I thought Love and Mathews would have been more than capable of doing a job at this level, but what do i know..... Aberdeen are hoping to beat Sunderland to the signing of Jason Naismith, after making a fresh offer for the full-back.Ross County defender Naismith has emerged as a key target for Jack Ross as he looks to rebuild Sunderland's squad ahead of their League One assault. The Black Cats have serious competition for the Scot, with reports north of the border claiming Peterborough have matched their £200,000 bid. The biggest threat could come from Aberdeen, however, with the Dons hopeful of pipping the English sides to Naismith's signature through the lure of European football and the chance to win international honours. Naismith is valued at a minimum of £250,000 by Ross County, with the Staggies resigned to losing their star player after a disappointing season resulted in relegation from the SPL. Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is an admirer of the right-back, and is set to offer a player-plus-cash deal to land the 23-year-old. Midfielder Greg Tansey could be offered as a makeweight in the deal after he spent last season on loan at County. The Dons are also playing in Europe next season, which McInnes hopes will prove a further attraction to Naismith. Sunderland boss Ross has drawn up a list of targets, with defenders at the top of his list. The release of John O'Shea, Marc Wilson and Billy Jones, plus the return of Jake Clarke-Salter, Brendan Galloway and Ty Browning to their parent clubs after loan spells means the Black cats squad is thin on experienced defenders. Only Lamine Kone, Papy Djilobodji, Bryan Oviedo and Adam Matthews remain on the books, and the first three at least could all move on this summer. Ross has identified Naismith, one of the most promising young defenders in Scotland, as someone who could boost his side, having worked with the player for three months at St Mirren. Fellow Scot Clark Roberston - available on a free transfer at Blackpool - is also someone Sunderland have scouted.
Matthews is such a shame, he looks so decent when he gets a rub of games then he breaks again. Could be a real asset if fit.
So the defence is currently looking like: Blank - Blank - Blank - Matthews (if fit). Blank is going to have to be a cracking player as the keeper situation isn't any better! I know there's plenty of time but I'm a touch concerned that the level of players being linked are League One standard and no better. Oh well, World Cup distraction and then hopefully a stronger team/ squad to work with.
Love - Blank - Blank - Hume Sub:Mathews Transfer window still has months to go. Don't get why you're stressing.
Logically I know there's plenty of time. I'm not worried players wont be brought in I'm just concerned that given the sheer number of players that need to be brought in they are going to need more time than most teams to gel in pre-season. I think the main thing is that I'll freely admit that unlike in the Premiership or even the Championship where you have either heard of players or can find out information to form an assessment most of the time (though Kone and N'Dong were news to me) I really don't know much about any of these linked players. That doesn't mean they aren't good or can't do a job but I hope the focus is on players who have been performing well in League One already or solid in the Championship as anything else may be more of a gamble than is necessary.
We've got the nucleus of a decent first 11 with our youth players, if we take on no new injuries we can kick off with only 3 or 4 debutant and gel the rest gradually. Doubt we;ll have all our shopping done by kick off anyway. I'm not worried.
He's class isn't he! "How can we have missed out on someone we don't want?" Love this fella!! Long may it continue
A thread might be good so everyone can see what the largest developments are. As you say... they're top notch.
I agree with the earlier closing, think it makes sense. They talked about it in the Premiership but not sure if it's come in. I know they were concerned that other countries would be able to carry on trading and it may weaken our teams comparably in Europe but most managers seemed in favour.
