STEVEN Fletcher was enjoying a taste of home yesterday after a weekend visit by his football pal James McFadden. The Sunderland striker was thrilled when his mate brought him some Irn-Bru and caramel shortcake when he visited his Tyneside pad. An excited Fletcher, 25, yesterday tweeted a picture of the stash of Scottish treats. He added: “Got to thank my boy James McFadden for bringing me three glass bottles of Irn-Bru and a few slices of caramel cake. #goodtimes.” A few hours later he added: “One bottle down, two more to go. Think I’ll spread them over the week.” That soon got a response from the official Twitter site of Scotland’s other national drink, who said: “You can’t be rationing the BRU! We’ll send you some more.” Fletcher, who became Scotland’s most expensive footballer when he joined Sunderland for £14million in the summer, later joked that he might return the empty to pocket the 30p refund. He joked: “Just noticed 30p return these days on the glass bottles. It used to be less than that when I used to take them to the van. “I’ve not been to the van in ages. I used to buzz off the sound of the van coming up the street.” I'm surprised he didn't bring him any "tablet". We used to bring piles of it back after being on holiday up there.
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...ks-with-ex-everton-forward-mcfadden-1-4979912 Looks like he's being signed up. SUNDERLAND will look to open talks with former Everton attacker James McFadden this week after the Scot impressed on trial at the Academy of Light. The 29-year-old free agent was at the Stadium of Light on Saturday to watch Sunderland beat Wigan after a fortnight training with Martin O’Neill’s men. Sunderland boss O’Neill revealed that after days of good work on the training ground, the Wearsiders are prepared to talk to a player who is equally comfortable up front or in midfield. The Sunderland manager said: “We’ll see how it goes but he has done well and we’ll talk.” The Black Cats are likely to offer McFadden a short-term deal after becoming convinced he would be an ideal squad man for the long season ahead. Sunderland are not blessed with an abundance of numbers after registering just 21 out of a possible 25 senior players with the Premier League, following the end of the summer’s transfer window. And McFadden offers an experienced option for O’Neill after appearing 168 times in the top flight and 48 times for Scotland during his career. McFadden was released by Everton in the summer after his second spell at Goodison Park lasted a solitary season, with just seven league appearances for the Toffees. But the campaign at least allowed McFadden the chance to prove his fitness after the conclusion of his career at Birmingham City was blighted by cruciate knee ligament damage. The Scotland international spent the summer training with boyhood club Motherwell and the SPL side offered him a contract to return to Fir Park. But McFadden rejected the opportunity, preferring to remain in England, with Championship duo Hull and Huddersfield both keeping tabs on the frontman. O’Neill, who was close to signing McFadden when manager of Celtic, leaped to the front of the queue by offering him a chance to train at the Academy of Light and he could now follow Louis Saha and Carlos Cuellar by becoming the third Bosman arrival on Wearside this season.
He may not be a name many may want but for me he has the experience at this level and can play various roles. It doesn't look like Campbell, Ji or Wickham have the managers confidence up front, so we do need new faces to support Saha and Fletcher.and a 1 season rolling contract would suit everyone. I'm comfortable with him coming tbh.
Can't really go wrong with him signing, will only be a year deal and if he impresses will get an extension at the end of the season.
I know that but my point was more that he also offers that front cover which Mon obviously has doubts on current cover. Johnson can play either flank and we have McClean and Larsson too. I think he is a Fletcher style and build player and will cover there too.
Neither offended, nor excited by it. He COULD be a very good signing, if he can get near his form of 3/4 years back. If not, I doubt the clubs outlay will be much, so it's a calculated risk.
did he get many chances at Everton Sho? think his career has been marred by injury and bad form hasnt it?
Had plenty of chances mate, bar the odd wonder goal he was absolute ****e. No where near premier league quality.
Absolute ****e? Hope he doesnt score against you when we play then or this will make your team - worse than absolute ****e? Lol
