into a team that barely has the ball and plays off set pieces.
Has he said he wants a permanent contract here. Has it been said, any where that he does, Never seen anything stating that he does either. No saying you are wrong, just asking the question as u said he wants one
He’s a 41 year old bloke, why would he not want job security and a contract that would have to be paid off should he be sacked? It’s a no brainer.
This report from early last year suggests they're not in great shape financially. https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/spo...news/stoke-city-accounts-ffp-breaking-6918921 The sale and leaseback arrangement on the ground and training ground is a surefire indicator of a club in trouble if you ask me. We must be a more attractive option for any manager.
