Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Luton Town FC – Saturday 13th May 2023 - KO 17:30

Just posted this on the another thread:

Not sure how true it is as it was cause it was undisclosed fee officially, but some sites said at the time he was free with a sell on clause of 25% and some fees to be paid if he hit certain targets!

**** me we do excellent business these days. We used to be held to ransom on signings in both fee and wages. Now we look at fees and think how the **** did they negotiate that! Cirkin is the only deal where we can think **** that might bite us but it was still great business as it allowed us to get him here!

 

didn’t train much in the week as well I’d guess tho

 

Didn't look his usual self but he done well considering he is playing completely out of position.

The sliding tackle made up for it

 

Not for one second saying it’s ideal - but if Pritchard or Roberts have to miss the second leg and Michut needs to come in, then Ekwah has experience at centre back for West Ham academy.

Im always loathe to mess around with positions of players doing well, but that could be an option to get Michut in if Tony doesn’t think Anderson is ready.

Other option would be Hume goes to right back, Anderson in at centre back alongside O’Nien , gooch at left back and then Neil with Ekwah ; Clarke, Amad and either Michut or Ba behind Gelhardt. This latter option is my preferred.

but hopefully Roberts and Pritchard are fit

 

It would be harsh to break up Neil and Ekwah in the centre of midfield. They are some partnership and has my son said this morning, potential the best in the league given more game time.

 

Only as old as the woman I feel mate… she’s 10 years younger than me… and WAAAY out of my league

 

That through pass to Gelhardt in the Preston game was Iniesta like! Didn’t even have to break stride

massive player fir us next season wherever we are

 

Cracking day yesterday and great to have a pint with Smug and his family. I’m suffering today mind.

 

You must be loaded mate or you've got really big feet

 

I know we have had loads of injuries to "key" players and if they were fit who would you put back in immediately and who would you leave out to make way for them. We have missed Stewart and Evans for quite a while now but I dont think we are missing Evans as much as I thought we would.
Any player who was dropped could deffo count themselves unlucky.
Every single one who has came in has done a job as far as I am concerned.

 

Stupid really but I’d be tempted to leave it as is it can’t be luck when we’re getting results and performing week in week out

 

As it happens so would I.

 

I don’t think I have ever seen improvement at the rate of Ekwah in any player we have had.

He looked a little clumsy, and slow to react, although you could see a player.

Those are the 2 main things he seems sharpest at now. He was game as a badger when they wanted to put it about physically as well he’d been improving in strides anyway but yesterday for me was a leap, he was insane good.

Put that with Trai over the season, with Dan Neil finding his feet. Michut. The way we are growing players is phenomenal.

You could even chuck some of the older players in their LON continually improving still, Roberts getting consistency.

The training park graft must be another level at the minute.

How do we pick 11 when all fit right now, assuming all are retained?

 

I'm sure I've read the intensity in training is so much higher now.

 

I think injuries has probably helped TM out. I know that may sound stupid but how would he have kept 25/33 fit players happy?

 

Real balancing act at the minute. We could do with some height at the back if maybe Ballard or Alese was fit but does that sacrifice bodies in midfield. Thought the key thing yesterday was how we just swarmed around them and rattled them in midfield stopped any kind of service to the front men Real balancing act for TM

 

Yeah. Punching. Sorry.

 

I didnt want to be the 1st to say it .

 

I think they’re the best in the league next season already if we don’t go up. Depending on who the relegated sides keep of course because Ward-Prowse and Lavia are tasty enough

 

No need to apologise. I am well aware that I’m punching!! When I put the pictures up I am bragging!! So I thank you for saying it, rather than being offended!!