Rumours around the North East that Sunderland are getting Huddlestone plus cash for Sessegnon Good Deal or Bad Deal?
I don't know much about Sessegnon (ie. his role in midfield), but I know that Thudd is probably the only player we have right now capable of filling in for Modric, besides, he scores goals. Even if Sessegnon is a better player, we have plenty of quality midfielders, and I'd rather keep Thudd for the home grown quota anyway.
Sorry mate, Hudd could not do half what Luka does, and where do you get the idea Hudd scores more goals??? he's got 8 in 6yrs! I'm not surprised if Hudd went, his mobility, work rate and tackling ability is not surprisingly up to AVB's midfield ideas...nor mine. Stroking passes around just isn't enough, ok for a 'best of he rest' side, but no more. Notice how its a club like Sunderland interested, no other top 5 club would or will bid for him. Liverpool might!
If Huddlestone were to leave, then we'd need to bring in two creative midfielders, which seems like something of a tall order at the moment. This Sunderland rumour sprung up a while ago, then disappeared again, just as the Sessegnon move to us did, so I'll wait til something a little more substantial comes along, I think.
Sorry, I meant he gets into direct attacks more, as opposed to scoring. Luka is a pass-leading-to-a-pass-leading-to-an-assist type player, Thudds more of a directly attack the goal style player. And as for doing what Luka does, again I mislead the reader, I meant it more in the sense that he could play alongside the defensive midfielder, where Luka plays, as opposed to the other midfield position.
TSY - Aah see what you mean now, I just don't think Hudd is going to fit the systems AVB wants to use, and I think we're all just going to have to go with it for now. I think there might be one or two more unpopular casualties. Not saying Hudds a terrible player at all, he's 2nd to none with that technique of his, but I can't see him for us in a 3 man mid, yes he can pass and keep the ball, but he can't burst through and past players like Mod does, nor is the defensive side of his game good enough to take the main DM role. Whoever we have in must do both. Without being harsh, a poor mans Alonso perhaps.
I think he'll be a useful player to have when the chips go down, although I think if he see's the opportunity to get some first team matches again, he'll definitely consider it. But I think we may need to retain him for the home grown purpose unless we're not going to be loaning out Naughton. I can only think of 7 players off the top of my head who qualify. Lennon Bale Defoe Parker Dawson Rose Walker Naughton - Loan Out. Thudd? Jenas Bentley King Retiring?
Good point on the HG requirement. I should add that my comments are based on the top games in the PL, I think he'd be ok in the cups and Europe, the slower pace suiting him in the latter.
I'm not sure what to think about THudd. He was a massive player for us the season that we finished 4th (wasn't Moddy out for most of that season?), but before that, he seemed to have more bad games than good. I wouldn't want us to get rid of him simply for the sheer hell of it, but if we have our clutches on a marque creative midfielder to replace both THudd and Moddy, I cannot honestly say that I'd cry too loudly.
HIAG Notwithstanding the injuries he's had since he joined, he has flattered to deceive very often. When he is on he very good,but as you say not often enough.
Lovely lad Hudd, has an eye for a pass and scores the odd cracker, but he is nowhere near mobile enough for where we we are now, also somewhat perversely, considering the disparity in size (and the fact that TH actually played a fair few games at CB for Derby,) Luka actually gets his foot more than Hudd and will chase any ball he loses. He also appears to have missed the boat for England too and may need to go somewhere where he is first choice to relaunch his career.
Can't see it. Tommy seems happy with us and another forward who play off the striker is not what we need.
Think we should keep him. We will be using 3 types of midfielder: One attacking - Gylfi/VDV One for ball retention - VDV/Thud/Carrol One for defensive - Sandro/Parker/Livermore In games where we need more of an attacking threat the ball retention will be replaced with a burst of pace ie a ramires type - Pienaar/Gylfi or at a long shot jenas We can't just ditch people without a thought of how it afects team spirit. Thud has been with us a while and if we are losing modders, and ledders then i think we should think about how people are replaced. especially the english contingent. However, if it means more opertunities for Livermore and Carrol then it might not be so bad.
Thudd is a class act in his own way, but I seriously cannot see him being a first name on the PL team sheet in the coming season. So I guess it will come down to whether he would be happy to stay as a bench warmer, with a few cup games thrown in. Sessegnon is a quality player who we probably should have picked up from France 18 months ago. But I don't think he - or Sunderland - have actually identified where he performs best. At 5' 7" he's not the biggest, and has a 1 in 4 goal ratio. Strong with left or right foot though, so could potentially play behind Ade ( or whoever) if we lost VDV. Depends on what the deal would be, but if a straight swap then I think we would be getting the best of it.
This is just lazy speculation as Sessegnon is at an age in which he should be at a bigger club (if his performances of last season are to go by) but then you ask yourself, why has it taken him so long to become noticed by bigger clubs. He is a good player but not what we need.
