Quinn on Summer Spending

Taken from todays Echo, an interesting read by SNQ, looks like a busy summer in the transfer market.

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NIALL Quinn admits Sunderland need to embark on a significant recruitment drive this summer after seeing Steve Bruce’s side reduced to its bare bones in the second half of the season.

Before Christmas, Quinn had been expecting to sign a select few in the close season rather than the radical reshaping which has taken place every year since he became Sunderland chairman.

But the injuries which have ravaged Sunderland over the last four months have emphasised that Black Cats boss Bruce needs more depth to a squad which will be further depleted in the summer.

Although Sunderland have virtually secured a permanent deal for Ahmed Elmohamady, the futures of his four fellow loanees – Nedum Onuoha, Danny Welbeck, Sulley Muntari and John Mensah – remain uncertain.

With Sunderland also yet to replace the departed Darren Bent, suffering a new long-term injury to Fraizer Campbell and expected to offload flops Marcos Angeleri and Cristian Riveros, Bruce’s options will be down to the bare bones.

But chairman Quinn insists the Black Cats will ensure any new recruits can handle the weight of expectation at the Stadium of Light.

Quinn said: “We know we were short this year. The manager wasn’t given the fairest hand to deal with in relation to some.

“The example I give is Stoke, who are near enough to us in the league and have had a better FA Cup run than us. Stoke have six top-class centre-forwards to choose from.

“We have to do a lot of things and there is a lot of hard work to do this summer. But it’s not going to be willy, nilly signing players, they need to buy into the toughness of being a Sunderland player.

“Buying that sort of person – who buys into it and won’t shirk responsibility – that is vital. We need people who will join into the team spirit we have here which, at times, has been a big strength we’ve got.

“It’s an ongoing exercise and it’s something we’re all up for.”

Last weekend’s victory over Wigan has at least given Quinn the chance to refocus his attention on recruitment rather than worrying about the threat of relegation.

He added: “I’m sleeping better now. I’m in a better mood after the weekend. I’ve had a bit of sleep the last couple of nights.

“We needed that – we needed the win. In truth, once the confidence came back, you could see we have a decent team.

“When the confidence was drained over the last couple of months it took something exceptional to get us out of it but when it comes back, people realise we’re not bad.

“People who watched the game realise it’s a confidence thing with us – when we get going we look great, When we’re under pressure it eats at us a little bit.

“People stepped up to the plate on Saturday. (Stephane) Sessegnon was magnificent. We know what a good player he is – people saw glimpses of it, but when you’re in a losing run it’s hard because people get side-tracked by results and how the team is playing."

 

Could be a busy summer

 

All good stuff but one niggle, this right type of player thing, we hear that every transfer window, when do you think we will do it?

 

I hope it is this summer mate

 

I love the way they assume SAFC will be shipping out Angeleri and Riveros. I'll be absolutely astonished if those two haven't got written transfer requests in now, after the chances we've given them. And I should forget about signing any new South Americans. Once those two put the word round about Sunderland, we won't have any choice.

 

I'm sure they had every chance to shine on the training ground, they blew it I assume.

 

I wonder which of our loanees we will end up retaining.

I'd like to see us keep hold of Nedum and Welbeck Not bothered about the rest of them

 

loanees, just ned and elmo for me...

 

Looks like the deal is almost done on Elmo, Ned would be good as would Wellbeck and i still think Muntari has a lot to offer when fully fit.

 

Going to be a busy summer can see around 10players leaving and maybe 6 or 7 new faces arriving maybe more

As for the loan players currently at the club I would sign up Nedum, Elmo and Muntari. I know Muntari has not reay shown his best in the red and white shirt but the lad is not a bad player he just needs to get fit. I would also play him out left like he does for Ghana or left of a midfield three. Welbeck won't be signing and time to let Mensah go

 

agree 100% poolie, well said m8

 

10 players to leave? I take it that includes loan players, cos that's a lot of players to shift Poolie. I'd be interested to know who you think will be shown the door. Here are the ones that I think may be on the hit list.

Mensah - Too many injuries
Riveros - Not given a chance to prove himself
Angeleri - Another not given a chance
Onuoha - Back to Citeh (would have him sign permanently)
Muntari - Back to Inter (would have him sign permanently)
Welbeck - Back to Utd (would have him sign permanently)
Anton Ferdinand (would keep as back up)
Zenden - Too old and too slow

I can only think of 8 players who may go. Of these 8 I would only be happy to see Mensah and Zenden go. We need some depth to the squad, we are not going to achieve that by letting too many players go.