Agree. We have a number of players about to start their 3rd season in this division,they know what it is and what to expect. Also,they're not teenagers any more....they're into the early to mid 20's age group,rapidly approaching the time of their career when they will be at their prime. When we're acquiring and developing players...whether it be through the academy or bought in, we're now at the time with many of them when we would have anticipated they would produce.
There's at least one of the first team lives near the AOL/SOL. The last two CEO's lived within a mile of the AOL. Director Charlie did. LJ lived on the outskirts of town. Years ago the club had houses and many lived close. Two of our full backs lived near me in a very mixed area. Most today will be renting so it's a different game but there's still desirable properties to be had. Our owner rocked up in a social club at Xmas so his base can't be that far away. There was nee buses on !!..lol !! Kris Day on X: ". https://t.co/5RBjHJSY8O" / X
Been thinking about exactly that. We need that permanent signing in through the door ASAP to get us started. However, there's potential for some very interesting deals as we approach the deadline. The likes of Cannon, Archer, Scarlett, Lankshear, Jebbison, Stansfield (maybe), Al-Hamadi, Fabio Silva are all likely to be available for loans as we get towards the end of August. Ross Stewart may be too, if he gets over his injuries. Then there's always the opportunity for some left field options as PL squads get established.
RLB seemed bullish when saying there is more work off the pitch to be done, so hopefully thats translated into some action Roker report did a poll asking what positions they thought we needed other than a striker and I really struggled to decide, on one hand I think we are little light at CB but thats just down to injuries some short term some longer and also the fact Im unsure on Hjelde despite being promising in pre season Id say a specialist defensive mid is what we lack, albeit id want Neil given that berth to start, we would be light if he was unavailable Other than that all other positions we have enough players so it would be a 1 in 1 out basis for me, after trimming it down ofc
Will be very tight. Burnley, Leeds, Sheff Utd and Luton very likely to finish top 6 imo, with about 10 teams competing for the last 2 spots.
Hoping we make some of those 'banked for 12 months' types of signings this summer. I expect they're looking to the likes of Aouchiche and Mundle to get closer as we move through this season. It's also one of the reasons why I'd be very hesitant in shifting on Ekwah this summer. We need to keep an eye on 25/26 IMO. Ballard I'm not too worried about weirdly. I expect Seelt to be able to step into that one. Similar with Hume. A fit Huggins is his equal IMO (albeit that is a fair old caveat). And Patto moving on just makes a Matty Young sized space ready to go. Our biggest pressure area is the middle of the park, I think. Which, given that is probably the least predictable area in our squad for this season, is something that we should bear in mind.
Do they? Their signings - Callum O’Hare. Kieffer Moore. Harrison Burrows. Jamie Shackleton. Sam McCallum. They’ve also got Ahmedhodzic and Hamer who’re both quality at this level.
Listening to Phil Smith rn he was saying the club were adamant that Mendy was only one of many options, so maybe we haven't really been pushing ahead with him for a good bit now?
https://x.com/secondtierpod/status/1817900483656225101 Blackburn striker Sam Gallagher is expected to sign for Stoke this week for a fee of around £1.5m. (Via:@JPercyTelegraph)
Hamer and O’hare would walk into our team. Also still have Vincius in that midfield. Difficult to see a better midfield 3 than that.
No but lots of good info on house prices in Durham and a list of Luke O’Nien's top ten mistakes over the last five seasons ... ... there's a poll, at the top of the page, if you want to vote for your favourite.
Phil Smith has also said Mayenda could be a very real option off the bench up front when another striker comes in, seems to have really impressed with his progress this pre-season. I personally feel like Mayenda could come on very very well with some more minutes, seems to have everything there needed just needs to improve his finishing but he is only 19.
Hamer is superb. Quality player. 4 goals and 6 assists from central midfield in an awful PL team last season.
Got the right amount of bastard about him too, one of if not the best midfielders in the league this season if he stays
