SUNDERLANDâS considerations in the final 48 hours of the transfer window will change, depending on whether a loan or permanent target is in their sights. The Black Cats are still looking to make two or three further additions to their squad before Mondayâs 11pm deadline after already bringing seven players to the Stadium of Light this summer. Sporting director Lee Congerton is predominantly looking at loan signings to bolster Sunderlandâs squad, with Inter Milanâs Ricky Alvarez and Atletico Madridâs Toby Alderweireld both possibilities, with the former getting closer to joining the Black Cats. But, despite Sunderland spending the bulk of their transfer budget, the club are keeping an open mind on permanent additions who are available and offer value for money. Head coach Gus Poyet admits that there are different factors to weigh up though, depending on the nature of the deal. Poyet told the Football Echo: âIf youâre going to buy a player and spend money, you need to look at the price and if heâs the right player for the next three or four years. âBut then if itâs a loan, itâs a totally different situation. âWith a loan, sometimes players just want to go to a place where they are going to play. âAnd then some players make the decision to come and others donât want to.â Sunderland are also hoping to make further sales before the window shuts, albeit they are able to send players to the Football League when the emergency loan window opens. Poyet does not envisage offloading any of his key figures, albeit the Sunderland boss is realistic enough to know he cannot predict whether other clubs will make late approaches after the Black Cats gave serious consideration to Stokeâs £5million bid for Lee Cattermole on January deadline day. But out-of-favour pair Modibo Diakite and Cabral are both close to sealing their Sunderland exits, while Poyet also expects Danny Graham to depart before Monday. French side Stade de Reims have made an enquiry for defender Valentin Roberge too, although they will need to make a sufficiently hefty offer for Sunderland to be able to sign a replacement. Poyet says those players who could depart have a clear understanding of their place in the pecking order and they are keen to feature regularly too after limited opportunities at Sunderland. âThe players know where they are standing. Thereâs no doubts,â he added. âI know people think itâs about money. But thatâs only for a little while. âAfter a few months, players want to play as well and they want to search for a place they are going to play.â
GUS POYET expects to spend the penultimate day of the transfer window glued to the telephone. Sunderland succumbed to their first defeat of the season at QPR today, yet that won’t prompt a knee-jerk reaction from the Black Cats before Monday’s 11pm deadline. Poyet was already looking to bring in two or three players before the end of the window, with forwards Ricky Alvarez and main summer target Fabio Borini, along with defenders Virgil van Dijk, Sebastian Coates and Toby Alderweireld all on Sunderland’s hit-list. As was the case in Friday’s pre-match press conference, Poyet again refused to be drawn on names after the 1-0 loss at Loftus Road, but he does expect a busy 48 hours ahead of him. Poyet said: “We know the numbers that I want to work with and we know the numbers that we were. “I’m going to be on the phone all tomorrow. “It’s supposed to be a day off tomorrow, but it’s not going to be! “We’re going to do something and let’s hope it’s good ones. “There are important positions that we need to strengthen.” Sunderland started the game at Loftus Road in the ascendancy, with both Patrick van Aanholt and Steven Fletcher going close in the opening 20 minutes. But after QPR enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure, Sunderland paid the price for conceding in first half stoppage time, as Charlie Austin netted the only goal of the game. “I don’t think there was too much difference between the two teams,” said Poyet. “I think we started well in the game, we were in control, they couldn’t get the ball off us and then the last 15 minutes of the first half changed it. “After that shot from (Leroy) Fer (that hit the bar) it brought the supporters a little bit up. “The goal changed the game. “We gave QPR the chance to play the second half in a different way, which helped them to defend in the way they defended. “But we’d been giving the ball away cheaply, even in our own half, which we normally don’t do. “And that gave the momentum to QPR. “When you give the other team opportunitis, especially in English football, then that makes the difference.”
