Summer window

What a mental statement that is. If its so easy why don’t PSG win everything every year? Why have Man Utd won barely anything in the last decade since Ferguson left despite spending more than anyone? There’s a reason Pep is trusted with these clubs and its because he delivers success. Why on earth should he go and coach a lesser team just to prove himself? He’s top 5 of all time.

 

There’s absolutely no question about his ability and adaptability though.

This season is a prime example, changes the whole team shape and setup after 6-8 games to feed off Haaland strengths and wins a treble.

A lot of managers have shanked these kinda jobs. Look how Bayern have struggled to replace him with any level of comfort.

Mancini & Pellegrini both won things but laboured for it, players improve under Pep, nobody flatlines.

He’s also utterly ruthless like we have seen with Cancelo, Sterling and are seeing now with Walker.

I agree when folk say he’s brilliant, and I doubted him when he hit PL and had tough first season.

He seen the issue straight away and added more English to the squad and pace, and they soared. He’s a don.

 

You seen interviews with people like Henry who talk about Pep being so far ahead of other coaches he'd worked with?

Or read stuff like this? Yes Pep was fast tracked to one of the biggest jobs in football, but he also did it before then:
https://www.skysports.com/football/...ictory-with-barcelona-b-should-not-be-ignored

The man is a genius and he's literally transformed how a lot of teams play, not just his own.

 

It can’t be just me who realises how daft that sounds

 

Which part

 

The last paragraph

 

Can I just say thought this was about SAFC summer window or am I wrang

 

No you are definitely one gary owers

 

Wait lll check my jumper for the name (me mam sows it into it )

 

You might find Gary Wrang stitched in there

 

Ross Stewart contract and injury recovery update issued by Sunderland's Sporting Director
Sunderland's Sporting Director has given an injury and contract update on striker Ross Stewart

Kristjaan Speakman says that he remains 'really optimistic' that Sunderland can reach an agreement over a new long-term contract for Ross Stewart as the Scot closes in on a return to fitness.

Stewart has not played for Sunderland since suffering a major achilles injury in the FA Cup third round tie at Fulham, and is now entering the final year of the contract he signed to make the switch from Ross County in January 2021.

The Scot has been a huge success on Wearside, and managed 11 goals in just 17 appearances during an injury-hit campaign last time out.

Speaking at the Foundation of Light's fixture release breakfast on Thursday morning, Speakman confirmed the 26-year-old is making good progress in his recovery but is unlikely to be fully fit for the beginning of the Championship campaign. Sunderland will face Ipswich Town at the Stadium of Light on Sunday August 6th, live on Sky Sports.

Stewart has been working hard at the Academy of Light over the summer in a bid to get back to fitness, but he still has a little way to go as his teammates begin pre-season training on Monday.

"Ross won’t be [fully fit] at the front end of the pre-season period, it’s more likely to be in the middle or towards the end.

"I wouldn’t want to give out false information to anyone and we'll have to see [how he progresses] but that means we would doubt whether he will be ready to start the season.

"All the injured players have been working really hard during the summer with the medical staff."

Sunderland had been in dialogue with Stewart over a new deal for some time before his injury in January, and the Sporting Director said that those talks will continue.

The Black Cats have announced new deals for Trai Hume and Dennis Cirkin this summer, and remain hopeful that Stewart will follow at some stage in the weeks and months ahead.

Speakman has suggested that Stewart's recovery is likely to come first, as he looks to replicate his excellent goalscoring form across the last two seasons.

"I’ve said all along that it has to work for both sides, and that doesn’t mean there is any negativity on either side. As a player you’ve got to be comfortable with your deal and as a club you’ve got to manage everything from your side with budgets etc.

"Hopefully we can find a conclusion, and Ross getting fit is obviously going to be a key factor in that."

Sunderland are expected to remain in the market for more depth last month, after signing Hemir from Benfica B in a seven-figure deal.

"It’s just an ongoing conversation," Speakman said, speaking to supporters at the Beacon of Light.

"We’ve been working really, really hard with the squad, we had a good conversation with Trai Hume and we managed to get that concluded.

"We had an equally long with Dennis Cirkin and we’ve just managed to get that concluded, so I’m really optimistic that we can try to tick off some of these additional ones on the to-do list.

"I’ve said all along that it has to work for both sides, and that doesn’t mean there is any negativity on either side. As a player you’ve got to be comfortable with your deal and as a club you’ve got to manage everything from your side with budgets etc.

"Hopefully we can find a conclusion, and Ross getting fit is obviously going to be a key factor in that."

Sunderland are expected to remain in the market for more depth last month, after signing Hemir from Benfica B in a seven-figure deal.


Ross Stewart contract and injury recovery update issued by Sunderland's Sporting Director | Sunderland Echo

 

Psg have won the French title 5 out of 6. Man utd haven't spent more than anyone. Their cup final squad was worth 200m less than City's. Utd have been chasing city and making expensive mistakes year after year. Poor owners who haven't a clue.
He's a good manager, good coach but let's not kid ourselves on that City's success is all down to him. Its the same with Howe at the Mags. More money and power than everyone else. I despise everything City stand for

 

Speakman mentioning a strategic pause in the transfer window this morning at the fixtures breakfast as per echo article as we want to assess the squad before making more decisions.

Surely we don't need to assess anything to realise we NEED a 3rd striker and in no way can we gamble with 2 again...

 

Speakman said at the fixtures breakfast this morning that he's still really optimistic that Stewart will sign a new deal once he's back fit.

But he also said Stewart won't be fit for start of pre-season - will be somewhere in the middle or towards the end, with a hint that he might therefore miss a bit of the start of the season.

 

The key statement there is "Hopefully we can find a conclusion, and Ross getting fit is obviously going to be a key factor in that."

Sounds like the club is protecting itself by not handing out what id assume will be a top earner contract till it knows how he's shaping up

Wouldn't invest in a mortgage on a house that was falling apart id suppose - would love him to sign a new deal and believe he's a justified top earner so lets hope he gets fit and gets a new deal

 

Don't think its a case of not knowing we want another striker. Its about waiting to see whats available and how much we can spend.

If we end up selling Clarke as his valuation is met, it probably opens up a whole world of extra options for us.

Its good to move early, but you don't want to blow your entire load too early on and miss a golden opportunity later as a result. They're finding a really good balance to that IMO

 

Arsenal have outspent City net almost 3-1 over last 5-6 years.

 

Not reading to much into this mornings comments, if there's a pause there is a pause, business looks great so far and plenty of time left for others to come

 

Wait and see what PL loan options open up as well.

 

Cocks out if Ross signs a new deal like.