Did you miss the fact that I said the word some? As in meaning 'not all'. It also hasn't stopped us getting some quality in over the years either. My point was that our location is a hindrance in terms of attracting players - do you disagree with that?
I for one totally agree with this ^^^ Alex Ferguson once famously said that even Man Utd at times struggled to attract signings due to location & that some players would rather play for Brentford than Man U cause it's closer to the London Shops.
He only needs to or three more by his own admission. Is Short going to let him walk over couple of players given all that was put in to getting him here? It's screw turning at it best. The ultimatum will be on it's way soon. Will Short let him walk? Is the big question for me, not will Dick walk.
I think the problem is more operation costs rather than outright debt. We're running in the red, a bulk sum won't get us running in the black as a viable business. I'm sure the bulk sum need from transfers can be taken from the club rather then Shorts own pocket. We've had two(or is it three?) big tv deals now, the debt most be covered by now
If its all about location, buy a training set up in Surrey and bus them up here just for the match day x
I have to disagree marra... Q. When choosing a holiday destination do you pick: a. somewhere with decent facilities b. somewhere with nice weather c. somewhere with nice weather and plenty to do Most people I imagine would go for 'C'... And that's not Sunderland is it !?!? Money means nowt to the modern day footballer (most have enough already).. If I was moving somewhere for 3 years I'm sure I'd make sure my family were happy to relocate (regardless of the training facilities). We've had bids accepted for players before now and they've said 'NO' due to their wives not fancying the local area. Roy Keane quoted this on numerous occasions.
If DA is getting Ola Thingy in that doesn't suggest he's leaving, buying players he knows and if this guy signs then that's three of his ex players doesn't make sense if he is thinking of walking out, convinced he's backing ES into a corner, but who will blink first.
Well we will have to disagree. Mags get them. Boro get them. Do you think an african player thinks. Oh **** im not going to sunderland. Me tart wants to shop in oxford street. Its down to money. **** all else. Location. My arse.
It is down to location.... But you are correct, MONEY overrides all !! Give anyone enough money and they will do or go anywhere (that's a different argument) Bryan Robson openly admitted he tricked Emerson into signing... Telling him how close Boro was to London (albeit via Teeside Airport)!
What I was attempting to get across (as I'm sure you know)!... Is that in any scenario in life, wether that be working environment or planning a holiday any rational individual will assess the pro's & con's of all his options. Weather, Location, money, essential amenities etc etc. Scenario 1... If you were offered a job (with the same money) in Halifax or Falmouth where would you go? FALMOUTH obviously as its a beautiful place to live (no offence to Halifax by the way before anyone starts!) Scenario 2... The Halifax 'branch' now offer you an extra grand a week !?! Where do you go to work? HALIFAX... **** it, I'll buy an umbrella !!! Location, Location, Location ..... Until MONEY makes the decision for you !!
I think location plays a part but that can be over ridden with money. Newcastle and boro paid their big signings massive amounts to get them in the NE. Man City paid massive amounts to attract players when they could not offer European football. Our problem is we don't pay big money like other premier league clubs. To get a next level signing up here we are probably going to have to pay 80 - 100k a week. Its a big investment and possibly not a sensible one, but once quality players come and the club moves up the league other quality players will want to come. The problem is that financial investment is massive. 200m is probably required above the sky money to do a "Man City" or "Chelsea"
How about the players that don't want to come here for supposedly the location are a little short sighted. The north east has some of the best countryside and coasts in the UK. If the wags want to go shopping, what's the difference between the Trafford centre and the metro centre? Its only half an hour by plane to Londinium if they fancy a big posh shop!! Location isn't all its made out to be for me. Take into account the weather and there is a little difference between down south and the North East coast. Maybe that has a little influence as well as being "so far away from the capital"?
Restaurants... some of the best in the world in London.These people barely ever make food at home. Shopping... the metro centre doesn't have a Selfridges, Manchester also has Harvey Nic's, boutique designer shops and high end jewellers, not to mention every top end car manufacturer have showrooms in Cheshire. The plane to London in half hour is pointless, you have to go to the airport, check in, fly, get out of the airport, find your way across London... farce. Houses... Cheshire and London/Home counties... nothing in the North East can compete. Having said that, it's no excuse, agents will force their players into Sunderland if the pound is right, some of these players come from Eastern Europe, Africa, Russia, South America... not all of them are coming from Milan or Paris!
I totally agree... Some players can't see what's on offer up here. But even I as northerner I know we have nothing compared to the 'big' cities.. That's a fact. As someone who works abroad I get sick of having to explain 'where I'm from' when asked the question. All I ever get asked is.. "Is it near London / Manchester" ?!?
