No one is actively trying to sell Stewart. That includes Speakman. It was more about his model and plan that will likely see him go. Appreciate I didn't word it the best.
Those that actually understand the game appreciate what an important player Alex Pritchard is for us. The link up he has with Stewart was a major reason we were promoted as they both get the best out of each other. Pritchard is a popular one for the twisty gits, but so often is the man before the assist if hes not scoring or creating himself.
Aye that's it like. He must create so many actual assists. Had a presence of Mcgeady IMO. Gets the fury when others are not doing what's expected. High expectations etc. Speaks well too, defo a coaching career to follow.
A lot of people these days soley look at stats and stats only, his movement and work rate is excellent has an excellent football brain
Ah ok, I agree on that's the model. Don't think we will sell him January, not the best of windows to find a replacement
All ifs and buts But if AP is unwilling to sign terms within our structure and we get offered 3m I'd take it. It all fits with our model i.e he has been a positive in the pitch, he has cost us nothing but wages, we've been offered a overall profit on him, he's approaching 30. I know it's not that simple but all those points go towards him leaving. So, as long as it's on our terms I'm ok with it.
The positive I take out of this, is the fact RS contract extensions not been activated yet. If he was definitely away we'd have activated it by now, to protect ourselves, and maximise how much we'd get.
Like the comments from Mogga... Tony Mowbray says Sunderland could be willing to listen to loan offers for some of their fringe players in January - provided it does not leave his squad overstretched. Players such as midfielder Jay Matete, and defenders Niall Huggins and Trai Hume, have been on the periphery in the first half of the Championship campaign, making only four starts between them and sometimes finding themselves even absent from the bench. And that leaves Mowbray needing to strike a balance between the need to keep them on Wearside in case injuries and suspensions begin to bite, or letting them leave on loan in order to play games. "It's not a case of me needing to get them out [on loan], it's about their frustration levels," said Mowbray. "I was a footballer and I used to get frustrated if I wasn't playing, if I wasn't picked. Footballers want to play - they should want to play!
Just thinking about loans and players being recalled. Patto must think about the covid outbreak and the fact he grabbed his chance with both hands. Last January he was temporarily recalled to see us through covid and a year later and he is our number 1 in the championship and being capable for that level. There are areas for improvement but he is young and has come on so much in the last 12 months!
Makes sense to get some of these lads out on loan for their development. Getting Hume and Huggins half a season of football under their belt would be beneficial for us longer term. I think we can utilize Gooch, O'Nien, Cirkin and Alese as full back options for the rest of the season. I think Matete should be starting games at this point, never mind being on the bench more. I think he offers a side to the game which Neil, Ba and Michut can't offer. That being said, if we're not going to play him anyway, then 20 games starting at the top half of league one, might give him the consistency to compete more for us next season. We need to take a long term view on these players, they're assets.
