https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...plains-change-sunderlands-search-new-forward/ SUNDERLAND are still determined to land a new forward in the final week of the transfer window – but Regis Le Bris does not feel the club necessarily need a new ‘number nine’.… Le Bris concedes the Black Cats need to sign someone this month if they are not going to leave themselves short in the final third. But, increasingly, he has veered away from wanting a natural ‘number nine’ and become much keener on landing a versatile attacker who could fill a number of different roles. “For sure, this is clear now,” said Le Bris, ahead of this afternoon’s home game with Plymouth Argyle. “We probably still need some more vertical threats, players who could run in behind. “This could be a striker, but also a winger, maybe a versatile player. So, this is still very much in our mind, but we will see what comes in these next weeks. But it is not necessarily about a number nine.” Mayenda’s improvement in the last few months has helped modify Le Bris’ thinking, with the Spaniard having begun to look increasingly comfortable, especially when paired with Isidor as part of a front two. In the early stages of his Sunderland career, the teenager struggled to adapt to life in the Championship, with some observers criticising his body language and accusing him of a perceived lack of passion. Le Bris understands why such judgements were made, but insists they were always unfair. When he works with Mayenda, he sees a youngster who is desperate to improve and impress, and the more his confidence has grown, the more he has been able to express himself on the pitch in the first-team environment. “He (Mayenda) is in a good place,” said Le Bris. “He struggled sometimes, and that was probably a part of his learning curve. It can be high, it can low, but his behaviour out on the pitch was always positive. “Sometimes, his body language can suggest that he is not really involved, but it is really the opposite. It is probably just the way he is, maybe it is something he does to try to protect himself. “But he really wants to improve and, when he struggles, he doesn’t like that. I think, now, he deserves to be at that level (in the starting team), and he will be very important for us because he helps out of possession, he helps in possession, and he scores goals. We like this type of player in the team.”
Sheff Utd were honking last night but they do have a lot of first team players out injured. Dont think Cannon can be blamed too much he got nout in terms of service the midfield was really poor. Hopefully they drop a few more points before they’re back to full strength!
Walks into any team in the league btw.. not a single club would refuse him. Leeds would take him as their 9 as would Burnley.. Sheff Utd would have him behind the striker over O’hare. Not sure who you’re expecting but Akpom signing could be of a similar ilk to Le Fee.
Linked to Semih Kilicsoy last night loan with €16m option or if we're promoted an obligation of €20m. 19 year old Turkish international at Besiktas, plays best off the left but can play as a 9 or on the right, very technically gifted, rapid, physically strong and a great football brain. Will probably end up at a top club in a few years.
Akpom isn't signing for us to sit on the bench like. If he comes, I think we'll be playing a front 2 more often with Akpom dropping in behind Isidor.
I don't think it was a credible link. The lad has been linked with Villa in this window. We're not in that market yet.
Probably right, I think Le Fee has distorted what we're capable of doing a little bit, but It suggests we may have him shortlisted which shows the ambition of the club.
He's the kind of player that will be on the next level of "the model". The type of signings we'll be looking for if we achieve promotion. I would imagine we already have players scouted for that potential outcome.
Hard to keep playing 442 once we get Watson and mundle back. Would mean we have browne le fee jobe neil rigg all for the CM spots (great problem to have tho) I dont think anyone coming in is guaranteed to be starting, we want players with the ability to come in and start if needed tho Great problems to have
I think if Akpom comes in he plays wide tbh. We can’t really afford to play with a 10 because Neil or Jobe to drop out for that to happen.
