Looks like this deal is all but done. Personally I know nothing about the lad? I hear he's a holding midfielder, so could this be the end of Catts?? Hopefully it will be Cabal who gets shipped out cause he'll be on 20k+ a week, doing absolutely nowt. He couldnt even make the team against Carlisle! Sunderland are closing in on a move for Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt, according to reports. Sky Sports last night claimed on their live Transfer Blog that an agreement with the South Coast club is close and a deal could be in place before Wednesday. It has felt inevitable that the 24-year-old would be a priority target from the second that Gus Poyet was appointed and it is believed that talks opened for the midfielder, once described as 'good enough for Real Madrid' by the Uruguayan, opened before the window actually did. Of course, Bridcutt isn't good enough for Madrid. Never believe what a manager says about a player they know they might have to sell at some point. But it would still represent a smart piece of business. For a fee probably between £3-4m mark, the Black Cats would get a player who knows Poyet's system and the responsibilities of a key position within it inside out. He would also inject some much needed pace into the side too. One point of note is that if Bridcutt does arrive he will not be eligible for Sunderland's League Cup campaign having featured as an 84th minute substitute in Brighton's first round defeat to Newport back in August. However, as things stand, he would be available for FA Cup matches
Cabral who? Christ knows what has occurred with this lad since Hong Kong and Fulham game but it's obvious he isn't going to be part of anyone's plans here so yes, I think it will be his departure feeing up funds for Bridcutt. Can Bridcutt cut the mustard? Why not give him a chance?
Bridcutt is the kind of player we need. He has the potential to step up and be a good premier league player. If he can make the step up and help drag us towards safety then brilliant. If we do go down, we have a proper class championship player to build a midfield around. Its a win win really
20K wages for Cabral? I reckon you can double that, we beat off a few teams for him and he walked away from Champions league football. Cabral Larsson and Gardner off the wage bill would be grand business in January. If we can get transfer fees for them even better.
I wouldn't worry about a clear out. That is happening! 9 players are out of contract, they will go in the summer. A massive clearing of wages. How many of those 9 have enhanced their careers? Colback would be it for me. Finally we are starting to see some of the summer signings given a chance. I can only hope this continues.
AGAIN!!! Completely agree - we need the "big earners" off the books or their contracts renewed on significantly less money (perhaps with performance bonuses so if they were ****e then we don;t have to pay them - wouldn't that be a good way of running a club!). Gardner would be a decent player in the Championship so just delay contract talks until we know where we're playing Re Colback ()As tony was saying) - are we not entitled to some sort of fee as he came through the academy and we invested time in him
I know nothing about Bridcutt but If we do sign him the lad has to given a chance before any of us can judge him. We do need a major clear out now/in the summer. Dossena Larsson Cuellar Cabral Vaughan Gardner Cattermole Ji Graham Wickham Jozy Diakite All have to go IMO IF we go down I would keep Wickham. Gus has his work cut out but we are not out of it yet the next 5 games will make or break our season.
Cabral won't be on big wages, I heard we got him Roberge and Diakite on the same wages combined as what Bramble was on on his own.
Cabral will be on very little mate. We've clearly got a wage structure in place now. Giacc is only on 28k a week, all those who received contracts under Quinny as chairman are rumoured to be on ridiculous money for their capabilities. Fortunately most of them are either in their last year or in their 2nd to last.
Wouldn't be surprised to see the back of Catts when Bridcutt joins. He plays in the dm role Poyet likes and I imagine Cattermole will be on far too much to be a back-up/part of a rotation Would then like us to sign a more attacking midfielder as well as Bridcutt
I don`t. I think Larsson is an expensive luxury. Gus knows the style of football he wants to play. He knows Bridcutt. Bridcutt knows him. Wouldn`t be considered if he didn`t think it would be a plus. I trust Gus to know what he`s doing and if he thinks Bridcutt will fit in with his plans that`s fine by me.
I've gone right off Larsson. Working hard enough, but his passing and crossing seem to have gone all to pot.
Sky Sports have been reporting for a couple of days that Sunderland are on the verge of signing Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt, and supposedly they hope to have that deal complete by the middle of this week. Beyond obviously knowing Bridcutt from his time at Brighton, it’s not a surprise to see Gus Poyet make a move for the 24 year-old – Bridcutt is a good technical player, decent passer, and can perform a number of useful functions both with and without the ball. He’s not a good enough player to displace someone like Ki Sung-Yeung, but he’s more than capable of challenging Jack Colback and Lee Cattermole for a place in Poyet’s side – and will be a good-fit for the short-passing philosophy that the Uruguayan is trying to install at The Stadium Of Light. He’s not going to be be a team-changing signing, but he’ll be a useful player. Here are some stats from his season-to-date in the Championship: – Has made 8 starts and 3 substitute appearances. – Has scored 0 goals and provided 0 assists. – Has been yellow-carded twice. – Is averaging 0.9 shots per game. – Has completed 81.2% of his passes. – Has won 11 of the 25 aerial duels that he’s contested. – Is averaging 2.8 successful tackles per game. – Is averaging 1.5 interceptions per game. – Has completed 29 of the 63 long-passes that he’s attempted. – Has created 5 goal-scoring opportunities for Brighton this season. – Has completed 4 successful dribbles. – Plays an average of 52.2 passes per game.
He is playing for a different manager in a different style, would be interesting to see his stats under Poyet and his philosophy.
