Summer window

The problem is that whilst the powers that be have no issue signing experienced players, they appear reluctant to pay a fee for them - Pritchard, Batth, Evans, Roberts, Dack - all came on free transfers. We seem to only pay a fee for young players (Clarke, Cirkin, Ballard etc) which leaves us scratching about for an experienced striker available on a free.......

 

Bingo

 

Agree with this. Just seen it as it's been quoted again.

 

The voice of reason.

 

Feels like the House of Cards is about to fall. If TM walks over a lack of signings (and that will essentially be 2 managers in 12 months to do the same) then the last remaining good will towards the club will seep away. Very important 3 weeks coming up

 

IMHO Mowbray isn't a journeyman manager any more, he has done his time travelling around the country for jobs.... He seems settled in the North East and things would have to be really bad for him to walk..... That said he comes across as a man of principal so if he did walk, things would have to be really bad...lets see what the near future holds, never boring at Sunderland is it.

 

Wow. Not so long ago everyone on here was saying what a great time it is to support the lads and recognising how far we've come under KLD. I'm not that fickle that my good will will disappear.

 

Most people trust the club and the model. But if we lose another manager for the want of a couple of signings then people will rightly question the club. You cannot build a promotion side with 18yo's from Spain who have never played senior football

 

You are 100% right, but things in football change at a very quick pace. Can you remember the feel good factor under Peter Reid...we were flying. The stadium was a place for other teams to fear. we were a couple of top draw signing away from a truly great team....The board either didn't want to or couldn't afford to supply....the decline after that was break neck speed. The time to invest in quality is when you're riding high..we never seem to grasp that nettle.

 

Just speaking of this fabled model, was chatting with a mate on the way out of the game. When KLD/KS first came in, we were sourcing players from the fringes of PL academies (Cirkin, Clarke, Ballard, Huggins) who weren't getting game time and could more or less hit the ground running at the club. This season we seem to have shifted further out by brining in even younger lads from foreign leagues who look (at first glance) as though they will need a few months to get up to speed. I wonder why this approach has changed - does the club feel it has a strong enough squad to "compete" and now has it's eyes firmly focused on the next 5 years? It's an interesting one for sure....

 

Same when we beat Everton 3-0 and BSA was in charge. Fast forward 3 months and Dr Doom is at the helm and everything fell away,

 

People need to remember where we were not that long a go. KLD came into a complete mess of a club. Is everything perfect atm, no. There is still much work to do, but we are on the right path.

 

Worked out well for Hansen that quote didnt it. Being young doesnt mean you have no experience. I look at players I think are nailed on first teamers and say they are experienced - Patterson, Cirkin, Ballard, Neil, Clarke, Roberts, Stewart. Then I look at likely squad lads and they are experienced - ONien, Baath, Dack, Pritchard, Evans, Gooch. Experience isnt the gap for me at all.

 

I don’t think it is tbf!
The team seem to really get along and I very much doubt they think the seasons ****ed because we’ve a few injuries and lost a game on pens and by a lucky goal.

 

You're right - I remember some arse throwing a can of beer at Reid in pre-season game. Some fans - what can you do?
Also right about time to strengthen. I reckon we'll get a young foreign player and a PL loan in before the widow shuts.

 

The approach may have altered slightly as they saw the way TM and his staff were able to engage with the young players and improve them?

 

I agree that we’re on the right path but basic things aren’t being done which is concerning.

I’m sure we’ll get there but it’ll be without Tony Mowbray imo.

 

Mowbray falling into the 'sign any ****er' camp. Wonder what his login is OTR?

 

Spot on mate. Football is an emotional game though and it’s frustrating to see good approach play let down by the lack of a striker / centre forward.

Wrenching myself out of the here and now emotion, a couple more games for Dack and he looks like he will be a great addition to our play in and around the box. Not a striker but a definite goal threat and a foil for the other forward players.

 

Christ, I don’t think we will ever forget where we were.

Just need to balance things a bit more, a more experienced striker who has already played at a similar level to Championship will compliment the kids. But that doesn’t mean sign any old journeyman who wants a final pay day.