11 April 2014 14:35 PHIL BARDSLEY and Jack Colback are set to leave Sunderland this summer, regardless of which division the Black Cats are in. Both Bardsley and Colback have been in contract negotiations with Sunderland for several months, with their current deals due to expire at the end of the season. But those contract talks have now ground to a complete standstill and the pair are now expected to depart on free transfers in the summer. Gus Poyet says it would not be fair on Sunderland supporters to re-start those contract talks even if the Black Cats beat the drop either after the duo have both turned down the chance to remain at the Stadium of Light. “Everybody knows we have been in contract talks with a couple of players, but at the moment everything is on standby,” said Poyet. “Everyone is responsible for their own decisions and I don’t think we are in a position to push people to do things they do not want to do. “I’m not stupid, I understand it brings uncertainty to the club for the future. “To be honest, it doesn’t matter where we finish - I cannot see them staying at the club. “It would be too easy to make a decision based on where we are (Premier League or Championship” because it would be very unfair on the fans.” Neither are any of the other six players whose contracts expire in the summer expected to remain at the club, with Bardsley and Colback the only two who have held any talks over a new deal. “We have only offered contracts to two of the eight out-of-contract players, and now those negotiations have both completely stopped,” added Poyet. Bardsley, who is on a lucrative deal at Sunderland, is understood to be a target for several Premier League clubs, including West Ham. The 28-year-old had been open to remaining at the club when contract talks began earlier this season - after Poyet had handed the former Manchester United man a route back into the first-team fold - but was holding out for a longer stay. Academy product Colback, meanwhile, also has several admirers, thought to include Fulham, Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton. Rivals Newcastle United are thought to have an interest in the Killingworth-born midfielder too, yet the Echo understands that Colback is not one of the Magpies’ main summer targets. Rumours of Colback already penning a pre-contract agreement with Newcastle - which were on social media earlier this week - are not thought to be true either. Colback would not be able to open talks with any other English clubs until reaching the final month of his Sunderland contract. --------------------- So with Celustka also leaving along with Dossena and probably Alonso, we will have no senior fullbacks at the club whatsoever. I hope poyet and our Scouts have no summer holidays planned!
Fullbacks at sunderland whatever next ,i can see a meltdown coming ,colback would be on my want list thats for sure
Neither am i to be honest, its abit of a sh!te situation to be in though needing to bring in 4 fullbacks.
Polishing my boots as we speak. I was a bloody good full back in my day in the Stockport District Sunday League. Struggle for breath at times now like so not sure I can fill Bardsley's boots although I do like a good night in the casino!
This, wanted Jack to stay as a new contract would be cheaper than the others and to save on too many wholesale changes. But I'm just not that bothered now he's unlikely to sign.
my day in the Stockport District Sunday League. Struggle for breath at times now yeh I was a member of the Middlesbrough swingers society in the 1970s
As much as i like Jack, he doesnt create much or tackle and he averages less than 5 goals a season, so I wont be losing any sleep over him.
All leaves 'footballers'leaving are akin to when I flush away a ****. It's the right thing, and it's natural, and I don't think about it. We are flushing turds.
Couldn't care less any more. Rather we got some hungry younger players in who want the chance to play at a good club with good fans in a good stadium, rather than the cast-offs and last payday merchants we've been suffering with.
Just need to get O'Shea out the door somehow and we will be starting to get somewhere. Bardo might be a trier but he is a limited footballer and is woeful off the ball. The amount of goals we've conceded over the years because of him being out of position or unaware of a run is unreal. Shame(ish) about Colback. Just mismanaged by the club from a financial perspective. Colback should either be in our squad or we should have made £4m+ from him in a sale. SAFC pissing money away again.
When was the last time we had aa maher build a team? Dennis Smith? Peter Reid? Roy Keane bought anybody, Steve Bruce continued that trend, I think he signed around 6 midfielders in one summer but no full backs or forwards. Mon attempted to bring in the odd quality player but the base was not there then he imploded in January Paolo and de fanti complete disaster and Gus hasn't looked much better. It is start again time. Not sure we will bounce straight back. Short has to get this right, we cannot continue to buy between 10 and 20 players a summer!!!
I'll be sad to see bardsley leave, regardless of what others say, he has always worked hard and gave everything he has when playing, pops up with some crucial goals at times too. I will miss him
