If we end up swapping Ki for a Sunderland player who do you think would be a good option? How about Connor Wickham? Young, British (an important consideration with our squad), can play up front and has the physical attributes to be a target man (6ft 3, 11.5st, athletic....20yrs old, so bags of energy) and has scored 6 goals in 8 games on loan at Sheff Wed in the Championship...so in good form at the moment. He has also lead the line for the England u-21s at major Championships (good experience for a youngster) and must be hungry after seemingly blowing his 1st chance in the Prem with Sunderland. A point to prove maybe. Has been known to do a job out wide also. A good pick? Who would you choose in this scenario?
Fletcher would be a better option , we have a very young squad atm and a proven scorer at this level is what's missing imo .
Ki didn't put a foot wrong in the match against Cardiff and setup Sunderland's equalizer at the end of the game. Looked very poised and always made space, found space, moved the ball forward. Why swap him off. Sunderland has nobody better.
I can't see us getting Ki back this season, him and Borini are far too important for Poyet's plans for Sunderland, don't see any other Sunderland player of interest, except the obvious like Fletch etc, and that's never going to happen. Poyet is on a mission, and I see Sunderland rising from the ashes, they will not be in the bottom three for much longer!.............
Why don't he play the Irish lad Donnelly give the kid a chance, up front and lets see what he can do, he s been scoring in the reserves I beleave.
I've always rated Fletcher but I couldn't see Sunderland selling him. I wouldn't mind Borini back here but he's a Liverpool player anyway. Ki might be looking good at Sunderland but any half decent midfielder would look good there as there is little competition. Still, he's obviously doing better but he would need to equal and better that form to get in our midfield on a regular basis - and regular football is what's led to his improvement. Obviously has talent but needs to produce it consistently.
I'd like to see Donnelly being given a few run outs, can't do no harm and surely has to be better than Alvaro, but clearly Laudrup must think he isn't ready, strange though given the way he threw Ben Davies into the deep end? if needs must, then lets see him have a few games.
Have you watched any of Ki's games recently Ivor? I think he has come on leaps and bounds, and is running the midfield very well for Sunderland, not easy given the managerial turmoil there, and the change of style from hoofball. Poyet is clearly playing the game out from the back, and Sunderland are starting to look a very good passing side, and Ki is at the heart of it, fair play to him!....................
Would Ki start in front of DeGuzman / Shelvey ? probably not , Borini has I believe a season loan with Sunderland ,Fletcher hasn't played a lot recently and there were rumours that Hull were going to have a cheeky bid on him next month.
We still own Ki, let's keep him. Also why would we want Wickham? Doesn't suit our style of play and he's proven to be crap at Pl level so far, despite his age.
I wouldn't mind giving Fletcher a go, I think he'd slot right in with us. Borini wouldn't be possible in January would he? Hasn't he played for Liverpool early on in the season? If so he wouldn't be eligible to play for a 3rd club in a season
Given a fair crack of the whip I think Ki could easily compete with JDG or Shelvey for a place. Ki is Mr. Consistent on the field - hardly ever puts a foot wrong. Shelvey blows hot and cold
There would be very little point in signing Steven Fletcher. We've already got one excellent striker who gets no support so why bother bringing another one in?