please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Sweet, hopefully we can stop panicking and let Conger do his job.
Don't know why I made it a match day thread please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
please log in to view this image Jeremain Lens: The first interview Published: 15 July, 2015 by Oscar Chamberlain New signing talks exclusively to safc.com. Jeremain Lens is ready to take the Barclays Premier League by storm following his move to Sunderland. The highly-rated Dutch international, who joined the club from Dynamo Kiev on Thursday, can’t wait to get started after penning a four-year deal on Wearside, and he believes everything is in place for him to make an instant impact. Lens has previously worked with Dick Advocaat on two occasions with AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven, enjoying his best goalscoring season under the head coach’s guidance. And speaking to safc.com the 27-year-old explained what Sunderland supporters can look forward to when he steps out at the Stadium of Light and beyond. “I’m very happy to be a Sunderland player,” said Lens. “I think it is a good club and it is a great step for me to play in the Barclays Premier League. “I followed the team last season following the arrival of Dick Advocaat and we have a good team, so as I said I’m really happy to be here.” He continued: “I’ve played for the Dutch national team and played a lot of games in Europe, but the Barclays Premier League is the main test so it will be really good to play some games here. “I can play on the left wing, on the right wing and also as a forward, my qualities are that I’m fast, I can score goals and I can create chances so I’m hope that the supporters will see a lot of my qualities this season. “I watched the derby against Newcastle United and the supporters were really amazing, so I’ve got a good impression of the fans and I hope they support us in the same way during the new season.”
Great news just seen it on the SAFC site, he scored 5 goals for Holland in their last world cup group !, he does not dilly dally about either.
“I followed the team last season following the arrival of Dick Advocaat and we have a good team, so as I said I’m really happy to be here.” He continued: “I’ve played for the Dutch national team and played a lot of games in Europe, but the Barclays Premier League is the main test so it will be really good to play some games here. “I can play on the left wing, on the right wing and also as a forward, my qualities are that I’m fast, I can score goals and I can create chances so I’m hope that the supporters will see a lot of my qualities this season. “I watched the derby against Newcastle United and the supporters were really amazing, so I’ve got a good impression of the fans and I hope they support us in the same way during the new season.”[/QUOTE] Hmm...reckon Advocaat has had him on his radar since the new year. I smell a lovely sneaky clever rat !!!
Netherlands international signs four-year deal. Sunderland AFC has confirmed the signing of Dutch international forward Jeremain Lens. The 27-year-old, who plays as a striker or on the wing, has joined from Ukrainian side FC Dynamo Kyiv for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year deal. Lens has played in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, reaching the quarter-finals of the latter competition last season. Having worked with Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat at PSV and AZ Alkmaar, the two are now reunited on Wearside. Speaking about the move, Sunderland’s Head Coach said: “We have signed an international player and I am delighted to welcome him to Sunderland. “He is a very well-known player in Europe and has played over 30 games for the Dutch national side, which shows his calibre. “I have worked with him twice already, at PSV and AZ, so I know him well; he is fast and he has scored goals everywhere he has played so that will help the team.” The Amsterdam-born forward has been capped 30 times by his native Holland, scoring eight goals. Lens began his career with AZ Alkmaar picking up an Eredivisie winners’ medal in 2008-09, before moving to PSV in May 2010, working again with Advocaat when he took charge of the club in 2012, while the player has won Dutch Super Cups with both clubs. Overall, Lens scored 34 league goals in 96 games for PSV, where he won the KNVB Cup in 2011-12. Speaking about the signing, the Black Cats sporting director Lee Congerton added: “We’re absolutely delighted to sign a player of Jeremain’s quality, who has Champions League experience and is a regular for Holland, one of the world’s strongest national teams.” “He’s a direct and quick player with or without the ball and those characteristics are something we’ve been lacking as a side.” The forward moved to Kyiv in June 2013 and enjoyed a successful two seasons with the club, winning the Ukrainian cup in his first campaign and following up with a league and cup double last season. Lens was part of the Dutch side which finished third at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He also played a key role in helping the side qualify under Louis van Gaal, scoring five goals and adding five assists during the group qualification stage.
Great stuff, seems like a cracking player and I can't wait to see what he can do. Sounds like real quality.
TOP TEN: Jeremain Lens Published: 15 July, 2015 by Oscar Chamberlain All you need to know about SAFC's newest recruit. Jeremain Lens has played under head coach Dick Advocaat on two previous occasions for AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven. During his time with AZ he won the 2008-09 Eredivisie title and the 2009 Johan Cruijjf Shield. He won the Johan Cruijjf Shield for a second time in 2012 after playing a key role in PSV’s 2011-12 KNVB cup-winning campaign. The Amsterdam-born forward scored 21 goals in 40 appearances in his final season for PSV. Last season Lens was part of the double-winning Dynamo Kiev side who lifted the Ukrainian Premier League and the Ukrianian Cup. Lens also won the Ukrainian Cup during his debut season with Kiev. Lens scored on his Netherlands debut in a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in August 2010. In 2014 Lens was part of the Netherlands’ side who finished third at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. During the road to Brazil Lens scored five goals and registered five assists for Louis van Gaal’s side in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Lens’ overall record at international level is an impressive one with the forward notching eight goals in 30 appearances.
Hmm...reckon Advocaat has had him on his radar since the new year. I smell a lovely sneaky clever rat !!![/QUOTE] Sounds like Dick knows what he wants from his team and has a plan, personally i'm excited by his signings so far and if his 'rumoured' signing come to fruition then we'll be fine this season. I have faith again.
Absolute bargain. If he can't inject some attacking life into us, then nobody can. Now for a CB (or two) and a CM... Fletch out for a new striker in would also be on my to do list. That would give something like this (a very meaty squad and best bench I've ever seen us trot out): Starting Pants Matthews, O'Shea, New Rock CB, Van A Catts, Rodwell (assuming his heart shows up) AJ (assuming... you know), New AM/CM, Lens Defoe or Wickham Bench: Coates (to hopefully replace O'Shea in the starting lineup sooner rather than later) Brown Second CB purchase (I really think we need one who can also play LB/RB if needed) Seb (to start if Rodwell's heart continues to go missing) Giacc (what a luxury to have if he's fit - could make a case to start as AM) Gomez Wickham or Defoe Fletch's replacement Alvarez? Jones Pickford Mannone (if he stays)
