Smallbone is an interesting one. Someone who I don't really rate (even at Championship level), but whom I'm reluctant to write off until I've seen him play in the Championship under a manager who isn't Martin. He was player of the season at Stoke, and my understanding (which might be wrong) is that he mainly played as a no.10 (or an attacking no.8). Martin played him more often as a no.6 than a no.10! He had zero spacial awareness last season when collecting the ball from a defender; he'd just pass it to a player who was in his line of vision (which was often backwards). But what if he was playing much further upfield? And what if he was playing under a manager who was less possession-focused? He wouldn't be the first player who was unsuited to Martin's style.
If we loan out Archer and Arma who does that leave as an option off the bench, or if Tall Paul gets injured? Fraser? I don’t see the sense in letting either of them go on loan, even if they aren’t over performing for us, although I still think Archer could do a job in this league in the right set up.
I can see why we would loan one of them out. They are both elite strikers at that level so we would get a decent loan fee and save on wages. We are already relegated so Onuachu and 1 more could do a job for the next few months.
This is probably not a popular opinion right now but I saw Smallbone as a key player last season and was a big part of our promotion. I think that the most successful midfield trio was Downes as 6, WS as a box to box 8 and Stuey as 8/10 transitioning play. A lot of his best work went unnoticed and he is not flashy but rather neat and tidy and kept things ticking over and he scored and assisted some vital goals. However, he was completely unsuited for the 6 position and his reputation has suffered despite only playing there a few times iirc.
Agree with your second para that we're all probably getting worked up for nothing. Adarma - a Geordie - joining Sunderland? Mmm, dubious about that one in particular, but who knows? Stand by my point though. Nothing personal against Juric, but I just think it's way too early to be allowing him to have such a big influence over comings and goings. Let's just hope by midnight tonight this conversation is irrelevant!
