Summer window

He wanted to play at the World Cup didn’t he? Only had a small window to prove himself to Rob Page and I suppose he thought I need to be playing.

I think he thought he didn’t have time to break into the team and get then picked before the World Cup. He picked up a knock early at Wigan so was academic anyway

 

Ah fair play. Wouldn’t touch with a barge pole then.

 

100%

We could counter fine all day long. If teams sat back we struggled a bit more.

Looking back now, I wonder if watching Leicester’s title winning season would have helped us at all. From what I can remember, they rarely played with a target man that season, it was mostly Jamie vardy running onto the ball. The only target man they really had was Ulloa

 

Ironic how it turned out, oh no best not go to Sunderland they've got far too many strikers.

 

Just revisiting the Speakman point, his critics often say that the players hate him and think he’s an arrogant twat (I know it’s not really important but I did notice that no players liked the video of his interview on Instagram when there’s normally a few that like everything the club posts). My question is do people think it’s at all important for the players to like and/or respect the sporting director for the club to progress successfully?

If it’s right they’re not fond of him then performance and improvement to date would suggest it’s not important at all. I do wonder though, if he had to make a seriously big decision, like bringing someone in to replace Mowbray, whether that relationship would undermine his ability to get the players on board and avoid resentment. Could mean any new head coach could face a bit of an up hill struggle getting the squad on side if he’s seen as Speakman’s man.

I’m obviously just hypothesising and it’s definitely not a criticism of Speakman or the players. I’m intrigued as to whether others think it’s an issue or not.

 

This is the vital flaw in the argument of anyone who said "the club should have signed any big lad to play up front!!" in January. I 100% guarantee you that there was not a "big lad" available who was as good with his feet as Ross. Literally zero chance.

So, the club had two options. Either sign a big lump of ****e like Chris Martin (people were actually suggesting we go for him ) and completely change the way we play to accommodate a "big lad" who might win a few headers and score the odd scrappy goal but is otherwise ineffective, or utilise the quality players we have, continue to develop our style of football... And end up being the 4th highest scoring team in the league.

I know which option I prefer.

 

Some even mentioned connor wickham

 

There is a player who couldn't be arsed to fulfil his potential!

 

Come of it, you are having a laugh now, couldn’t of been Sunderland supporters, no chance

 

It was just panic in the heat of the moment around the lack of strikers and missing hold up play.

I thought we’d struggle massively when Stewart got injured and Simms was recalled. I was wrong and have 100% faith in the recruitment plans of the club.

 

I think most people were stating we should’ve brought in a proper striker, not just a big lad. The fact Joffy only managed 3 goals from January onwards probably doesn’t give you a good case that we still shouldn’t have brought in a natural striker. I lost count of how many chances he had in the box that he fluffed that you’d argue a natural 9 would’ve tucked away - most importantly the one against luton at the SoL where he seemed to pull his leg out of the way of what seemed a sure goal.

Cameron Archer scored 11 goals after joining half way through the season - 2 less than our seasons top scorer, Diallo.

 

Ethan Laidlaw leaving Hibs this summer, we should def be looking at signing this lad - not ready for Championship football yet but is someone with big upside. Seen him play live and he looks an exciting player, sign him and play him in the U21s or look to loan him out to a L2 or SPL team.

 

Just my opinion mate but I think this whole Speakman being a nice fella or not is just guesswork and legacy speculation. Players day to day wont see him. Agents might. He brought in Neil, players played for him. He brought in Mowbray, player played for him. His job isnt to be a nice guy, it is to be effective and be the sharp edge of our playing operation. He is one of the biggest cogs in our wheel, and so far is driving us forward at pace and in a direction we should all be delighted with.

 

If my boss posted stuff on the internet, the last thing I would be doing is, liking their post.
I can’t remember the last boss that I liked to be honest.
Doesn’t really matter if they like Speakman or not, he does his job and does it well.

 

Liking is irrelevant to the situation. Important thing is if the players respect him and I have to assume, given the progress of the team and the opportunities being afforded to youth, that will be a yes. A lot are benefiting from his strategy.

 

According to Liverpool Echo Henderson has told the club he’s leaving as he feels responsible for failing to qualify for champions league.

 

we do seem to have a pretty solid starting point with playing staff, i get the feeling this window could feel a bit of a 'let down'...the recruitment team have done a great job so far and i might yet be surprised by the end of the window.

as for speakman, his job is simply to 'hire and fire' which means he needs to keep an open view on the staff, being 'friends' with players would/could make it a harder decision, i very much doubt that winnie will be the only leaver.

 

For me mind, Im not bothered who we sign. We obviously look carefully now, and as Speakman says, it's about a lot more than talent.

Even if I've heard of them, it's what they do for us that counts, and everything says the club really know what they are doing now.

 

Probably a coincidence but I did see JH7 Number Plate round our area a few days ago.