He had an ankle injury which was the issue from Scotland game then got a dislocated shoulder - 2 totally unrelated injuries and, although he still doesn;t look match fit, his injury record isn;t bad at all. He's not like Cattermole has been. I hope we keep hold of him personally as he's a very good striker. Instinctive - which is something Altidore isn't IMO. But we desperately need goals from somewhere
Celtic: Neil Lennon confirms interest in striker Steven Fletcher Celtic manager Neil Lennon says he would be interested in Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher - at the right price. Lennon aims to bolster his attacking options in January with a view to next season's European campaign. Sunderland signed Scotland international Fletcher, 26, from Wolves for £14m in August 2012. Pressed on the Fletcher link, Lennon said: "(He's) a very expensive player, (it's) just speculation." Lennon added: "I can't say any more than that but he's a player most teams in Britain would like." The former Hibernian forward has also starred for Burnley during his playing career in England. Speaking earlier this week, Lennon revealed that he had money to spend but it depends on "getting the right price and the right player". And he intends to hold talks with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell on his list of targets. Celtic are keen to retain Georgios Samaras and Joe Ledley, who are both out of contract in the summer. Ledley scored the only goal of the game as Celtic got 2014 off to a winning start, with victory at home to Partick.
@1034SunFM ‪#‎Safc‬ boss Poyet says they haven't received any bids for Steven Fletcher. Hull & Celtic are being linked with the striker
People expecting to sell Fletcher for 12m are in absolute dream land. Just because we had our pants down and finished off when we bought him, we can't expect other teams to pay the same. When we got him most people knew we had paid about 5m too much and the most we could get for him now will be 6m-7m maximum, IMO.
Agree with this totally, should we sell him, it's a yes from me. Saw him rip us a new arse when he played for Burnley at our place but the lad will never be an out and out goalscorer. Had he been then Hibs would have been playing Champions League a few years ago and either Wolves or Burnley would have still been in the Prem..
Too much panic on this thread, let Gus bring a few in and keep what we have. If the worst happens there are loan signings and people out of contract this summer. If not for Cattemoles mistake (which happens) and a sh*t linesman we would have stuffed Villa. KTF Lads.
Geordie in peace. Heard this rumour a few months ago via some Celtic message board regulars. Apparently since he moved in with his mam in County Durham his motivation has slipped further, he wants away and his attitude stinks. Apparently Sunderland want rid as they don't see him as being up for the fight. Bearing in mind newspapers have been known to take message board rumours and run with them, this could be total rubbish stemming from there, or the original chatter wasn't baseless. Having seen our club relegated with players who didn't care it's not what you need. That said when I've seen Fletcher this season he's a million miles away from the likes of Viduka and Geremi.
No panic from me mate and don't quite know where you get that from. The discussion was Fletcher to which a lot of opinions have been aired No one pretends to be Gus, they watch the matches, they say their bit..
By Geordie, I take it you mean you are a Skunk or Mag in peace..Rememer: loads of Geordies also happen to be Sunderland fans..
I think Fletcher will be sold if a bid comes in as he will be cheaper if relegated. I think we are preparing for life in the championship
Hate to think so Tony, by selling Fletcher for me is a plus given the circumstances. Only 4 points adrift, lots to play for and someone to stick it into the net regular will do for me and we get out of this ****. Unfortunately I cannot see Fletcher doing that so an alternative is very welcome..
I think Fletcher is a decent striker, but his style does not suit the passing game we have adopted and he is finding it difficult to adapt.
Facts are, if we sell Fletch, we will not be able to attract a player likely able to score as many goals. Simple as that. He's off form, but he could come back into it. Scocco will not sign for a bottom of the league team, it's fantasy island, which means we are looking at Championship level, Rhodes? Ings? Both would cost as much as the Fletcher sale, & although both look Prem ready, neither offers a guarantee. The smart move is on keeping Fletch & looking for a loan striker from overseas, but then, who the **** will loan out a striker of any ability in January? A striker who has immensely impressed me this season is Ciro Immobile of Torino. Now, if our Italian scouting team are any good they will have noted a 23-year old Juventus breed forward who is scoring 1 in 2, leading the line line, running intelligently & is good air & feet. Supposedly on well under 10k a week. No, we'll sell Fletch and give Altidore the number 9 shirt, cos as a club, if we find talent, we sell it. Always have, always will.
Totally agree, the lad looks lost. When I did football at school many years ago it was all about passing, been able to shoot and keep the ball down so what the fcuk went wrong..
Good statement and we will have to see what happens. Most clubs outside sell their best talent, it's been going on for years and well before the money monopoly of the Premiership. What we need is a good, old fashioned centre forward who can bang them in. Fletcher will no way on earth do that week in week out so out of my head get someone like Ba in, short term fix & can score..
Mate, Ba would be incredible, but the club just doesn't carry that ambition. 100k a week 20 weeks or so to stay in the league? Will we ****. Short has been good for the club, but I don't see any desire in him to take us further. Books have been largely balanced, that's why the likes of Southampton have passed us with similar spend from further back. We are constantly plugging holes in the side, they are building on top of foundations, I still feel we can scrape it & stay up, but I have no belief in the club progressing, none whatsoever, & that is a killer mate.
splendid post , considering the state we are in at the moment with no goals being scored is it time to take a chance with rhodes ,he scores in nearly every or every other game at present , he knows where the net is and thats whats missing ,if we get relegated he is the ideal forward to get us back into the prem as he is a proven chance taker in the championship, having said this i hope watmore gets a chance in this cup game this weekend as he is very much like rhodes .
