Taxi for Lee Burge, Jordan Willis, Josh Scowen, Max Power, Chris Maguire, Aiden McGeady and Charlie

I think that O'Nien really needs to be given a long stint in midfield before we can make any decisions on him. He's really never been played in his natural position. I mean we didn't purchase him with a view of going right-back. I think that when he dives about and overuns the ball is all down to him not ever playing in a regular postition.

 

I'd agree with this. Its been so long since we've seen him in midfield, its not easy to judge if he really is any better than anyone else who plays there.

 

I mean we constantly say we need energy in midfield. I forgot what game it was but O'Nien, Scowen and Winchester were in the middle and they all had a fantastic game.

 

Just as much a sad enditement of how poor the rest of them are that a 35 year old was needed to get them anywhere near promotion! We need youth and pace in the side imo he'll be on a fortune too so this needs careful consideration and negotiation

 

You act like he’s an average league 1 35 year old. The lad has played at the top end of the world stage. Has undoubted ability way beyond thus division.

there’s no indictment of how bad anyone is in that. he’s a quality player at this level. He’s just a little too good for some as they can’t keep up with his thinking

 

Portsmouth away? They were piss poor and it papered over the cracks in our poor side (they sacked their manager 2 games later after winning 1 in 7).

 

He has been fantastic but age catches up to everyone. No exceptions. We want to press high up and attack with pace. Can't do that with him in current role. It's as simple as that. He's also drawing a huge amount of our wage budget. If he stays he accepts low wage and new role imo.

 

He took a big wage cut a couple of seasons ago I believe although I’m not sure what to. Agree he needs to take a wage cut but he’d be very good to have in the squad
The wage rules have changed significantly from when we gave his original contract. No idea what outer budget will be though

 

I hate this argument. “We only won because they were rubbish”. We were playing some poor football before that game and winning. We were also playing against teams who were also playing rubbish. Yet we played some excellent stuff in a game against someone playing rubbish it’s because of them not us? Makes no sense

 

He'd still easily be best paid player. Can you really see him playing 40 plus games for us in a season at 36 which he'll be in august. It may be better to use resources to get youth in and build a squad which is strong rather than one player being relied upon so heavily

 

Having only ever coached to u15s, I honestly can’t say. But I’ve watched football for over 30 years and you need that experience in the dressing room as it helps bring the youngsters on. I’m not arguing a case for or against him, I just know that solely relying on youth will not work. Unless you’re lucky enough to have youth like Fergie did (which we don’t!!)

 

Sunderland spent years fighting relegation which set our default in stone. The current squad is perfectly set up for survival with a solid defence, when fit, and a big 'outlet' up front. But now we need to be brave, confident and aggressive which we haven't yet been in this league. We have to create a real team spirit with an attack minded squad and an aim to win every game.

I've had my fill of 'backs to the wall' tbh, I want us to come out fighting and frighten teams.

 

Only 30 eh, you should still remember the 1998 season when Reid fell back on youth to shoreup our defence? The team was a mixture of experience, power, pace and youth, all qualities required for a successful team, sadly lacking in the past several seasons... Hopefully KLD gets it right in the rebuild. Hhaaawwwwwaaaaaayyyyyyyy the Lad's

 

1981 first game so, as of August, it’ll be 40 years watching SAFC! Since I first fell in love

 

71/72 for me, though at 8 or 9 I cannot recall my first game, just enjoyed going to the Roker End with my dad.

 

That's an understatement mate. I want us to go out there and scare them ****less, like we used to with Summerbee, Johnston, Quinn and Phillips. It seems an awfully long time ago.
We saw in the first half on Saturday, how a positive approach on the pitch and 10k fans howling at the top of their voices can affect the visitors. Imagine us taking the game to the opposition from the first whistle with 40k in there.

We need to get back to the days when visiting teams hated coming to Sunderland.

 

I'm sick of fans giving **** to the players though. I don't mean just a bit of a moan on here or after a match but the personal ****e on social media. I've said before that these players have not lacked effort, which is what I've wanted for years. Some just aren't very good. Power for example started off very good for us. Those red cards in that first season shattered his confidence. This year I doubt he requested to play at full back. He's done it for the good of the team. ****ing hell Wyke getting **** after scoring 30 odd goals once Parky left.

 

Nailed it marra, they deserve credit where credit is due. We need to rebuild and move on without the petty comments on forums where repercussions are non existant...

 

Your right we need experience too. We've got it elsewhere too. I think most would want to keep him but we can't pay him high wages for a Leadbitter type role hardly playing. Coaches are employed for that. We may not need worry if he gets a better offer like Wyke. I wouldn't be shocked to see all 4 offered deals to get lower end championship clubs. Going to be very busy summer this one.

 

Experience? Brentford are in the championship play off final, so must have a good squad, but how much experience?

They only have 4 players of 30 plus; a 33 yr old keeper, a 31 yr old right back plus a 30 and a 32 yr old centre back.

They have nobody older than 27 in their midfield or forward line-ups.

Here are their squad's average ages