Right folks before I ask I must say that I'm happy with the players we have signed so far but think to improve on last season we need two more players (and of course ship a few out). To improve on a top ten finish or indeed dream of top 6/8 we need a quality signing either in the form of a left sided midfielder or Striker or if I was greedy (which I am) both.
I was thinking about this earlier. brown>mensah Oshea>Onuoha Vaughan>Zenden Larssen>Hendo Ji dong won>welbeck wickham>bent I think the list on the right is stronger. Dilemma!
Apart from the two forwards I disagree Parker... However Labradoodle eater could prove to have a better season than Wellbeck. Sess seems to be coming good. I reckon we need a couple of quality signings and then we're laughing.
I think we'll have to reserve judgement until October at least for Wickham and Ji, but of the others, Brown, because Mensah was shocking the last part of the season Onouoha, but we probably won't get him Vaughan, he'll play many more games than Zenden Hendo, a better player, but 20 mil as opposed to free, I'd take Larssen
I don't think the actual quality and ability of your starting 11 has improved over last season. Larsson, Gardner, O'Shea, Brown, Wickham and so on are not better players than your existing players (Gardner is the best one there but he replaced Henderson so it sort of cancelled itself out). I think it would be a bit offensive to the existing Sunderland squad to say that they are. Does anyone actually think that you guys can put out a stronger and better starting 11 with the new signings compared to the squad you guys had last season? Genuine question. I'll only be happy with Newcastles transfer window if we bring in players which will increase the quality and ability of our squad. So far, Cabaye is a much better CM performer than Nolan, and Ba is a far superior striker compared to the ****e we currently have. That's why I'm rather happy with that.
When it's put down in black and white like that parkersafc I think you are thinking like me. I'm not a doom and gloom merchant but because of the numbers coming into the club we have been slightly blind sinded as in all honesty we needed that many to fill in for those leaving. The issue is are we any better off in terms of quality and strength if for instance (surely can't happen again) we have another injury crisis.
Two different questions in my eyes. Stronger first 11, no. Probably equivalent in defence and midfield but lacking a Bent one up top. Stronger squad, yes. Does this mean we'll finish higher, even if we don't sign anyone? I'd like to think so. Hopefully we won't be susceptible to another injury crisis with a bit more strength in depth. Saying that, still need to sign a striker and a LW. I won't be disappointed if we don't, but I'll be delighted if we do, and then I'd probably say we'd have a stronger squad AND a stronger first 11.
Gardner in for Riveros Westwood too! and Sessegnon for the whole season, is likely to be a much improved player and Gyan, will be fit from the start and a better player Its not just numbers, but how they blend together as a team and squad. Colback is also a new face for the whole season and others like Elmo will improve second time round. I like the squad it has more potential, but we all know that a true replacement for Bent, is the final addition that is needed. Then we can judge the team and squad to be an improvement on last season.
i think we are a little, not alot stronger, however we are not going to have loan players all over the shop, which is something i just hate. These players are ours and i feel alot better like that
I worry that our pre season dosn't seem to be going great - not results wise but in the fact that new players don't seem to be being given time to gel and players already have hamstring niggles and such. Three of our new signings have injuries, Brown O'shea and Westwood. I get the feeling our season is going to be shaped by these players, if they come good we will be much better at the back, if they are injured all the time or are poor, it doesn't bare thinking about - guess that's what makes us love football.
I am of the opinion that the sqad as it is today is significantly stronger than the one that started last season but paradoxically I think that the 1st eleven at the start of last season was stronger than todays probable 1st eleven on a an individual player by player performance analysis. However I do believe that bruce will put together a more workmanlike team which will out perforn the team of last year ,especially in the consistancy stakes.If we get another quality senior striker and a quality left winger I will be much happier,as I am concerned with the effect on the team psychologically if our only seniour striker gets injured early on in the season or heaven forbid sold before Sept 1st.
When put like that, no we are not stronger. But Gardner is missing of the list, our best new recruit imo. Still happy with the squad though
yep been a long few days since the original thread was made...... are we any wiser to the question though... Is this squad or team stronger...
when we get a big name goal scorer it will release sess to his sensable possition WIDE LEFT untill then god knows what bruce will do
http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/68916-Dealings-Done?p=890866#post890866 I'm exited and nervous, IMO we don't have as much quality as the start of last season but with less loanees and a more workman like style of players being brought in we won't be bullied as much next season. To me we are an unknown but if we don't get anymore in I can't see us improving on last season in the final placing that is (10th). Still as I've said we are an unknown so as usual being a Sunderland fan will again have its ups and downs.
