Totally understandable but the performances of Mayenda have been really encouraging, he’ll be full of confidence No doubt we’ll reassess our options in January
Very encouraging, he’s still a young lad and raw that’s my only concern but he’s proved me wrong thus far so hopefully he keeps performing like he is.
Kristjaan Speakman explains Sunderland sale of Jack Clarke to Ipswich https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...explains-sunderland-sale-jack-clarke-ipswich/ .... There were a number of factors behind the decision to sell – Clarke had entered the final two years of his contract and was refusing to sign a new deal – but Speakman concedes a somewhat surprising lack of summer interest was a factor. “It was the highest package we’d been able to negotiate and we felt it was the right moment to take it,” said Speakman, who is Sunderland’s sporting director. “I don't think we’d get anywhere near that value next summer or the following January. “It’s difficult to get into details of the fee, you can never get the full details or the full picture and you don't want to make judgements on just bits of the picture. But on the fee and finance, hopefully supporters trust that we're good enough at running the club to make the right decision on things like that. “In terms of why it was the right fee, rightly or wrongly, there was perhaps less interest in Jack than what maybe people perceived on the outside. It was not a situation where we had a large number of clubs sending in offers or making requests to speak to the player. “So, you have to assess the market and where it's likely to be in future as a result, and then you make the decision on whether it's the right opportunity.” “There’s a player element to it as well,” said Speakman. “So, last year, we had a significant bid, which was less than the one we accepted this summer, and we basically stopped the player from moving. “Does the player want to play in the Premier League? Yes, but at the same time he was more than happy to continue his journey with us and came back and performed extremely well. When that opportunity comes back up again, I think it's difficult for the second occasion to say that we're not going to allow it again. “It makes it really difficult to sign players like Milan (Aleksic) because if they feel there's not going to be that opportunity in future, the talent pathway would soon dry up. So, we had to understand where Jack was and what he wanted to do.” Clarke’s absence has left a gap on Sunderland’s left-hand side, but Romaine Mundle has stepped up effectively in the last few weeks, scoring two goals in the last two games, while Wilson Isidor, who primarily plays off the left flank, is also finding his feet following his move from Zenit St Petersburg. “Romaine has trained diligently and developed himself hugely,” said Speakman. “He deserves an opportunity to play and so far he's made a huge impact. That's really, really pleasing. “In terms of recruiting externally, we're really pleased. Wilson has made in the region of 150 senior appearances, scored in the region of 50 goals across that period. We've definitely recruited someone who can and has scored goals, the question is of course whether he can do it here.”
Interesting that Speakman said we will entertain using the free agent market. I thought that he would have dismissed that out of hand. Guess this thread needs to stay on a little yet.
Thanks for posting mate. KS has his critics,apparently due to his manner,...I don't know him at all,but there's no doubting his abilities in the role he has with us.I'm as confident as I have been in a long,long time,that we're being managed by people who know what they're doing. We often talk about our players being taken by PL clubs...what about our DoF! There's some that must be taking note.
I would say it's very difficult to criticise the business this summer, yes it went to the wire but doesn't it always? Obviously it's far to early to judge but the signings all appear to be another step in the right direction for the squad and the acquisition of Browne especially looks a very good one. I'm just enjoying the start, trying (and failing) to not get carried away and looking forward to the next game
We have Samed,Aleksic,Aboullahi and Wilson to even make a mark yet,and Poveda to get up to speed......if these lads are what we hope they are....we're going to have a great squad and a fantastic season ahead.Can't wait me....I'm buzzing!
I hear this craic about his manner, but see no evidence. He is bright and focused on interviews, and anyone who’s seen him at the SOL on match days will have seen a relaxed looking bloke who always seems to be open for a quick hello or chat to anyone. If they mean he can be harsh discussing business, well, we wouldn’t want that any other way. We did suspect there hadn’t been as much interest as suggested in Clarke. There’s so many wingers out there at the moment. Seems like every week there’s a new one making a mark.
I’m sure I read that they decided against using the free agent market as Le Bris felt like he had enough players even with injuries
@CR17 It’s in the top link at two minutes. Speakman doesn’t dismiss dipping into the free agent market.
While I have been beating the drum for a centre forward, the fact we have players all over the pitch who can score does mean it isn't as critical as seems..or at least as I thought. When you consider we have O9, Cirkin and Ballard popping up scoring the odd one or two, then add in Mundle, Mayenda, Roberts, Jobe, Rigg, Wilson, etc etc...We must be a nightmare to work out how to play for the opposition.
Young Joe Grey at Hartlepool has looked a real prospect for a couple of seasons now, surprised a league club hasn't moved to bring him in, he's 21 so perhaps a bit old to be considered a development project for us?
I wonder whether Speakman and the recruitment team are the equivalent of the IT team at my office… We all expect the IT to work perfectly all day every day and we give them zero credit for that…it’s only when things don’t go to plan that they get grief… It’s all the more difficult for KS as we are all,as fans, kept out of the loop. All we hear are rumours; we never know the full story and never know whether we have signed our first, second or fifteenth preference player. All we know is that the squad seems stronger now than at the end of last season and the RLB is getting a lot more out of the players that he inherited… Keep The Faith I say…
I have to admit I didn't like Speakman and that was down this focus on bringing in young raw talent ( Russian roulette ) to the club when we needed some experience in a cdm and cf position. He's won me round ,but I I still think the clubs communication was poor on keeping the fans on board with what they wanted to do . We are seeing a total change in how our club operates in all areas and we the fans need to be educated and included in this change .. we need to wise up ..
