Like with 23_Carra_Gold, I agree with all but Johnson. He can't be that bad considering we all think our first choice defense is brilliant. IMO, Johnson can tackle, he is good (not brilliant, but good) in the air and rarely gets beaten. The only thing that bugs me is he stands off his man allowing them to get a cross in. Worth noting that I think Henderson and Spearing are good players that should be kept as part of the squad. Spearing has the heart and determination to stay and fight so he is an excellent option that would help the squad depth. Henderson is like Kuyt and Lucas from a few years ago - he has the heart, energy and skill but needs to learn to use it in the right way. He is being played out of position and needs to win the fans over too. IMO, he is still young and will get better. in two years time, I think we will be looking at him in a similar way to we look at Kuyt and Lucas now.
Your manager is past it and has bought very average players is the answer. As a Sunderland supporter I really liked Henderson when he was with us although he really went off the boil after his England cap. Was he good enough for a team with Champion League ambition, no way, he is a good mid table team player who on occasion could lift his game to brilliance but only once in a while, I really could not believe the Man Utd interest and was shocked at the eventual price we got........as for Carroll I really don't understand why he has gone so bad unless it's the system as he was tearing teams a new one including us before you bought him.
Of course he has potential to improve, he is still playing for a team in the top 8 after all but I just don't think he is going to progress to Champions League potential. He has the physical attributes just don't know if he has the football brain to make that step up.
