As a non-Sunderland fan. He looks great when on form but question how much he offers the team when not on form (which seems more common). For me the difference between a world class player and a championship player is a) how consistently they can perform at their best and b) how bad their worst is. He looks a good squad player, a solid option when required but nothing to lose sleep over. Certainly worth a contract if the lad is sensible in his demands. If not then he's not a world-beater for me.
Roy Keane summed up "potential" by saying that everyone has it, developing it into something tangible is the measure to judge it by. Wickham has had potential for years, how long does he want?
He has an offer from the club, take it or leave it son...... If he performed regular like he did at the end of last season, we would be mad not to tie him down on a lucrative deal, but I don't see enough to justify that right now.
I just don't see what some others do. I hope he goes, but worry about replacements for him. Wickham should think himself lucky that he is playing, and he only does so cos Altidore is so ****e.
He was poor yesterday, let down by his first touch too often, but he is playing out of position and he is not as good as Fletch at the moment, with what we have available I would play Fletch just behind Whicks for now, and fit both Catts and Bridcutt into defensive midfield roles. This would give us a shape on which to build a more attacking team imo.
I thought he was shocking yesterday and has been bar a few minutes here and there all season. His touch yesterday was shocking. One moment summed him up yesterday he took the ball down brilliantly then headed it over his marker then kicked it back over him! I was like wow, then he just aimlessly kicked it in the middle to nobody and they where on the break. Not good enough imo.
We must know what we'd be due in compo so unless somone came in with alot more in january then id stand firm on the offer. I think Poyet has been quite smart giving him games whilst Giacch and Alvarez have been out.
I'd imagine his stats for keeping possession were high but I may be wrong. Sometimes being at the game you pick things up better, sometimes less. He held the ball up multiple times on a wet day under pressure in tight areas. I thought he did a difficult job well. I wish he'd drive at defenders more, the way he did in the second half when I thought he might have had a penalty, the shirt pull seemed to continue inside the box.
His options are limited and the reality check just might do him and us a favour, I still think there is a decent center forward in there, but he is a one trick pony with a lot to learn.
He may well get a move abroad if that's what his little heart desires. LLoret De Mar are looking for a CF. St Pauli are as well.
Willow Pond are looking for a CF but I don't know if Connor would want to be seen down Hylton Road in his Ferrari.
Given this a lot of thought and I think I'd rather move him on and replace him with Poyet's own signing. Gus hasn't purchased any of our strikers. I'd like to see one in that Gus thinks suits his vision.
He did purchase Scocco! I think when Fletcher is fit you're better off with people in and around him. Seeing how Downing is being used now at West Ham makes me wonder if AJ can't do a similar job in behind Fletcher. Bit off topic but I think they'd scare opposition more than your current set up.
