Not as well equipped as last time ? What ? Last time we had no manager, no morale, a team that lost 6 - 1 to Leyton Orient pre-season and a fan base that was actively debating whether a true fan should support the team or boycott games. This season we have the best manager we have had in at least a decade, better morale than a relegated team should be able to hope for and a fan base who can't wait for the season to start. This "British Spine" business is bollocks. You need players who are committed, doesn't matter where they were born. I am confident that the ones who are around at the beginning of the season (or at least at the close of the window) will be.
I think it would be a very good idea to get in a few players who have championship experience. They are likely to be british. If so, everyone will be happy.
Definitely sticking £20 on NUFC beating the points record and Sunderland going down at 80/1. In football, what goes around comes around - remember Villa's disgusting fans laughing it up when we got relegated last time? Well which sorry mob even paid for a plane with banner this year......
I disagree I this current lot are mentally weaker. Hopefully Benitez will sort this out. Talent wise they may be better but commitment, knowledge of the game here (which we've always disagreed on) these lot are not as good as what we went down with last time. I also think the talent in our current squad is massively overrated by many of our fans. We went down because are a poor side who had a poor manager in McClaren, who bought players who were not ready to hit the ground running. A lack of knowledge of the league in our squad, and a lack of fight when things weren't going well bit us royally on the arse. Its the same players, there is no hiding from it. Benitez tried his best but he couldn't get them to do enough. When it mattered against Villa, the weak will came to the forefront. I think results over a long period of time show quite conclusively that a british spine is not bollocks. Indeed there is a reason why the likes of Mourinho, Ferguson, Robson etc insisted upon it. It works.
This lot do seem mentally weaker, however we wouldn't have had much faith in the mental fortitude of our previous relegation squad at the time. Also, it could be argued we only need a striker, a CB and a RB to potentially have an entirely British starting 11. Say we signed McCormack and Caulker: Armstrong, McCormack Aarons, Colback, Shelvey, Townsend Dummett, Lascelles, Caulker, New RB Elliott/Darlow
Agree with Fredd on this one. I don't think the fans did over rate the team. The team definitely under performed significantly due to poor management and tactics. Rafa in his spell showed what that team were capable of as demonstrated by the 6 game unbeaten run at the end. Has a team ever been relegated from the PL with an unbeaten 6 game run at the end? Consider what we should be capable of after a transfer window for Rafa and a pre season preparation under Rafa. So long as we retain the right players we should at least be in the mix and more likely fighting the play offs. Buy the right players to supplement the right ones retained and we should be in the automatic places.
Was also thinking this actually...I really don't think it's happened before, the team that puts the run together has always stayed up. Agree the squad was poor, but it wasn't THAT poor, more a case of key players not being bothered, and above all the fact that McClaren was horrendous. The likes of Cisse, Colo, Saylor and Thauvin are genuinely crap, but once this lot were out the team, it was obvious we had a decent team when they bothered...never underestimate how dreadful McClaren is, he would have got Barcelona relegated this year of he'd been in charge. Back to betting, Bet 365 give you a free bet of up to £200 that I've just taken advantage of, they match the initial deposit you put in (the most they'll match it is £200), they've got 2 Newcastle bets on ATM, champions and promoted, champions has a max stake of £100 but the promoted bet doesn't have a limit.
That is the point though. We need the right players to supplement those that are here. A 6 game unbeaten run is great. However Sunderland have had unbelievable spells at the end of nearly every one of the last 5 seasons. They are still there the following season because they do not sort out the same issues. Benitez getting a little more out of them (we still went down don't forget), should not suddenly trick fans into thinking we're a good side. We are not. We lack cojones. A lot will depend on those who have come in and shown they have the right stuff (Lascelles, Townsend) being supplemented by some character and players who are willing to get stuck into the challenge ahead. If Benitez gets that right then I'm sure we will be challenging. As I say I expect him too. People thinking this will be a walk in the park with the squad as it presently stands would be in for a nasty surprise in my opinion. If we don't learn from our consistent mistakes, then we will get everything we deserve. Fortunately I think Benitez is a bit smarter than the previous incumbent, and will also have backing that others have not.
This is of course completely true and agree whole-heartedly that Benitez is not under the same illusion. He knows it's a weak squad - the bloke had to pick Cisse, for chrissakes, so if that doesn't highlight weakness nothing will. I do think we have the best squad, either on paper or in reality. I'd like us to try to sign Gaetan Bong from Brighton, to weaken them and strengthen us. I think Caulker would be a superb signing too. I reckon Mbabu, Anita and Sterry are all Championship-level right backs, maybe among the best. I think Bong, with Dummett and Haidara as cover, would be LB sorted. With Lascelles, Mbemba, Caulker and Dummett all available at CB that defence should be fine. Bring in another midfielder or two to supplement the three or four leaving; the likes of Bridcutt, Fer, Huddlestone are all good options. (DISCLAIMER: all suggested players are based in England, though I defer to Rafa's wisdom for foreign imports) Up front, someone who will score goals in the division. I think Mitro might, but can't take the chance - Arma/Perez the same. Maybe even Toney might prove alright. But we need one more. Forestieri is the one for me, ahead of McCormack. I think next year he'll be on fire, and I'd rather he did it on Tyneside.
A striker is a must who we know will score. The problem you have is neither Armstrong, Perez or Mitrovic will be happy playing 2nd fiddle. Clever management is therefore needed. We have to sign a left back for me. We must sign a centre back. A lot will depend on who leaves in midfield. I'm not impressed with Shelvey. Colback will be ok at the level. Anita is a right back option now for me. For all the hatred towards them, Sissoko, Tiote and Gini are the players who would elevate us above the Championship opposition. I don't think any of the three will stay, and only one of them could be guaranteed to not shrink under the challenge. I do think Gini will be all the better for his first season and the summer off though. I think there is a bit of work needed. I'm not about Caulker now, he seems to have regressed.
I expect Mitrovic to bag 20+ in the Championship but I agree we need to buy someone with a proven history of doing so. Armstrong should be prepared to wait a bit before he becomes the main man. Perez has seemed very patient to date
You'd rather have Williamson than Lascelles and Mbemba?! If we're keeping Anita, Dummett, Lascelles and Mbemba, we have a very solid defence, in midfield Shelvey and Colback I'm sure will stay, and if we're lucky Townsend. For me a consistent goal scorer is the main need, Cisse needs to be ditched asap, Armstrong isn't ready to lead the line just yet, and Perez doesn't get enough goals. I can see Mitro destroying championship defences, but we need someone alongside him to benefit from the space he makes and snap up the chances, McCormack is the obvious choice, this is where Rafa needs to exert his authority and break the stupid under 25 policy.
I think we need one or two in defence mainly as cover. People underestimate what a good defensive coach Benitez is and it only took him 3-4 games before we saw it ourselves last year. We conceeded 4 goals against spurs, Villa, Palace, Lpool, Man city and Swansea Combined! so I think we only need cover for injuries/suspensions.He might bring in a rb to have a competant natural rb, as good as anita is, is a an out and out Rb? plus i'd like to see sterry get games but i wouldnt want to be reliant on him. LB Dummett and Hairdara, only a new one if hairdara cant prove his fitness. CB's though, lascelles and Mbmemba would be starters for me, Good, Taylor and Colo need to go. Dummet can cover CB if needed. so 1/2 more Cb's but who is going to want to join us just to sit on the bench? Mitro will score a ton load, top scorer in the division, maybe even more goals than games!
He may receive more red cards than games as well. Championship defenders may have a field day and try to push all his wrong buttons.
Actually think that Willo would have done us a very good job in the Championship! IN fact a very cheap option for 1 year (hopefully)
