http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...albranque_on_his_way_back_to_fulham_1_3571938 Also says Gordon & Anton may go. Is Sunderlandâs Steed Malbranque on his way back to Fulham? Steed Malbranque challenges Craig Gardner last season. Gardner's switch from Birmingham to Sunderland could now contribute to Malbranque leaving Sunderland. Published on Wednesday 13 July 2011 05:30 FULHAM are the latest club to be linked with Steed Malbranque after rumoured interest from Blackburn Rovers and QPR in the skilful Sunderland midfielder. The 31-year-old, in the last year of his contract at the Stadium of Light, is unlikely to be offered a new deal at the Stadium of Light. And although Black Catsâ boss Steve Bruce has come to respect and rate the Belgium-born playmaker over the last two seasons, he is presiding over a squad in transition and willing to listen to reasonable offers. The manager knows that with nine signings already this summer and potentially more on the way, he might have to sacrifice one or two of his squad and the likes of Malbranque as well as fellow Roy Keane signings Craig Gordon and Anton Ferdinand are vulnerable. All three are among the highest earners at the club and if Sunderland could get a fee for Malbranque and his wages off the bill, they would find it hard to turn down. Fulham boss Martin Jol â who originally signed Malbranque for Spurs in 2006 â knows all about the playerâs qualities and is believed to see him as a good short-term replacement for Zoltan Gera, who snubbed a new deal in favour of a move to West Bromwich Albion. Marlbranque spent five seasons at Craven Cottage before joining Spurs and the chance to finish his playing career in England at the place it started could well appeal.
Wouldnt bother me if either Steed or Anton went. Steed is brilliant with the ball at his feet, but his final ball is crap. Can't remember the last time I saw a cross/shot/pass of his go on target. Anton is a liability. Gordon I would want us to keep if possible, still a better keep than the Mig imo.
Steed has been a great servant to us but I think it's time for him to move on. Mind you, I think he is still very skillful with the ball, if only he could hit the net.
Id keep anton unless we bring in another defender if he was to leave we need the numbers at the back incase of Injuries. Similar with Steed id only want to see him go if we were to sign a left sided player who woud slot straight into the first team. a make weight for "that wigan lad" would suit me. I think if we get offered a decent wedge of cash for Gordan we should sell, with his contract and injuries its too risky not to.
I like Steed, not just because of his ability to keep hold of the ball, but also his great work ethic in fighting for the ball when we are not in possession. I also feel Anton is a victim of the 'scapegoat syndrome' which seems to have a hold on large swathes of our support; and he is actually a pretty good defender who is subject to the odd lapse in concentration.
That odd lapse in concentration has lost us games, and it is becuase of this i think he is unreliable. Otherwise, yes he is a good defender.
I agree with the scapegoat problem, the same happened with Kenwyne Jones. Even when he wasn't playing and more worryingly AFTER he left I genuinely heard 'fans' saying "by that Jones is a lazy b*****d, he never even jumped for that". Anton gets blamed for goals that aren't his fault at all, but on the concentration point there was quite a startling slow motion replay of one of the goals we conceded at man city where we got turned around and you can see anton dawdling back and looking into the crowd. He must have spotted a fly honey as he might say.
Steeds an absolute legend, defo a fan favourite due to his combination of excellent close control/skill and work rate (for 70mins!). Met him a few times when i worked in a bank and although very quiet was really respectful and polite, true gent. And although i never looked at his account as that would be an invasion of privacy, wink wink nod nod, I can say with confidence that his wages are at a level where i can understand the need to shift him from the books, especially with the new signings coming in. If he does go, great servant and I wish him luck for the future.
It's a shame with Anton, cos when he plays well, for 90minutes, he looks superb, it's just the fact that your always in fear. In fairness, he hasn't made a load of howlers, but your right, he seems to have got flak, and it's stuck. He used to get 'flash Southern ****er' jibes from around me, but nothing could be further from the truth, the lad does countless ours of grass roots stuff, him and Rio. I do maintain though that his times up, he'll go somewhere else, play every week, and be a good player.
As I mentioned I didnt look however if i did........ judging by what he was on after tax, over £50,000 a week. Was class when one of my colleagues (who didnt have a clue who he was) did an account review with him and saw how much he was on and stated "you must really put some hours in?" Think on his profile it had him doing 12hrs work a week hahahaha
I remember when the tabloids got hold of John arne risse's pay slip, although there pay is incredible to us normal folk they don't half get raped in tax and deductions. They don't pocket half of what a lot of people think.
Anton, McCartney, Nuggsy and Killgallon have all got to go. Gordon and Steed are entering the final year of theor respective contracts and therefore either new ones offered or they are sold on. Both would be big losses for me but neither defines us a club or team. With the respective additions this summer, we can manage ably without them both. Gyan is pivotal IMO and must not be allowed to leave unless it is for 30m and we can then bring in 2 new quality ones to replace him.
