Reading some of the Man U posts about the players we signed last night and there was an acceptance that it was time for Brown move on but many still saw a role for O'Shea to play at Old Trafford. Almost all posts said that they had been fantastic servants to the club and would both do well for us. Good to hear! Anyway positionally, many of the Man U fans saw O'Shea being our 1st choice right back with Brown pushed into the centre with probably Titus. This leaves Bardo I guess to cover left back unless Bruce has something up his sleeve. (please not Richardson). O'Shea - Titus - Brown - Bardo If that was the back four, what's your thoughts or do you think they'll line up differently??
Godd back four, will cope with most teams in the premier league, but only if SB does'nt spoil it by putting in Ferdinand
The thing is, unlike some comments made for these 2 lads in some quarters, the people who have actually watched them for 10 years judge them as huge losses for Man Utd NOW. I admit that we would not have got these 2 players 4 or 5 years ago and that they are maybe beyond competing with the Barcelona's of this world but they are good enough for us. I've looked at our fixture list several times this morning and cant see when we play Real Madrid, or Barcelona this year? We do however play a host of ordinary and average clubs and these 2, along with the others, will give us an edge IMO over those clubs in the battle for the 6th place downwards. I welcome both players and think its a great deal for £6m for the pair.
Totally agree, must admit when I first heard O'Shea's name banded about I thought, nah, no chance of getting a player like him at Sunderland. Bruce has obviously said all the right things (probably with a push in the right direction from SAF) and proved me and many others wrong. The wealth of experience they both bring to the table can only be a good thing.
Spot on Cest. And maybe when their playing days are over they would be good additions to the coaching staff for us.
Sorry to but into the conversation, but I would say both will be automatic choices. Start the season with: RB Brown CB Bramble CB Oshea LB Bardo or RB Bardo CB Bramble CB Brown LB Oshea
I really expect O'Shea to play a much bigger role, maybe even as captain, therefore he will be an automatic start, unless something happens. As for Brown, i think a lot depends on what happens if we buy a new l/b. As then O'Shea will probably go c/b, with Bardo r/b.. All good choices, and decision time for Bruce.
I think the spending on defence is over and thats fine by me. Yes we all would like a new RB/CB/LB but we need to get real, we just cant keep bringing in new players. I dont see anyway that Bruce would buy 2 United players and not have them first choice and that back 4 of brown.oshea/bramble/bardo in any formation should be solid and be able to compete well. Any cash now for a LM and striker
They will. Easy. Whatever their ability is now, they do have a huge pedigree and they've played for over a decade for one of the best teams in the world, so they're gonna have a bit of an ego on them, and moving to a lesser team like Sunderland (or any lower) team and being made 2nd choice would hurt like a bitch. It would have taken a lot to convince players like O'Shea and Brown to move from Man Utd and CL games to a mid-table club. That's likely to include decent wages, long contracts and the promise of first team football.
I think Cest touched on the key point here. Look on the United board, and a huge amount of United fans feel that O'Shea should have remained at the club, as his versatility is an asset, and they state 'he's got at least 2 years at the top left in him'. Even on Brown, the consensus seems to be that he's a cracking defender, and is unlucky to have had Vidic and Ferdinand block his route recently. I'll take the opinions of the lads who watch them religiously for 10 years as gospel, and let's be honest, who exactly would get a game ahead of Rio and Vidic? I think it'll be Bardo right back and Ricco left back at season start, with O'Shea a shoe in, and Titus, Turner and Brown fighting for the final slot. I'm delighted with that.
and we all know that he always knows coz he is grit clever like, I know that coz he telt me (does anyone take him seriously anyhore)
That's what i mean, O'Shea a dead cert. That's not a bad scenario there mate, although some people will berate the Ricco selection. All i mean is yes they have vast experience, and high profiles, but doesn't give them a divine right to be in the team automatically. Remember how long it took to get that donkey out of the team we loaned in Jan. Picked on reputation..
Personally Comm, i'd rather see Ricco left back regardless, unless we sign a proper left back. My opinion is that we won't make any more midfield signings now, so Sess is going left mid, hence a left footed wing back is essential. I'm happy for the club to surprise me with a stunning left mid signing, but i don't think we will. I'd wager 2 strikers will end the spending, one of them likely to be Wellbeck on loan, the other a signing we will all be delighted with.
Remember Steve Bould? I thought he was a touch of class. I would take experience any day of week and these 2 lads are younger than Bould was when he signed but they dont come much more experienced. Honestly, chuffed to bits with the signings so far.
Spot on mate. A few of the lads have pointed to O'Shea as a similar signing to Bould, only O'Shea is 5 years younger than Bould was, i think he's the outstanding signing so far, the one that will benefit us most from the off. Hopefully that becomes Whickham, long term.
Do you think it could be a back 3?? .....Brown...Bramble.....Oshea..... Bardo................................Ricco .....Larsson..Catts..Gardener........ ..............Sess........................... ....................Gyan....................
I actually really like the look of that. For Liverpool away, that would be a hard team to break down, and bring Connor on last 20 mins.
