Summer '24 transfer window

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
It’s a niche opinion but I reckon Neil has the makings of a cracking 6. I’d go further than that and say that if Neil wants to go as far as he possibly can in the game, then he’ll knuckle down and commit to the position. His ceiling in that position is higher than it would be if he concentrates on playing further forward imo. Frustrated the life out of me when Mowbray decided to play him and Ekwah the wrong way round last season.
Totally agree mate
 
  • Like
Reactions: Robertson
I don't think we'll start the season with Clarke, Roberts, Mundle, Bennette, Ba, Poveda & Watson as wide options. I expect Clarke to leave, even if he starts the season with us.
Watson is a curious one - he's got a lot of talent, but is incredibly raw. Would another year in the u21s, with occasional appearances for the first team be beneficial for him? Or do we send him somewhere like Gateshead or Salford to get 50 games under his belt and bruises on his calves?
In an ideal world, he'd be playing 21's and then featuring for us sporadically till January before being loaned out.
 
Shame about that Perez, but our midfield is packed at the min. I always felt if we did sell and then replace, we'd go for a higher proven calibre of player. The pedigree of many of our targets is sensational. Mendy for instance, was at a good Ligue 1 club and went down the levels until he hit his peak.

Poveda has yet to find his peak, like Roberts and Clarke before him. Even Ugbo who I've heard we have genuine interest in, played for Chelsea and has went for good fees in the past.

I hope the championship striker who has scored a few goals comes in alongside Mendy, it'd ready us for the season immensely. Better to own strikers in these tough financial times.

On the winger situation, my opinion is both Ba and Bennette need a year playing 30 games from the start. I don't see how Ba gets in this side if Roberts and Poveda are fit. Plus, should we loan both those lads out, you've still got Watson, Rusyn and possibly Aouchiche that could be wide options. I'm in two minds with Watson, personally I think he could do with hanging around the squad till Jan, but I'd not wanna stunt his ever quickening development.

I do wonder about this squad, it's extremely exciting.

Im my head utilise the clubs that are close when we can for loan deals, Gateshead, Harrogate, even likes of Doncaster etc.....if they went on loan there could we not have an agreement in place whereby they came back to train with us one day a week or whatever, that way they keep in touch with way RLB wants us to play, ideal to best assess their progress & they dont become isolated from the squad/club
 
Im my head utilise the clubs that are close when we can for loan deals, Gateshead, Harrogate, even likes of Doncaster etc.....if they went on loan there could we not have an agreement in place whereby they came back to train with us one day a week or whatever, that way they keep in touch with way RLB wants us to play, ideal to best assess their progress & they dont become isolated from the squad/club

I know with the very young talents they like them to train at the AOL full time and then send them to local sides to play only, they did this with Chibueze (Consett) and Matty Young (Darlo) last season, as the players move up the pyramid, the teams understandably want to have them in training full time, Matty Young (Salford) will be based out of Manchester this season I'm sure.

League/Conf: (ideal for players beyond u21 level)
Carlisle
Gateshead
Harrogate
Hartlepool
York

Others: (additional experience for players between 18-21 level)
Berwick
Blyth
Consett
Darlo
South Shields
Spennymoor
 
how many can you see more players can you see coming in, after Mendy is all done,

how many can you see leaving?
 
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sunderland-urged-make-4m-next-29602332

Not sure about the £3 million to £4 million bit, but decent quote from French-based journalist Luke Entwistle about Alex Mendy:

.... Speaking to Football League World, when asked what Mendy would bring to Sunderland, Entwistle said: “You’re buying someone who’s prolific.

“His output is very high. He is an experienced striker and someone, as I say, who does also have international experience, which is handy. He has experience in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 – a complete journeyman, a proper, proper journeyman. He’s been all over the place and has scored a decent amount of goals in a lot of the places that he’s gone.

“He’s maybe your Jermain Defoe type. He’s played for numerous clubs. He’s got a decent record wherever he’s gone. He keeps moving around, but he got 22 goals last season. Ligue 2 is a difficult league to score goals in, so to get 22 goals in Ligue 2 is a significant amount.

“At Championship level, it is hard to say to what extent that translates, but within French football he’s been a pretty sure fire bet. I’d be confident that at 30 years old you’ve got the mentality to try as well. I think you could bet on him having a decent season, decent output, reaching double figures.”

If Mendy’s statement is anything to go by, then he seems to have his heart set on a move to the Stadium of Light. Entwistle believes the fee would be in the region of £3million to £4million.


Nice comment after the article:

Madison123
1 HR AGO
Niall Quinn was signed when 30 yrs old and gave us 6 great years, Mendy could well do the same.
 
Im my head utilise the clubs that are close when we can for loan deals, Gateshead, Harrogate, even likes of Doncaster etc.....if they went on loan there could we not have an agreement in place whereby they came back to train with us one day a week or whatever, that way they keep in touch with way RLB wants us to play, ideal to best assess their progress & they dont become isolated from the squad/club

I would agree with this local loan deal mate, but it would be beneficial if he went to a team which plays on the front foot with a high press in the same manner as RLB is wanting to do.
 
I would agree with this local loan deal mate, but it would be beneficial if he went to a team which plays on the front foot with a high press in the same manner as RLB is wanting to do.

I'd tend to agree although it's also good if a player can learn different styles and systems ...

... especially when a club has three managers in a season <laugh>

Joking apart it's about time this club had an idea of how we're supposed to set up.

Obviously that has to adapt to visiting teams with different tactics, whether you're ahead or needing a goal and for away games.

i thought it was pretty clear that the players had far too much info thrown at them last season and virtually gave up.

Hopefully they're refreshed and clear about what's expected, seems that way from what I've seen.
 
Not a huge account for followers etc but hopefully someone more reputable picks it up.

I know there's some absolute weirdos on the internet but you'd have to be disturbed or confined to post this for a laugh <laugh>

He posted about George Ilenikhena going to Monaco, yesterday, and the club have only announced it this morning I believe.
 
We’ll see I suppose. Fingers crossed!

I can't be bothered to check but, from what little I can recall, he seems to hit the ground running at his various clubs.

He's never failed to score a decent amount and doesn't have a poor injury/suspension record.

He'd hopefully have a good influence on Hemir and Mayenda well as pulling defences around for the likes of Jobe, Roberts, Clarke, etc.

We need to create a bit of panic in the opposition's defence imo, it was way too static last season.

We should also be winning more free kicks and penalties.