I notice that both Philips and at times Micky Gray are used for rent a quotes for all things Sunderland lately and ok, the way they speak about things at times, they do make it seem that its inside knowledge rather than their own opinion. I can understand where Philips is coming from regarding Defoe - age is against him and we do seem to have a new way of doing things and would he fit into that? Who knows - but the way Defoe has kept himself fit and the regard he's held in within the game it may be worth a shout - even if he's offered a bit part and helping out coaching either the first team strikers or the young ones, it might be worth the question (in my opinion! )
The only criticism I have of SKP is that he does not do his homework, 30 minutes on the internet would let him know that KLD is not the average 23 year old footy mad billionaire, he is from a very serious business family with football experience and his advisors are top drawer.
Good influence on Maja etc. The lad mentioned he was a free agent the other day, would be cracking to have him here now, imagine the lift it would give us.
Me as well mate - I was just correcting the previous poster who said he was 45 for some reason. He would be a fantastic signing regardless of League 1 or the Championship.
Yeah, this. He's my favourite ever Sunderland player and he probably always will be. He can't really do any wrong in my eyes.
For what he did in our shirt I am grateful, for how he wanted away I can forgive him, for what he has become I am struggling with. Let's not forget if we hadn't taken the chance in him, he would have stayed in Watford reserves and yes he was amazing, but we built a team geared up for him.
This. Heroes don’t come along very often. He will always be Super Kev especially to those fans who were young and worshipped him.
Too many '5 minute pundits' dont do the research in my opinion. They fill a few minutes on radio and tv shows but too few bring anything insightful. The overall level of punditry, analysis and more broadly journalism is getting worse all the time I think. Honestly, I sometimes get mad when some of them get on a rant - pay me to do that. I cringe even more when journalists are on tv or radio talking about the game - some of them want to be tv personalities it seems to me. I blame that sky tv show from Sunday mornings with Jimmy Hill and journalists eating their breakfast! Danny Collins is good on our streams. We are lucky to have him as he genuinely analyses what is going on and makes comments based on that.
THAT 1998 onward team were the era I got into football. Fond memories of all of them. Quinny with the knock down, bang, 1-0 Phillips. Must admit, I stopped growing at 6'4 so growing up a tall teen,Quinny was my footballing favourite. I'll always have fond memories or Phillips though. It's funny how things work out in football. Phillips was magic in a Sunderland shirt, but we helped launch him, we did for each other. Could have been a different story mind. Heard recently on talkSPORT the story of how he was all set to sign for Ipswich but fell through. He didn't want to go back to London so asked his agent to find him a different club. Oddly enough, a few days before that,Peter Ried had asked about him after remembering seeing him at Watford but the Ipswich deal was done. So one phone call to Reid and the rest is history. Was nearly away from us in 2001 after the 30 goal season to Arsenal but they opted for Francis Jeffers on a free. He found a home here by chance. He left us 18 years ago but I've never known him to be quizzed about us so much until Donald came in. Possibly coinciding with him getting into coaching but I digress. Anyway, waffle over. However I can see why his comments can wind people up. We expect him to be all for us and to an extent he is, but more times then not these days, he goes down the balanced route, much like Quinny did during his Sky commentary days. But we all know secretly they are both rooting for us. And...... he did put the ball in the Geordies net
There were a few others who helped make that team into what it was btw Summerbee and Johnston to name a couple. The ball didn't just wander it's way into Quinnys head. Mickey Gray and Chris Makin were superb as well. But aye, the front 2 were decent
Love him as a footballer but he is starting to sound a little bit bitter. I wonder if he was expecting Nigel Pearson to get the job and he would get a role on the coaching side?
Yep. That's why I said 'That" team. I felt I had waffled on abit in my post so left everyone to fill in the blanks. ie the rest or the team. The 98 play off final epitomised Kevin Ball. I believe it was just before the 2nd goal, ball is about 30 yards out, two Charlton players both hoy a boot in to kick it away from their goal, Ball has the same idea at the same time, only using his head to nod it towards their goal. As for the mention on Quinny, he was Phillips partner in crime and mentioned more of a soliloquy on my part.
Believe me mate, this isn't pleasant for me and it's not a snap judgement. I've ignored quite a few things because of my regard for what he did for us, some of the best football days of my life. But it's gradually dawned on me that he has a slightly bitter attitude. On the Sky interview I got the distinct feeling he's been very pally with Donald. When he suggested Donald would be there to help KLD 'who'd been brought in to provide extra finance' I found that very disappointing. I wasn't expecting him to behave like a fan and be bouncing in his chair but he almost seemed a little deflated.
Yep I agree. I’ve stopped bothering to read what he says - it is usually waffle to get clicks for the Footballer Insider mob
It tends to be the case that when there are pundits doing analysis I'll wait until the older ones are talking to really pay attention. There are a few exceptions but it seems like most of the younger ones don't offer any more insight than what I have myself which is to say bugger all. Agreed about Collins he does a very good job and should be tied down long term if possible. Same for the other bloke, Frankie Francis is it? I like the two of them.