There are so many aspects to our transfer/loan policy it's hard to keep up with and even harder to believe. We're not only attracting good young players, we're bringing them in from the top PL clubs which must say something about Johnson. But there's a 'hidden aspect' to all this ... ... clubs like Liverpool and Exeter have been sent a subtle message that they can't bully us or string us along. After all those years when we were pushed around at playtime we're becoming the bullies I always hoped we would
Good piece that - to be fair to DeFanti and Congerton though, they were operating with one hand tied behind their backs. A fairer comparison would be the recruitment under Coton/Hill and now..... It's light years ahead
Not as bad as the urban myth that had the chancer ring round all the top clubs on transfer deadline day to see what they had spare... We ended up with an injured left-back from Leeds...
I think focusing on young players can only be a positive. They want to better themselves, go back to their parent clubs better players, move up with us or eventually move to a better club. Not use us as a final payday, knowing they will not get any better than being at SAFC in League One, bleeding us dry while they see their contract run down. Also, this policy takes a bit of pressure off. Being a young side we should give them time to develop, we should not instantly expect us to sit in the top 2 all season. With the quality of other clubs in league 1 this season, we cannot expect automatic promotion. We can hope, but not expect. We can maybe expect the lottery of the playoffs again. If we fail in the playoffs then we can try again next season, that bit stronger and more experienced. Basically we need to get behind this group of players, allow them the occasional cock up or bad run, and not jump down their throats when things go wrong, which at times, undoubtedly, they will.
The one thing I know about genuine Sunderland fans is they couldn’t care less if things go wrong, as long as the players are doing the best they can and come off the pitch knackered, they will always get our full backing.
Even more so if they are young,inexperienced players looking to make their way in the game,rather than more established players,signed for large transfer fees and being paid huge salaries.
Whilst this is all true, I'm actually hopeful that this season we'll go up by winning the league. I'm not going to be booing anyone or complaining if we don't, but I've got a good feeling about our chances. It looks like the bookies agree too https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-1
Each of the 3 seasons we have had down here we've been in prime position with 5-10 games to go and chucked it away. Early season form and being the bookies favourites is all well and good but it's the business end of the season that matters
It's got to be good all through the season, we don't need a 'good run at the end' we need to be consistent!
I agree with the Bookies. Us and Sheff Wed to go up automatically, but not necessarily in that order. Wycombe, Pompey, Ipswich, Oxford and Rotherham in the mix for the Play Offs. This side is still getting to know each other and getting accustomed to how the manager wants us to play and we are still averaging more than 2 points per game. I think we will improve as the season drags on and expect further strengthening to happen. Our strength in depth will see us through imo, providing LJ rotates the squad in a sensible manner and isn't afraid to drop anyone who is under performing, no matter who that player might be.
I think we need to come Out of all the cup competitions ASAP, I feel that cost is in our first season and also last season.
Certainly agree with the Pizza Cup, even though we're the holders..... Let that sink in! It's useful game time for those on the fringe, but I would be surprised if our main players took part at all.
Just got to look at Kevin Kyle for that mate, he could never be described as the most gifted player in the world but he always had every fan in the stadium behind him simply because he gave everything he had every time he stepped on the pitch
It may just be me being over optimistic but I've never felt this confident before. I think looking at the other teams in the league I think I would only be happy taking 1 point off sheff wed. I think we are good enough to beat every other team in this league, obviously that's not going to happen every game, just have to look at the Burton game. I do feel that we should be going in to every game expecting to win it
Agree. Cup competitions are distractions that risk injuries and burn-out, and that even if successful bring fleeting joy. I think every supporter, given the choice, would prefer promotion over a cup. But are we free to just opt out?
It was our home form which cost us the last 3 seasons 2020/2021 (home) P23. W 9. D8. L6 2020/2021 (away) P23. W11 D9. L3 Same score/pattern the two years before We were fourth overall on away games with only 3 points separating the top 4 We were 12th in the league on home form with 15 points between us and Posh
That's pretty much how I feel. What's even more remarkable is that if some of the young CB's start to tire after Xmas, we will have Xhemajli back, then hopefully Willis towards the end of the campaign. If we are right up there at Xmas and LJ feels we need to strengthen, I feel confident that KLD and Speakman will back him. Not taking anything for granted, but quietly optimistic all the same.