When the summer transfer window finally closes on 2nd September, Sunderland, like all Premier League teams, are required to submit their squad of up to 25 players eligible to play until the New Year. The number excludes U-21s and the problem for the club is that they currently only have 19 (or 20 if Danny Graham is included for whatever reason) to register. The shortage highlights how thin on the ground the first-team pool is and the size of the task faced by Sporting Director Lee Congerton in signing players before the deadline. The figure is well down on the 23 submitted for last season's frantic survival efforts. The low number is particularly noticeable among defenders as highlighted by the makeshift arrangements that had to be made at West Brom. Gus Poyet was correct is arguing that closing of the transfer window should coincide with the start of the season but in their current plight it would not have helped Sunderland. It seems that everything, again, will depend on the last frenzied day of the window which may generate much excitement but has become a farce. It is now a scene of bluffs and counter-bluffs in last minute horse-trading that no team should ever have to rely on. Despite bringing in seven players already, Poyet still effectively needs five more recruits to bring up the numbers. There has been twelve departures such has been the many lessons that the club has had to learn from past failures and employing the wrong strategies. The scale could yet be larger if any more players leave, with Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher among the favourites to do so. Little is known whether Congerton is the right person for the job. His greatest success, if he is rightfully due the credit, was bringing in the aspiring England international midfielder Jack Rodwell. His exact role at the club is not known and no doubt is reduced by Chief Executive Margaret Byrne keeping a firm grip of the purse strings at the bidding of American owner Ellis Short. And then what about the Fabio Borini saga, what part has he played in making the window a virtual soap opera? Sunderland's ambitious Uruguayan head coach has spoken about the option of being able to change formations from his preferred 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 with more teams now playing with three central defenders. But the distinct sparsity of players offers him few choices. To my mind, from the beginning of the window, one of the main priorities must have been to bring in at least one if not two central defenders but so far to no avail. Switching to a 3-5-2 may also help to resolve the issue with regard to Wickham so far refusing to sign a new contract, if he has indeed been offered one. The young striker may be well short of being anything but the finished article but I can see where he is coming from after the way he has been treated by the club. We should remember it was only by default due to a lack of options that he was finally able to have a protracted run out for the team in his most natural position. There are many beginning-of-season nerves but the failure to bring in more players for whatever the reason has only made them jingle more. Poyet is paid to live under pressure and the personnel shortage has not only effected his pre-season plans but is a distraction that he could well do without. It can only be hoped that both Short and Byrne are not only well aware of the team's current frailties but pull out the stops to act upon it.
Well considering there is only 12 days left, I will be amazed if we do get another six in, providing that is, that Gus wants 25 Smug.
Gus doesn't want 25 he wants 23. He said so, He's even gone as far as telling what numbers he wants for where(notice the positions) So we know beyond doubt what we need and where. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image So as we can see we need a Centerback, a left back, a centre midfielder and a striker who can play wide. We've still got two domestic loans and unlimited overseas loans so have the breathing room to splash out on some real quality rather than 4 cheaper permanent signings. A lot good players going to be available either permanently or on loan in the next two weeks. I'm not worried.
United etc will be unloading in the next couple of weeks with either loans or deals ......... I'm expecting some surprises.
It looks like Welbeck will be looking for a new home and I'd welcome him back. He's another one, like Wickham, who needs to listen to his heart rather than his agent. We need an exiting striker and I'm sure he would enthuse the crowd plus he'd hit the ground running and would settle quickly. Thankfully we've shown no interest in Zaha who's attitude is worse than Wickham's. What is it with these young English strikers that makes them believe they're superstars before they've done anything?
If Wickham followed his heart he'd be face down pissed in pool of vomit. His heart wants him to be party playboy not a footballer. Wickham needs to use his brain not his heart. Not convinced he has one to be honest. A brain that is.
