Sunderland AFC are delighted to announce the signing of Bailey Wright. The Australian defender, who impressed throughout a loan spell at the Stadium of Light last season, returns to Wearside on a two-year deal. Wright becomes Phil Parkinson’s second signing ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, moving to the North East on a permanent deal after his three-year stay at Bristol City ended last month. Following his arrival, the Black Cats kept five clean sheets in six games with Wright at the heart of the defence before an ankle injury, and the coronavirus pandemic, brought a premature end to the campaign. The 28-year-old has a wealth of experience under his belt, having made almost 300 appearances in English football, as well as earning 24 caps for Australia. Wright gained promotion to the Sky Bet Championship during his eight-year stint with Preston North End, and following his move to Bristol City in 2017, he was named as the Robins’ club captain. After returning to the Stadium of Light, Wright said: “It feels really good to get the deal done and I just can’t wait to get up to the North East and join the squad. Although I only worked with the manager for a short spell, I really enjoyed the structure and discipline of the team. He expects his players to give everything on the pitch and be good people, and we have that culture within the dressing room. We are heading in the right direction and I’m very confident we can achieve our ambitions next season.” Manager Phil Parkinson added: “I’m delighted to have signed Bailey. He’s a very good player, but he’s also an excellent character and leader. He’s a really important signing for us and because of his quality, there was plenty of competition for his signature, so I’d like to credit the owner and Jim Rodwell for getting the deal over the line.” https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2020/july/bailey-wright-returns-to-sunderland
This I am very, very happy with. Forgetting the off field **** for a minute, looks like we are doing a solid job with the first team recruitment at least. Credit, however small, to the owners for getting it done early, I’d be amazed if we didn’t have competition for Bailey.
Chuffed with this, definitely improves us and went to **** when he got injured, keep him fit and we’ve got more than half a chance
I don’t see anyone with better CB’s in the league than us, I think we are way ahead there. We are still desperate for another goalscorer and for me a CM who can use the ball, great start though.
He made a real difference so I'm very happy with this ... ... the cynical side of me thinks there'll be players grabbing deals before clubs go under. C'est la vie ....
So be it mate. Grim as the thought is at least if we are pushing deals through it evidences that we are ok. We just need out of the league and signings like this will push us up there. Good balance with Willis.
Know nowt about him but we do know Fleetwood are a good side and they’ve been punching. Apparently they offered him a new deal as well so they rate him. For all Barton is a prick there’s little doubt he’s done a good job there and should know a player given he was a very decent player himself.
Starting with the win against Wycombe, we had 8 clean sheets in 9 games. Bailey only participated in four of those matches where we held our opponent scoreless. Who played in all 8 of those clean sheets - Charlie Wyke, who shored up our setpiece defence. But the wheels did come off after Wright went down. I hope he's the factor he seems to be.
I’d 100% give it to him or Willis. I’m sure Bailey has captained Australia, Australians are ballsy bastards so that would sway it for me. I don’t see any point having someone who’s in and out of side getting it, we have been short on leadership. We haven’t had a captain since Catts if we are open.
Sounds like he’s in with a Chance : Manager Phil Parkinson added: “I’m delighted to have signed Bailey. He’s a very good player, but he’s also an excellent character and leader. He’s a really important signing for us and because of his quality, there was plenty of competition for his signature, so I’d like to credit the owner and Jim Rodwell for getting the deal over the line.”
We'll still be vulnerable at set pieces imo. The new keeper we're after, Sarkic(?), looks huge so he would help.
Yeah we could do with more height, but it’s not a be all and end all. If there’s any truth in the links with that Northampton lad he’s 6’5 so that would be a logical move. A lot of championship interest in him so we likely out anyway.