Summer window

Quite exciting being linked with Rusyn and Aravena, both can play as a cf or wide. We could end up with a really fluid front 3 with them or a more 'traditional' front 3 with Hemir in the middle.

IF we got them both we certainly wouldn't be lacking forward options

 

Just need the cm sorted then we should be good to push on

 

I'd say get them 2 in and we will be pushing on regardless.

I understand people's points about a cm, but I still think a dynamic 3 suits us better, can't wait to see how we actually line up to see if that's just me thinking rubbish and we need a cdm or if what I hope is right.

 

The big question in this transfer model is are the fans going to be patient long enough to give it a real chance.
We've had a couple of good years since the new owner took over, Wembley appearances, promotion, play offs etc and we are unrecognizable to where we were 5 years ago.
Most fans get what's going on but there are some who want it now and fail to see the bigger picture and it's those voices that will be heard especially at home games if these kids fall short in their eyes.
Today will be a big test and if we come away with the points it could be massive as to how the season pans out, today is that important to me.
The roller coaster is set to start at 5 pm, hope we all enjoy the ride.

 

I’ve got no doubt we’d spend £8million if we thought was value.

That would be a player established in the UK at a good age with upside.

 

The majority of fans will absolutely be patient but as with all clubs there are some that will demand overnight success and expensive marquee signings. You just need to look at some of the comments on social media to see we have some of those fans.

I can’t wait to see where this new model takes us in a couple of years. (Or rather I can wait!)

 

That injury hasn't stopped us being declined twice with low offers though?

 

Yeh but we wouldn’t be “spending” 8m would we?
It depends how much we got for Lihadji. My understanding of the model is like this…

we buy player A for £500k
Sell him for say £3m and invest that £3m in player B
Sell player B for £7m and invest that in player C
and so on

So player C hasn’t cost us £7m - he’s cost £500k plus the wages along the way. I’ve simplified it but the theory is right

 

95% will. Just the loud 5% majority who will go mental if we lose this evening and demand a new regime

 

If I have any worry / impatience about not going up is that the loss and change of players represents a risk. I think the club are willing to gamble though and put cumulative growth first. It’s probably the right one.

 

But would a player of that values wage expectations fit our championship wage structure?

 

We def need another CM, need a defensive minded one as only really neil can play there. Ekwah would be ok in that role but he would need neil alongside him. 100% need a cdm type player, think TM has said that as well

 

Do we even know what that structure is?

And with the clubs current setup budgets would increase year on year in line with increased revenue.

People do exaggerate how much players get paid when they see top end players getting hundreds of thousands a week, there’ll be plenty in the PL on 20k or less (in face more of those than the ones over 100k)

What is clear is the owners want to grow the club and they know that will take foresight and investment. If they think a player is value at £8million and 15k a week, we will make that leap.

I doubt that would be this window mind, we need the short sponsor and kit deal increased that’s the next step and a massive one.

Is £8million a massive fee for Championship now? Probably not.

 

There was quite a bit of preemptive criticism of the club regarding the sale of Ballard, etc, and the failure to sign the players we need ...

... that seems to be dying down thankfully, so we can concentrate on the football.

One bonus of this 'model' is that managers don't sign a group of players who become 'his team'. The squad is a Sunderland squad and better for team spirit and continuity imo.

 

Definitely and you can even say the same with the coaching staff. When it comes time to recruit a new head coach you only looking to add a assistant to come in alongside him.

 

What the Ballard contract showed for me, is that we have no idea how the club moves in the background, and the supposed ‘model’ isn’t solely based on profiteering.

We will sell if it’s financially and footballing correct.

People won’t have it that the clubs in a great place and progressing. That’s their issue mate.

Majority of us can see that we are currently a reborn and utterly vibrant club that are going about the footballing business in a lovely, tidy and often understated way. It’s great to see, it will take time, there’ll be bumps, but it’s constantly forward as it stands.

 

As per, twitter having a meltdown over Batth possibly leaving

 

I agree we need another CM, its just the role / type I don't agree on, but as I have said depends on what your expectations of a cm is and how the person perceives the midfield alongside how the same person perceives the players we currently have

 

£8 million is a big fee for the championship without parachute money these days, but as I've said before if a player was available that the recruitment team believe tick all the boxes including being able to develop and potentially sell for profit if needed then I honestly believe they would go and get him.

 

It'd be a mistake to shift Batth like. They've talked about experience but then we'd be letting our most experienced defender go. Him and Ballard go well together.