First posting for a long while from me although I have been keeping my eye on the ebb and flow of the close season debate. I determined to keep my assessment of our ins and outs to myself until at least the start of the new season, and I actually think we will still do a little bit more business yet before the end of te window - both in and out of the club. Very early days of course, but I was very pleased with the result yesterday albeit slightly surprised by the lack of new blood actuallly in the starting 11 - but those that were made a telling difference. To be completely honest on another day Liverpool might have been out of sight by 30 minutes but we rode our luck a little and then came into the game and ultimately fully deserved the draw. Brown's comments about the half time chat for me were very revealing, and suggest that players with that elusive 'winning (or rather not loosing) mentality' have indeed been added to our squad and that provided the platform yesterday to get something from a game that we would typically have let get away from us in the past. Brown appeared to be immense in the middle of the defence and clearly has a quiet but clear influence on those around him as the game unfolded and I'm sure in the sanctuary of the half time dressing room. Seb then had the coolness and ability to convert his chance with clinical precision when it came around, and these factors are effectively what separates those who win things in sport from the also rans. Next week the cauldron of the Wear-Tyne Derby will provide another early test of our metal and I expect our new squad to be better able to deal with the occasion than was the case last season when many froze. So early days but encouraging signs, Richardson for me however is no left back and yesterday highlighted why. He desrves to be in the squad I think for the flexibility he can bring but not in the starting 11. So I hope we fix that area of the team sooner rather than later (O'shea at right back - Bardo back to the left handside? if no further signings are made). Anyway looking forward to the new campaign, and I extend my best wishes to fellow Sunderland fans for the new season. Ha'way the lads!
Blackcat - Endorse SAFCOL's view on an "Excellent post mate". Agree with your still more business to do thoughts, we NEED another striker - the current "4" - Gyan, Whickham, Dong Wan and (a converted midfielder) Sessegnon, are firstly not enough as there WILL be injuries, secondly - NONE are out and out goal scorers and last but not least both Whickham and Dong Wan have NOT played at the PL level. The immediate need to round out the squad is a proven striker. The LB and LM needs are not as pressing, Bardo/O'Shea will do the job at LB, and between Colback/Vaughan/Larsson/Sess/KR we have an abundance of players who can do a job until that position is properly filled. Haven't come across Brown's HT comments - have you a link or can you post?
This is the link Rokerlad; SAFC site: http://www.safc.com/news/20110813/brown-half-time-chat-was-key_2256213_2419460
Cheers Blackcat, a bit of an insight into the team/squad mentality!! Thought his very last comment on ".....the more I play, the better I'll get" verged on the erotic for SAFC supporters!!
Cheers Blackcat, a bit of an insight into the team/squad mentality!! My point exactly Roker. As for the erotic angle you've introduced . . . I probably wouldn't get quite that excited personally - but hey, each to their own
Can't agree mate our left side is woeful just watched the game on Sky recorded from last night and most of the Liverpool attacks came down that side and, that is the first game of the season so other teams will know that now especially them up the road for next week. We've all said that a striker is a priority from the end of last season and with Gyan injured now (anyone know how bad?) it means we are left with 2 inexperienced and one converted striker. As for the half time team talk it's sounds like SB has finally got the grasp of it with a bit of help from the older lads.
Talc, please don't get me wrong - we do require an out and out LB and LM - NOT knocking Bardo as he has been outstanding. But as seems to me, the requirements of a Striker, LB and LM can not be met ALL AT THIS TIME due to availability of transfer funds/wage costs, and possibly not fitting in with SAFC revenues?? If I take this to be the case then (unless we have all positions lined up to be filled) SB has to prioritise!? My opinion (for what it's worth) is 1. A Striker, 2. LM, then specialist LB. Reasoning is that at LB we have Bardo/O'Shea, and either do a good job in being able to defend at that pos, and the plethora of players who can play at LM - but no-one who is a natural there. It's the (lack of) numbers and unproven nature of the strikeforce that concerns me most - of the needs that are apparent. I couldn't get tickets for L'pool, but did see the Hibs game, and there (until KR came off) the LS was woeful but got a bit better with Bardo replacing him! Those are the priorities for me, mind, nowt to say I'm right!!!
