Your so right, BUT those who see and hear no wrong, even when things are obvious. We a NEED a proper battle hardened captain and a proper centre forward, the 2nd half of this season is winnable, and promotion achievable if we get the right ones in. With the wrong ones out.
I think we need things but the two things you’ve just listed are two departments we’re fine in maybe a big physical forward so we have two styles of centre forward
You want to change the captain half way through a season in which we are way better than we have been in any recent season? No offence mate, but that is mad. He is captain, I suspect, because Regis trusts him in that role, and to be perfectly frank the players seem to as well.
I think all 3 teams above us have their inconsistency like us Leeds probably the most consistent but also can sometimes leak really silly goals. The 4-3 against Swansea for example Burnley and Sheffield United both have really strong defences but struggle at the other end of the pitch creating chances and sometimes get petty draws because of it. Mix this with the fact we’ve obviously still got them all to play again. We’ve got January to get 2/3 maybe even 4 solid squad players in to help us and those screaming about depth we’ve got what 11 players to come back from injury or something? If we get lucky and keep more fit the second half of the season there’s no reason we’re not pushing top 2. My only worry is chance creation but that’ll come and especially with key players coming in / back from injury Haway the lads
I’d say Leeds are the most talented, but they’re as inconsistent as us - if not more so. The other two are good, but so are we. We’re in the mix. We need to forget all of this ‘now or never’ talk and just concentrate on improving with each window. And while fans may quibble about whether we’ve done enough in each window (particularly January ones) we’ve improved and been impactful in every window we’ve had under KLD. No reason to think we won’t do it again this January. Just need to keep to the plan and keep growing the club.
I agree that we need the right ones in, I also agree we could do with another option upfront Def don't agree with a battle hardened Captain, Neil is really growing into the role and is getting better as a leader by the week. He is really starting to take over games when things aren't going well for us, that's what I want to see in my captain - lead by example and never go hiding I think we need 3 new signings in January to kick on
I think we have more strength in depth than the majority in this league. Most other sides with our injury lists this season would be crippled. We are still competitive. Getting our players fit is more important than signings in January. Maybe just a little tinkering will do. Get rid of a few fringe players, get a fit defensive midfielder in. Is Wilson likely to be a permanent after his loan? Has anybody heard owt? If not and If a striker on permanent is available in January, get him. Other than that im not fussed about signings.
Our second string has more quality than most other second strings. E.g. Alan Browne would be a starter for most in this league.
Of course … we’re inconsistent, inexperienced and keep coming up against various types of teams with various approaches. If I could I'd replace Patterson with an older more commanding keeper who has better distribution, two full backs who can handle high balls going behind them, centre backs who are more mobile as well as more able to play the ball out and a midfield with greater experience, muscle and authority ... ... I'd also want wingers who are more consistent and strikers with a killer instinct, not to mention more experience on the bench. But little, or none, of that may happen and tbh I love watching these lads develop and learn from their mistakes. So many have been written off, from Hume to Aouchiche, but they're digging in and working their socks off. There's a real bond, with the supporters and club, that I haven't seen for many years. Of course we could go out and sign two or three £10m players but what guarantee is there that they'd get us into the top two. And what happens if they do worse than those they've replaced as we've seen dozens of times before ... ... we end up missing out, £30m down and three massive contracts to keep paying to players who don't want to be here. Nah, sod it ... I'm absolutely loving watching these lads and can't wait for NYD.
A thought went through my mind as the final whistle went at Wembley. If Cannon chose Sheff Utd ahead of Sunderland as people claim ... ... I wonder how he's looking forward to failing to score in the Championship again
He was never a fit for us. I tried talking myself into it when it looked like was happening big, but I never wanted him. He will never step up in the PL mate. He might get there, but he will flop. The fact he chose them and their empty stands at Wembley over us says it all. He is not a Sunderland player. My opinion may have been vindicated, but it didn’t need to be. He is not ‘Sunderland material’ and by that I mean in the way these lads we have will fight forever for our badge.
As much care seems to be taken with a players character as it does with their potential. Cannon just doesn't gel in my opinion. Our team spirit is a massive factor imo and should be protected at all costs ... ... no stroppy mercenaries who don't embrace our area and our culture please.
Aye. I think, and this isn’t exclusive to us as a club or fanbase, sometimes folk see ‘ooh 10million player’ and almost want it to be a thing. Football ain’t that simple. Trai; Mayenda, and Wilson will tell you that. You can buy talent, you can buy ability, you cannot buy personality. You cannot buy heart, or character.
At least when he retires he'll be able to tell his grandkids that he was responsible for the match winning assist in the play off final
