We have discussed it, debated it, argued over it, fallen out over it but still its there and I'm getting concerned. Ever since we lost Bent we have called for a new striker and in the summer everyone was astounded when all we saw was a last ditch move for Bendy on loan. We called Bruce every name under the sun for his incompetance in not siging a striker. Even when Bruce was here we all knew that on January 1st a top striker would walk through the door, he had to because it was so obvious we needed one. Bruce left, O'Neil arrived and our prayers were answered because MON would sort it. The goals came but the strikers continued to miss fire then on Saturday even MON spoke about missed chances. Why then do we not have a new striker, all those reasons you are thinking of, hard to find, expensive, still time, well they were not allowed under Bruce so they cant be allowed under MON. It all seems to point to one thing, we really are skint and Short wont stump up, can anyone think of any other reason? So, where doe this leave us, vunerable is my answer and that worries me. Right my chums, chear me up please.
MoN said he wanted to evaluate the players and 6 weeks is not that long really. I think we are looking but, in true Sunderland fashion, keeping it all under the radar. I don't think we are skint but need to get value for money with the financial fair play thing coming soon. I think we will get a striker by end of January but maybe we are waiting to see how Frazer comes on? I am actually starting to contemplate the unthinkable - we need Darren Bent back!! He really would have buried at least 2 of those chances on Saturday and I can't see him staying at Villa or going to any of the top 5 or 6. And on a personal note I am glad to see a thread from you Syd. I was worried and was missing my morning fix of your thoughts for the day!!
Morning All, MON has had a lot to take in and evaluate in a short period of time as well as preparing for a bust period of games. It may be that it was only on Saturday he finally made up his mind that we do indeed need another striker because to that point goalscoring hasn't really been a problem. I'm sure I read at the weekend that MON is planning a meeting with ES this week, we have to assume budget and targets will be a couple of the topics discussed as well as possible outgoings. Keep the Faith!
Good goal scorers are like gold dust and very expensive. That is why we should have paid Bent more money. I honestly think Wickham will be the answer, so maybe we don't want to splash loads of cash for short term gain. We don't look like relegation material ( at the moment) so do we need to panic buy when we probably have enough cover up front for this season?
With Wickham now back playing and Campbell knocking at the door, I don't think things are all that bad...In my opinion, MON won't buy a striker unless one comes available that will significantly improve on what we already have.
Unfortunately I think you are right Syd hence 44Mil of talent leaving. Hope MON can unearth a gem from somewhere.
The big difference between Bruce and O'Neill was that Bruce's midfield last season didn't know where the opposition's goal was. Defences knew if they snuffed out Bent (later Gyan) they'd snuff out Sunderland because no one else was going to score for us. So when Bent left and Gyan's head went down, it was a disaster for us. The penny seemed to drop with Bruce in summer when he signed some more attack minded midfielders. But then he messed them about as usual - Larsson on the left, Riveros loaned out, Vaughan and Gardner not getting regular games, and McClean not getting any games at all. O'neill has used these same guys properly and they've delivered goals until this weekend. So I don't think there's the panic some are making out. O.k., so we mis-fired in one game - it isn't the end of the world. Whickham and Ji haven't done that badly (I liked the way Ji kept his cool against Hart - he's nothing like a finished product, but I wouldn't cringe if MON played him a time or two). I don't think it's quite fair to say the Bruce and O'Neill situations are the same. O'Neill has created an attacking force which amounts to more than 'get it up to Bent/Gyan'. The need to sign a striker is there, but it's nothing like as pressing as it was with Bruce.
Agreed I think a little more faith in what we have would be fine until the end of the season but I also think were this to be the case we can forget about top 10. As there does not appear to be a solid affordable alternative out there give them a go I say, bloody watford giving SKP a shot worked didn't it? Ok yes we may finish lower than last season but we go into next with 2/3 young hungry talented strikers with half a season of premier league football under there belts (Liverpool might offer us 35Million ) rather than we need proven etc..... they'll be on their way to proven.
I reckon Ji is still having flashbacks about getting a right good snogging off a fan after the City goal. Maybe Ji needs counselling to get him back in the right frame of mind.
SB obviously splashed cash in the summer and amongst old manure defenders and other midfielders brought in two young strikers. ATM they are not ready for the EPL. MoN has had a few weeks to see we lack a striker, I would have thought he would bring one in. If he does not my guess is lack of cash. Lets wait a couple of weeks yet...
been down in the championship since 5 this morning with my policemans hat on, all Pearsons fault for moving clubs. not sure my concerns are dimished so more reassurance needed please
I think we could see a forward arrive on loan in this window. I dont think we will see any major changes IMO MoN will make his signings in the summer & like Mr Raw said Wickham & Campbell are back in training & Campbell was scoring for fun before his injury.
its all well and good saying we need a goal scorer but there are not many about who can get 20 goals a season (bent, tevez, Rooney, Van persie, Defoe on a good year, Dzeko, aguero). Before bent the last one we had was SKP. It is a myth that every team needs one most in this league do not and even splashing out £10 million or more is not going to get you one, think of the players sold at that bracket Crouch 10-15 goals on a good season, Gyan £14 million think it was 12 last season, Elmander went to bolton for like 11 million i think got around the 10 bracket, remember the player Boro signed for like 12 million eventhe likes of cameron jerome get sold for 6 million in todays market and he finds it hard to hit 6 goals a season. it would improve our squad if we did bring a big goal scorer in but i don't think it's as easy as flashing the cash.
I agree with most things above, wont be tooooo dissapointed without a striker coming in, but i think the Chelsea game may have shown that little missing x-factor up front and with rumours of Cissie going about today i think this lad could do wonders with the way our midfield and sess are playing. We will be 'ok' without a striker, but we could be 'great' with one.
Well i dont want to put any Mackems off but actually is a lot like Ba, maybe a touch smaller and quicker.
I think we might wait until the summer. 3 reasons We have several high earner who don't play for us anymore who will be out of contact freeing up wages. We will know more about Campbell progress We will know what's going on with Gyan. I can only really see someone coming in on loan.
