Jozy Altidore believes Sunderland have signalled their intent for the new season with the likes of recent signings Jack Rodwell and Patrick van Aanholt. Dutch international van Aanholt is just 23 years old but like Rodwell he has experience at European and International level, featuring for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, Vitesse in the UEFA Europa League and the Netherlands on the international stage. The left-back also has experience of the English game thanks to loan spells with Coventry City, Newcastle United, Leicester City and Wigan Athletic, and Altidore believes Sunderland supporters will like what they see when the Dutchman takes to the field. âWe knew each other straight away from our time in Holland, he is a good player, a pacy player, and he will help the team. âHe loves to go forward but he is good defender too and he is very tough to beat, he is very energetic and the quality is absolutely there so I think the fans will be delighted with him.â The summer also saw the arrival of Rodwell from Manchester City, and Altidore hailed the clubâs capture of a young and exciting English player. âI think he has been unlucky in the past and I think he is going to help us a lot, it is great for the club to sign such a young and exciting English player. âHe is somebody who knows good football and can generate chances, so myself, Connor and Fletch are all excited to have him at the club.â Altidoreâs 2014 World Cup campaign ended due to injury just 23 minutes into the USAâs opening match against Ghana, and the forward is looking to put a frustrating time behind him and enjoy a positive season on Wearside. âLast season I had a lot to deal with off the field, I know people see us as footballers but we are people as well, and when that isnât right it is difficult to play. âNow I have got everything in line and I have got a great club, so I am looking forward to having a more positive season and helping the team finish a good position.â âThe biggest thing for me is that I am settled, and I couldnât be more excited about the new season.â ------------------------------------ As much as people fault the guy's technical ability from last season you cant fault his attitude Recognises he was ****e last year due to some personal problems but wants to forget about it move on and help the team and the club He also makes PVA sound like a bit of a hidden gem
I think people forget some of his contribution like winning the penalty at Chelsea, setting up Borini for the derby winner etc ....... assisted in some vital goals.
To be fair Comm, he's not a whinger and will wait for his chance ........ I hope he has a better season, he's not that bad imo.
HaHa, was wondering how long before you chimed in. Jozy gonna surprise you mate. Just wait. Definition of an optimist: Receives horsehit as a gift on Christmas morning, digs thru it all enthusiastically and when his parents asked why, he said, with this much horseshit, there's gotta be a pony in there somewhere!
Well he's certainly doesn't whinge, i'll give him that. If his football could match his likeability, he'd be world class. As it stands, he ain't gonna play, unless something happens to Fletcher and Wickham...Then he has to take his chance, it's all down to him.
I just don't see it with Altidore. I agree we can't fault his effort but is that really enough? There's thousands of footballers who try hard. He's been tested twice in the Premier league with two different clubs and failed on both occasions. His record is 2 goals in 58 premiership appearances, that must be one of the worst all time scoring records for a striker, surely? I've never agreed with his part in 'setting Borini up' either. He quite clearly tried to bring the ball under control but it bounced off him into Borinis path. If he plays next season then I obviously hope he proves me wrong, I just don't see it though.
Defining season for Jozy this. Make or break in his Sunderland career, I'm behind the big lad but it's down to him.
It was just an example off the top of my head ........ whatever the case he was still trying to win the match and was in the right place at the right time. He also stood off and allowed Borini to shoot instead of chasing the ball
@ TBE. PVA is no hidden gem, he was quality when he played for us for about half a dozen games. He's really good going forward. Wasted his time at chelsea the last three years though. I reckon you'll be surprised at how good he is. Hope I'm wrong like......
It's all about opinions with Altidore. He's split the fans right down the middle. For me, it's how long do you persist with a goalscorer that doesn't score?
Heskey was an England regular for years so it's hard to say. The fact is that he needs to score some goals this season or his confidence will be rock bottom.
He's not a goalscorer that doesn't score...In fact he's not a goalscorer at all. But he's a nice lad, so that's ok.
he's made 88 appearances in those 'wasted' three years. A developing player playing regularly. I don't call that a waste. His reward is being a first choice premier league fullback age 23. He's coming of age nicely thanks to his games time over the last 3 years.
