A week ago there were some bitty arguments amongst us and tetchy squabbles regarding the direction of the team and the managements recruitment policy. Well, after a very credible 0-0 at the Emirates last Saturday eased fears from some quarters about our ability to compete with the existing squad, the last 10 hours has just ignited the blue touchpaper for our season. Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher represent a hefty £22m investment from the owner and superb backing for the manager and I don't think it all stops there either. I still think there is a left back, a defender and another good striker to come in yet and probably 2 or 3 going out and by the time we play Swansea (a), we will really start to see the MoN revolution take shape. Potentially, this could be the best attacking team since the Reid days of Summerbee, Johnson, Quinn and SKP, with McClean, Larsson, Johnson and Fletcher already in. This is not a told you so thread as I know deep down every Sunderland fan wanted to see improvements but it is a thread designed to reiterate the importance of the manager in all of this. He is a draw for footballers and he is responsible for bringing an air of clam and determination to our flighty ways. Not in my 38 seasons have I seen us buy a current established England international, in his prime and from the current Champions of England. Unprecedented stuff. We just spent £22m in one afternoon and will spend again before the 1st of September imo. Great day, great signings and a great excitement for the rest of the season now.
it is a thread designed to reiterate the importance of the manager in all of this. He is a draw for footballers and he is responsible for bringing an air of clam and determination to our flighty ways. Not in my 38 seasons have I seen us buy a current established England international, in his prime and from the current Champions of England. Unprecedented stuff. I make you right. All of the pieces of the jigsaw need to fit to attract top quality players still on the up, and MON is undoubtedly a massive plus for our club in all sorts of ways
Imagine this, the whole hog if all is to believed, come 31st August 2012. ---------Fletcher-Defoe--------- McLean------Sess--------Johnson -----------Cattermole----------- Olsson---JOS---Dawson--Larsson ------------Mig----------------- SUBS Westwood Cuellar Brown Bardo Colback Ji Guidietti Erm....
Rumour, admittedly twitter, we have bid 8 mil for Dempsey. Another player I would relish here. With MONs persuasive powers and after the signing AJ I will not dismiss this lightly.
I think some of us have learnt a lesson in staying calm and believing that mon is a quality manager with a brain. As for our spending: Bent, hendo and Gyan have gone for about 50 million and fletch and aj have come in for 24 million. Together with the pupu platter Bruce bought at the start of last season, I consider our books to be more than balanced. Happy days
This transfer window has taken a while to get going but things are moving now like. I reckon our business is done me like. As long as their are no out goings i can't see us signin anyone else.
Jarra to be fair, you didn't need much. Hanging on to your better players was the priority. Do you think there will be bids for Tiote, Ben Arfa, Cabaye and Cisse? Bet you can't wait for 11pm next Friday? Lol
Just came to say grats on getting MJ. Quality player. Your team is really starting to look strong now, much like rest of the premier league. Should be a cracking season. I mean, look at our teams, everton, spurs, cracking competition, never can rule out arsenal and who knows, maybe even liverpool will compete (not really). The last couple of years I felt the premier league was becoming weaker, with some of the better teams like Boro leaving. But with Bolton and Blackburn gone the league has definitely gained some attractiveness imo. Can't wait for the derby.
Me neither and especially so if we get either Defoe or Dempsey in the next day or two. Bardsley and Brown should be back and all the New boys established. Both clubs will have match winners all over the pitch. Could be a belter.
Lot of talk round tiote but that is natural given arsenal have just sold song and man u and Chelsea have a reported interest. To be honest I think tiote going is the one we are most equipt to deal with. Ben arfa is the jewel in the crown for me though. He is the one I worry that bids will come for.
I suspect a LB will be the next target especially if Rico leaves, we still need to hang onto Sess, but I am certainly a much happier person going to the match this afternoon, although I am expecting a very hard game from Reading who will be in a honeymoon period following their promotion. I whilst not being Fletcher's fan am more than willing to be won over, I guess he will play sometime today. We have had a decent defence and midfield for a while, I am counting on A J being a creative midfielder, as well as a LB another forward is required, now we buy one or do we anticipate, one of the existing young un's stepping up.
What length of contract does Ben Arfa have left? He came on loan at first didnt he? If its a 5 year deal like a lot of the rest then maybe his price tag will put suitors off.
It's a dangerous game giving players 5 year contracts but it seems to have worked a treat so far for Pardew.
Fair enough. Unless there is a numb offer you cant refuse (aka Carroll) then it would be safe to assume he won tbe going. Cabaye and Tiote will be most at risk imo but again, the money required may put suitors off for another year.
The thing is, if we did get a stupid offer I'd be gutted to lose anyone but I can't put an argument forward against our transfer dealings over the past couple of years. That Carroll deal has transformed the club.
