Summer window

I agree it’s a risk and I’d like to keep him all things being equal.

I also agree with O’Nien and centre back which is worrying for me as I love him to bits and want him in our club but I can’t see him being anything but 4th choice in that position in 12 months time.

There are going to be some very painful decisions needing to be made, both with players we want to keep and ones who we outgrow but have an emotional attachment.

 

I love Gooch me like but it’s starting to feel like we’re going up a level which can’t be a bad thing but good people in football can be a premium

 

I guess my thinking is that 09 could step in as cover until we get Evans back otherwise I think Evans has to go in January or we have too many again. Like Gooch, 09 brings good vibes

 

Also if Speakman and Co think O’Nien can cover right back and centre back (even if we all think his best position is centre back), and they see Gooch as mainly a right back but who can also fill in on the wing occasionally (although I think he lacks the attacking qualities they want), then they might think “we don’t need Gooch AND O’Nien”.

I know there are 9 subs now but that actually makes having versatile players on the bench less important, not more important. The versatility is more important for starting games and also being able to flex during games. Having an experienced player that can play every position on the bench actually reduces the chance of youth coming on.

Not saying any of this is what I’d do, more I can see an argument for it. I can’t possibly say what I’d do because it depends entirely on what they expect to happen to Pritchard and Batth for example, in addition to how the player feels himself. He loves Sunderland but if he gets told he’s seen as third choice right back, will he want to stay or go and prove himself somewhere else. (Again this is an if - none of us know the discussions they’re having at the club)

 

Gooch is a good player, has been in the past and still a good player now.

 

I agree round pegs round holes square pegs square holes

 

If neil misses any length of time we will struggle as no1 can play his role at the minute. O9 is ok for the odd game but he doesnt receive on the half turn n struggles with his back to play, thats why he suits cb.

Another cm, gk n 2 forwards will do us and then we need to probably loan out or sell 5/6 players

 

I have absolutely no idea why so many people are treating Triantis and Seelt as locked-in first team players already. Both of them have only just turned 20 and never played a single game at a decent competitive level. They will need at least half a season (probably longer) to bed in and get used to the Championship, imo.

O'Nien is currently our fourth choice centre back. When you consider the injury records of Batth, Ballard and Alese, he will get plenty of gametime this season. No chance in hell I'd be letting him go. It seems the club's management agree with me as I've not heard a single rumour of him being him off, thankfully.

 

He seems to have cut out hanging on the ball for too long, or at least reduced the amount he does it. Was his main problem for me. I'd keep him this season and let him go then if we don't want to renew his deal.

 

I think you'll find Seelt played quite a bit in the Dutch 2nd division unlike Ekwah who turned out not to bad. We've got to trust the data and scouting to pick up gems like we've been doing

 

Any incomings or outgoings?

 

I think it'll start picking up once the USA tour is over.

 

When are they due back?

 

I think we'll get 4 more in. 2 before season kicks off, 2 before deadline day.

This is based on absolutely nothing.

 

Next Monday I think

 

I'm saying "if".

 

Nixon now saying Batth to Blackburn looking unlikely.

 

Business folk are all back in UK tho?

 

Nixon finally cottons on then.

 

Nathan Bishop on the bench against Lyon while Amad Starts