... now we've lost Gooch. I'm just guessing here but I'd say people didn't fully realise what a legend Gooch was until he left, I didn't. Which set me off wondering who's going to be next to earn that accolade. Most of our squad haven't been here long enough for us to be able to pronounce their names properly let alone have any real bond with them. There are so many possibilities which, in my opinion, is a 360 degree turnaround from the days when I actually hated the majority of our players. Many of them were the kind of big name signings some still seem to pine for but this thread isn't a dig so enough about that. This a just a bit of fun while we're waiting for the games to start again. Of course this depends on players staying with us and, as we've seen with Stewart, modern football means things can change quickly. But, just out of interest, who can you see being up there with Rowell, Monty, Quinn et al. O'Nien looks like he's well on his way up the ladder while Rigg is taking his first steps. Ekwah has grabbed his chance to shine while some, like Seelt, haven't even had the chance to show what they can do and are replacing those who were becoming favourites. I'm going for Ballard, future captain, future International captain and future trophy winner with Sunderland.
Out of the current crop I can see Patterson staying with us for a while and pulling off some vital saves on route to the Premier league that'll have him fondly remembered
We've always had a good relationship with full backs at the club, Kay, Bolton and Gray being the standouts so I'll go for both Hume and Cirkin if they continue like they are doing
Dan Neil I hope, although I can see us losing him to the PL in a couple of years Trai Hume could be a good shout
Im not being negative here, but I think with the current model, and the calibre of players we are recruiting, they will be sold (some for massive fees) before they are here long enough to get to legend status. Contradicting myself here, but do they need to be here a certain length of time....I'm not sure? They will definately be in demand....they are that good. I would absolutely love to be wrong, and see this crop of players staying with us for years....only moved on when the club want to move them on. I'm loving watching this squad play, they are just totally fearless. I don't think I've looked forward to the next game coming round as I have last season and this. O'Nien is a good shout, lads got a massive heart and would run through brick walls for the cause...a bit like Gooch.
There’s a few contenders for this mind. Patto & Neil jump out as local lads, Rigg probably leaves too soon. Cirks is a definite shout, already signed the new deal and just really looks like he buzzes of playing here, big Dan absolutely similar once gets a season injury free we will adore him, lads a beast. might be a surprise though, someone like Dack who isn’t gonna be looking to fly the nest and could knit the whole thing together, and I expect Rusyn just by what we know of the Ukrainian people and their players, he will be able to play a bit and will graft his spuds off, we love that. Then there’s Trai, already adored by many for ‘the tackle (TM)’, Ekwah who is the potential best in show but just has so much personality with it, and the already cult hero LON. Jobe if he’s around long enough could be one of the best CM we’ve ever had. I mean ****ing hell 3 year ago this would have been a 4 word post. ‘None of these ****ers’
You'd assume so, but that's the mode innit? If Dan Neil keeps progressing then he will outgrow us like Henderson did. Hopefully he can get us up to the PL as per his wish when he turned down Burnley.
Neil looks to be like he’s gonna be a better player than Hendo, a more complete player. I don’t say this lightly. Took him a minute to step forward but this season he’s gone up about 3 levels he is making it look easy. The lad looks absolutely focused at all times and so composed. We knew it was in him, appears he does now too. He belongs there now.
He went under the radar a bit on Sat but I thought he was outstanding - he never stopped running or showing for the ball. Even in the last few mins when he looked absolutely cooked, he was making runs and demanding the ball. His game has definitely gone up a gear or 3 since last season.
A great question Smug and one that may have a lot of answers. what makes a club legend is it length of service or is it games played is it important goals is it character or a mixture of all of them. 1. Is Defoe a legend for that goal against the Mags 2. Is Sorensen a legend for that save against the Mags 3. Is Dariusz Kubicki a legend for his consecutive appearance record 4.Is Borini a legend for that memorable moment at Wembley 5. I Jordan Henderson a legend even though his achievements were with another club. I think you can see where I am coming from, out of all these kids we have at the moment I am sure some will surprise us and some will disappoint us. but legends tend to live long in the memory for achieving good things and for me I cant stop watching that Chris Rigg goal at the minute. Not saying he will achieve legendary status but still very memorable. Dan Neil has already played over 100 first team games and is only 21 so would guess that he could become a legend.
Luke O’Nien is the only player who I feel confident will still be here in 5 years time. Think he ends up as one of our all time legends. (I don’t mean this negatively - and I’m sure that some of our current players will be here in 5 years - it’s just impossible to know who)
Our crowd like a good tackle and there where a few on Saturday, Hume and Ekwah to name but two. Attitude like that gets the crowd off its seats as much as scoring a goal, and Ekwah does both in spades. I've singled out Ba in the past as having potential and at times on Saturday he was superb, these players are on long contracts ( if that means anything these days), so have to opportunity to get legend status so I'm hanging my hat on Ekwah, he's got the lot for me. As said before can we keep them here?
The turn around of players in football these days 5 years is a long time and I would be surprised if any of the current crop.are still here.
Didn't Reidy drop Kubicki before he could break the record? He claimed (claims) not to have realised but you read Lee Howey's book and it appears Dariusz wasn't very popular in the dressing room
Amad if he comes back and signs a permanent deal - then stays and gets us a trophy. Otherwise Patterson & Neil, local lads and if they become stalwarts in a successful SAFC. O9 possibly already a legend at the end of his contract, especially if he captains us to the PL. Bart
