I have a good feeling about next season, I really do. Q - Will Sam get rid of the deadwood by hook or by crook, ie the tricky contracts etc A - Yes, I think so. His man managing skills and his no nonsense approach of telling players 'what is what' will get matters moving pretty quick in my opinion. Q - Will he tie up the loanee contracts ? A - Yes I'm confident he will keep/persuade and offer better deals for the players he wants to keep. Q - Will he improve our squad in the close season ? A - Yes. My gut feelings, my head and my heart are all in agreeance here. His prior meetings with Short and the ongoing, will, I'm sure, have laid the foundations as to what funds he has demanded in order to be a success at this club, in which case, I'd say we have plenty to look forward to between now and August. CONCLUSION. I feel that we have good reason to be excited about our forthcoming new season, I really do ! In fact, this is the first time for a long time that a top 10 finish may not be a dream, but a reality. KTF - FTM
That felt like going for an exam and all the questions are already filled in. Decision. Do you change them or leave them be? Conclusion. Leave them and hope the answers are correct.
I don't think you'll trouble the top 10, I reckon you'll be safe much earlier if Allardyce gets backed by your owner properly, but the gap to teams like Saints, West Ham, is too big to close in one window. Almost every team will improve this summer, not just Sunderland.
I don't think we'll get in the top ten either but it all depends on how everyone spends their money. We've signed some crackers under Sam, I'll let him off for N'Doye as presumably it was slim pickings for an experienced target man available on loan, so as long as he doesn't inexplicably forget what a good player looks like I foresee us comfortably avoiding relegation and maybe doing alright in a cup.
Agreed that all teams will improve, however, I just feel that big Sam's man management skills will bear fruit where other managers failed. We have a decent group of lads now, especially the new faces acquired in January. These lads have gelled and look happy together. I feel really positive about the next campaign, whatever.
You should feel positive, but there's a massive amount of work to be done first, only 6 weeks or so until teams report back for training. Allardyce has never been a 'huge strides' sort of manager, I think he'll get you safe much quicker this time around and realistically that's a good season.
Yeah that's true...he's more of a 'small steps' manger, rather than having an, 'all or nothing' mentality. The outlook is bright. I'll keep the faith !
I think it's all we want, it is for me. I know it's hard for some people to understand that just having a stress free season or two while achieving nothing other than stability and comfort would be so desirable but that's all I'm looking for in the short term. Long term I expect us to be the Kings of Europe of course.
It would be nice to have a little run of wins I don't expect miricales but I do expect safety and no more relegation fights Mid table safety for a few seasons then keep building for the next level We have a good enough set up for us to be a top team in the very near future
Well looking at the last five months of results by Palace they look odds on for the drop next season, so that's one out of the three to drop sorted, here's hoping. Like everyone else a season of stability, an early 40 points total so we can enjoy the last 10 games or so, and a league table improvement of say 5 places, so 12th would do me. An improved squad, a settled manager and a CEO who actually knows what he's doing, is that too much to wish for.?
Stay out of the sun Rackem. It can do funny things to the brain! I get what you're saying mate but we've had many false dawns. As has been said before, it's the hope that kills which is why I'll try and keep mine in check over the summer. And Vince made a very good point. Everybody will be improving this summer. Getting rid of the deadwood is vital though. Freeing up the wage bill as soon as possible will be a massive step forward.
This time....I have that feel-good factor. I just do believe this next season will be a much improved season, even without knowing who we'll bring in etc I also think that SA will bring in a couple of surprise marquee signings to whet our appetites.....I just have that feeling something special is on the cards. I'm gonna still predict 10th place. In fact, I'm going to put my money on it when the prices come out soon ! I don't and won't appologise for my enthusiasm....
I was just being diplomatic to the point that it's only 12 and Vince is already pissed as a newt! Or as Vince would say
These pretty much go hand-in-hand, to a certain degree. If we are comfortable next season and knowing we are safe by say, March. Then we'll probably not be far off 10th place.
