Match Day Thread Gateshead FC v Sunderland AFC & South Shields FC v Sunderland AFC - Saturday 12th July 2025 - KO 12:

Nice to get them in the cup

 

Needs a good champ loan for me Abdullahi. Needs to play regularly

 

Hes definitely got the physical attributes. I dont honestly think we need to use our budget on a striker, id save it for the other areas we need namely CB and probably LB now that it looks like Cirkin is going to once again pick up a wage but barely be available

 

Finally got logged into safc by re registering using my existing email address, would have expected to get booted out. Password also needs a special character, which I think is new.

 

A lot of people think Abdullahi was a complete random when we signed him but he'd had trials at dortmund and marseille

 

Abdullahi goal made the day. I think he showed some glimpses of what we can expect. He made two or three great runs off the shoulder before Mayenda picked him out. Good with back to goal as well. Lets see how he goes pre-season but promising.

Overall a canny run out. Aleksic good in parts, frustrating in others. Can go down a blind alley at times. Roberts looked sharp. Mayenda looked like he hasnt had a break - top class that lad.

Enjoyed the little spell after the drinks break. We gave them 5 mins where it was defence v attack. Shape was really good and 2 really good lines. A little bit of a carry over from last year, but nice to see the protection of the middle zone and allowing pushing them wide.

Steady start. Fitness building is all at this stage.

 

Id happily loan one but i think our money is best spent elsewhere

 

I’m going to go back to my early shout. Welbeck would be my choice. If you look at the other three lads and their potential, Welbeck would pull them upwards.

 

as i said earlier, i like to see these two games to start the pre-season, both gateshead and shields usually give a good account of themselves which gives our lads an early work out.

deffo some rustiness in there, but also some good performances considering...basically 4 sides were used and plenty of minutes in the legs, not going to make any calls as it was clearly a 'loosener' for all the players out there.

maybe our high press was agreed between clubs to give shields a chance to work at it, doubt we will hold that into the season but nice to see the team work so early.

 

A loan makes perfect sense to get him a good run of games.

What level do you think is right for him? Top end of League One/SPL where he can be the main man every week and score for fun or do you think he can play every week for a Championship team? I don't see the point in loaning him abroad.

 

We might have enough money to do it tho

None of us know the budget so I trust that the club will know where they need to spend money and where they can save some

 

I think we will be trying to press high this season based on the signings we've made, Speakman made a point to say Talbi is very good at winning duels, and both midfielders we've bought are very high intensity

 

Sounds like we played well and have a promising squad.

Feel more confident about the new season now.

 

Now that we are done, may I just say bloody bone idle only doing one thread for two matches mind. Your reputation is good, but dont go all lazy on us

As for the Premier League of threads. A small distraction during a close season. Now we have footy back they can be knocked on the head

 

could be right, i was thinking more sit deep then run like feck at them...guess it feels good to see we have more than one plan.

 

Id watch us spend all day long mate and be in my element but surely now after iver 100m we need to start being abit more cautious.

 

You're saying that and you're calling RTB 'bone idle'

 

Good day out that nice being up close, Moore and Neil really vocal, Huggins looked good, mayenda aleksic and Abdullahi really sharp, thought shields were canny defensively, hope the fan that had the medical episode is okay

 

I really hope we keep Aleksic, if he needs a loan so be it. But in England.

 

I liked the look of Tutierov, good pace, great feet and plays on the front foot