Found this on Roker Report, in three parts: FEATURES & OPINION LATEST NEWS Wearside Wheat From The Chaff: Who Can Be Part Of The Sunderland Solution? (Part 1) By michaelgraham on Dec 18, 12:00p + Jamie McDonald With January looming and the next phase of Martin O'Neill's Sunderland rebuilding on the horizon, we look at who is - and isn't - likely to be part of the solution on Wearside. FACEBOOK TWITTER It doesn't matter who you ask, everyone seemingly has a different idea as to how to fix Sunderland. By a happy coincidence, we happen to have people to ask right here at Roker Report Towers, and we thought we'd actually make them do something for a change. We asked 5 of our writers to review the current Sunderland squad with a simple question in mind: Are they part of the problem on Wearside, or are they part of the mid-long term solution. So, with that in mind, allow us to present the first batch of players for evaluation. Simon Mignolet Simon Walsh: Without question Mignolet is part of the solution here at the club. He needs to be tied down to a long term contract soon as bigger teams will coming sniffing about him. The most underrated 'keeper in the league has to be part of the wider solution. David Boyle: The man with one of the best chants going in his honour, Mignolet has really grown in stature since taking that bang to the mush. An outstanding shot-stopper who's command of the area is ever-improving, the Belgian has his best years ahead of him and hopefully we can keep him on Wearside for the foreseeable future. Dan Williams: How glad I am to have an easy one to start with. Our goalkeeper is an essential part of squad, and despite one howling error, has been superb this season. Our only problem might be keeping him at the club, with rumours of teams such as Manchester United chasing his signature. Chris Weatherspoon: Superb. For whatever reason, despite being a consistent performer since his arrival on Wearside, Mignolet has been viewed with an element of disdain by some. His performances this season have eradicated that. Without doubt, he will only get better - definitely part of the solution. Karl Jones: He's established himself as our number 1, and caught the attentions of other clubs in the process. Under Martin O'Neill though, I hope a team can be built, and not constantly re-assembled. Keeping hold of Mignolet, and building from the back, is the foundation of such a plan. Verdict: Part of the solution Titus Bramble Simon Walsh: Bramble has never been part of anyone's wider solution, so this one's relatively straight forward, no. David Boyle: The epitome of "meh" in my book. Probably wouldn't notice or really care if he was to leave. Dan Williams: No thanks. He's certainly not the worst player in the world as some people would have you think, but he's just not good enough. On top of that, he's a magnet for bad publicity and trouble, and we don't need that. Thanks Titus, but bye. Chris Weatherspoon: A decent defender, most of the time, but I can't get away from the fact that he comes across as unprofessional. Can do a job until the end of the season but, should the right bid come in, he should be shipped out next summer. Karl Jones: Much like the other defenders in the squad; he does a job, when he's fit. The problem is that Sunderland simply cannot carry three central defenders that are susceptible to injuries at the latter part of their careers. The QPR link was perhaps more an agent doing his job rather than genuine interest, but with his contract coming to an end it presents an opportunity for O'Neill to find his new Martin Laursen. Verdict: Part of the problem Phil Bardsley Simon Walsh: A tough one to call as he's very much what I'd consider to be a Martin O'Neill type, but I think finally Bardsley is on borrowed time at Sunderland and he'll be shipped off as soon as someone makes a decent offer. David Boyle: While his workrate can't be faulted his defensive ability has come under increasing scrutiny of late and may well find himself replaced in the near future. Dan Williams: It's easy to bash on Phil Bardsley, but he does make it easier for us. O'Neill loves his commitment, but let's be honest, anyone can try hard. His 'defending' means that he is more of a problem than a future solution. Chris Weatherspoon: A squad player and nothing more. Long-term, the club should be looking to bring in a quality player at right full-back. Bardsley muddles through on grit and determination - by no means the worst attributes to have - but should be relegated to a bit part player whenever possible. Karl Jones: It seems as if Bardsley's commitment, that had long veiled his limited defensive ability, has worn off of late and what we are left with was his performance against Chelsea. Disposing of Bardsley at the January junction is premature - I dare say he'll be needed (well, a body will be) at some point or other. As June commences however and his contract is down to its final year, this issue can be addressed. Verdict: Part of the Problem Jack Colback Simon Walsh: Yes, I think he is, but I don't think he'll be a full-time member of the first team. He's a great player in my eyes, but once O'Neill has his own men here I think he'll be pushed down the pecking order. David Boyle: An extremely useful member of the squad, with a real drive, desire and a nice knack of picking out a team-mate. May well find first team football a little harder to come by should we bring in the central midfielder(s) we currently crave so badly, but would still be a good option to have in the squad. Dan Williams: I must admit that I'm a bit blinkered when it comes to the ginger midfielder. I bloody love him, and think that he's got a very bright future ahead of him, and that it's at this club. Chris Weatherspoon: Despite his detractors, I feel Jack Colback remains a man with a bright future at the club. His limited attacking abilities have come to the fore this season - but I still believe this is doubt to a lack of self-confidence than a lack of ability. Even if he doesn't occupy the midfield, he has proven himself a more than reliable left-back. A graduate the Academy of Light can be proud of. Karl Jones: Often criticised for his style of play, but with creative quality either side of him and in front of him, Colback's tendency to simply find a team-mate is hugely understated. Granted, when said attacking players are not having much joy - the start of the season a prime example - scrutiny will find its way to the delivery boy. His ability to not only keep, but win the ball, enables him to fit in seamlessly at left-back also. Verdict: Part of the solution Sebastian Larsson Simon Walsh: Much like Colback, I think Larsson will be around for the long haul, just not as a first choice player. David Boyle: While not quite as key to the side as he was when he first arrived Seb is still a cracking player on his day and while he may have to play second fiddle to Adam Johnson, he is certainly an able replacement. Dan Williams: Have to agree with the other boys here, Larsson may not be our most influential player, nor is he a world beater, but he's always willing to put a shift in, and for that we should be grateful. His presence at the club now actually reminds me a lot of Steed before him. Chris Weatherspoon: I was pilloried in the summer when I suggested there was no place for Larsson in the side, but it is a view I still hold. Larsson is a hard worker, and occasionally shows flashes of brilliance, but, for me, the negatives outweigh the positives. From central midfield he offers little; out wide, McClean and Johnson (and Sessegnon) are all better options; his set-piece ability is very hit and miss. If he's playing in centre midfield, which he has been recently, he's most certainly part of the problem. Karl Jones: As a versatile, dependable squad player, as Adam Johnson's presence on the right flank has ousted Larsson from his favoured position. Hard-working and he chips in with a few goals, there is certainly no rush to discard him. Verdict: Part of the solution James McClean Simon Walsh: I certainly see McClean as part of the solution here, and I think O'Neill will too. God knows he loves his wingers, and old-fashionedness and McClean combines both wonderfully. David Boyle: I think James' future is in his own hands. He certainly has the raw talent to remain a key player for Martin O'Neill but will need to show more consistency to guarantee his place. As Simon says however, O'Niell loves a winger, so we can expect McClean to be around for the foreseeable future. Dan Williams: Tricky one, but we all know that he's got the talent to be a great player. He needs to grow a bit of a brain, but I doubt he'll be going anywhere anytime soon, and imagine Mr O'Neill feels the same way. Chris Weatherspoon: Solution, definitely. McClean's poor start to the season smacked of two things. First, he was too busy taking to Twitter. Second, he looked to overcomplicate things, as opposed to adopting the direct approach that worked so well last term. Thankfully, both of these trends have stopped. An excellent player defensively and still a genuine threat going forward, McClean can go from strength to strength - Sunderland would be daft to sell him. Karl Jones: After an expected lull, McClean is resurfacing as an attacking threat. He's a very competent crosser and, when direct and bloody-minded, has the potential to trouble even the most accomplished full-backs, whilst also tireless in protecting his own full-back. I don't think we have seen the best of him yet. Verdict: Part of the solution
Steven Fletcher Simon Walsh: We - and in particular Martin O'Neill - spent best part of £12m on Fletcher, of course he's part of our future. Numpty. David Boyle: O'Neill's number one transfer target in the summer, has gone on to grab the goals and impress with his all round game - fair to say this Scot is going nowhere anytime soon. Dan Williams: He's basically our future. 'Nuff said. Chris Weatherspoon: Seven goals already - in a poorly performing side. I don't really think this one is up for debate... Karl Jones: That O'Neill targeted - and acquired - Fletcher should put most fans at ease. Over the coming transfer windows he'll have his targets and do his utmost to achieve them, but patience in football has gone the way of the peseta. One of the most pleasing things this season has been the quality of Fletcher's finishing, rather than the volume. If there is a footballer that contradicts his stereotype as much as Steven Fletcher, let me know. Verdict: Part of the solution Kieren Westwood Simon Walsh: Westwood is a perfectly capable backup, but is he part of the solution? Probably not in all honesty. I can't see him being at the club beyond the summer, and he won't really be missed. I can imagine O'Neill will want to bring in an experienced (Age 35 or older) backup to help Mignolet grow. David Boyle: Certainly an able keeper but falls well short of the standard Mignolet has now set and I can see him looking to move away for first-team football. As Simon has alluded to replacing him with a older, wiser head who will be happy to play reserve to our Belgian may be the preferred option. Dan Williams: Not a bad option to have on the bench, but he's not happy at being there, and we don't seem super keen to offer him any reassurances that he'll ever be anything else. Can't see him sticking around for long. Chris Weatherspoon: Meh. A good backup, which is what you need in the goalkeeping position. Still, if offered decent money, the club should bite the buyers' hands off. Karl Jones: Having been heir to the Irish goalkeeping jersey, Westwood arrived at Sunderland with intentions of being no. 1 at the Stadium of Light. Simon Mignolet has put an end to that, though, and whilst a more-than-able deputy, I suspect first-team football may tempt Westwood away in the near future. Verdict: Part of the problem (at least not part of the solution) Carlos Cuellar Simon Walsh: This might be a slight shocker, but I don't think so. I think he's been brought in by O'Neill as a temporary fill in until whoever it is he wants to lead his defence emerges. It won't be Cuellar in any other role than a backup, as good as he's been. David Boyle: Difficult one. Cuellar has certainly settled well and has, overall, done ok since his arrival but you have to wonder if he was the right deal at the right time and may well be "upgraded" shall we say. Dan Williams: Tricky, but I can't see him being around in the long term. As Mr Graham has said in the past, he seems to be nothing more than a stop-gap, and his arrival on a free transfer does nothing to suggest otherwise. He might be an O'Neill signing, but I can't see him being a first-team regular come next season. Chris Weatherspoon: I quite like Cuéllar, but I sense he was signed more out of opportunism than with a view to holding down a long-term first team berth. If the club can get in a more experienced or, preferably, pacey central defender, he should be let go. Karl Jones: Before running into the good teams and a bit of a defensive meltdown, the ability to keep clean sheets was Sunderland's saving grace, and Cuellar was a big part of that. I suspect him or John O'Shea, in time, will be partnered with a commanding presence of O'Neill's choosing. Verdict: Part of the problem Matthew Kilgallon Simon Walsh: If Matt Kilgallon is the answer, I shudder to think what the question is. No, just no. David Boyle: A perfect example of a player who's stock rises among Sunderland fans the longer they are away from the first-team picture. Simply not up to the standard we should be aspiring to. Dan Williams: Always a bit of a baffling signing. Bye Matt. Chris Weatherspoon: In a squad with too many squad players, he sits with Fraizer Campbell in the special 'not-even-good-enough-to-just-be-called-a-squad-player' corner. He's by no means the worst defender even in the past decade at Sunderland, but he's a man that belongs in a side yo-yo-ing between the top of the Championship and the bottom of the Premier League. I'm pretty sure that's not what we're aiming for. Karl Jones: The rabona was pretty neat. Getting out-witted by Kevin Davies was not. That is Kilgallon's time at Sunderland in a nutshell - immense against Manchester City on New Year's Day, lamentable against Norwich City earlier this month. That is probably a result of consequence, as Kilgallon was hastily-signed, loaned out and ultimately forgotten about by Steve Bruce. Another whose contract is due to expire, a fresh start would do him good. Verdict: Part of the problem Craig Gardner Simon Walsh: Yes, I think so. Gardner was sold by O'Neill early on at Villa, but he also gave him his debut. I think he likes Gardner's adaptability and occasional strikes from distance. David Boyle: Decent, adaptable and capable of hitting a freekick or a long-range effort, certainly worth keeping around the squad just for the different options he has in his locker. Deserving of another, prolonged, stint at right-back in my book as well. Dan Williams: Certainly part of the solution in my book. Flexible, with a hell of a shot on him (when it goes within 30 yards of the goal) Gardner has really worked to turn his Sunderland career around, after some would have been happy with him leaving the club when he was apparently homesick. I hope he's here for a while yet. Chris Weatherspoon: Decent enough, but I'd expect him to be let go at some stage along the rebuilding process. His good performances in midfield are too sporadic; he offers an adequate option at right full-back but will be pushed down the pecking order if the club can acquire themselves a better one, which they should look to do. Could probably get good money for him, so I'd not say he's part of the solution. Karl Jones: For me, he should have never been allowed to leave right-back. Comfortable enough on the ball there (as opposed to the centre of midfield where his formative displays were blotted by continual dispossession), defends ably and has naturally attacking intentions. Granted, this season he has looked more assured in midfield, which enhances his value as a squad player, but his finest games for Sunderland have come at full-back. Verdict: Part of the solution Stephane Sessegnon Simon Walsh: Absolutely yes. It's a problem trying to work out where he fits into things in the side, and he can let you down occasionally, but he's worth keeping around for the moments of magic he does provide. We haven't got anyone else like that in the squad currently. David Boyle: Undoubtedly. Simply put he is one of the most skillful players I have seen in my time in a red and white shirt, capable of winning a game on his day. Whether or not his day is often enough is another matter however but we would be out of our minds to let talent such as Sessegnon slip through our grasp. Dan Williams: Tough one. While Sess' is clearly the most skilled player in the squad by a country mile, that's not to say that always putting him in the team makes us a better side. However, when the two things are balanced against each other, he's got to be vital to us, hasn't he? Chris Weatherspoon: I'm going to court controversy here, but I do find our Sessegnon predicament something that may result in him not being with us for the long-term. A brilliant footballer, but I wonder whether or not he's a poor fit in the system O'Neill tries to play. If the manager cannot find a way to get Sessegnon and two wingers performing well consistently, Sess may well be the fall guy. That said, no one gets anywhere by selling their best players - especially when they have so few quality ones - so I hope I'm proven wrong. Karl Jones: Without question, Sunderland needs to do all it can to keep hold of Sessegnon, although he's at an age now where it's unlikely any of the big clubs will make a move for him. Capable of the sublime and the ridiculous, particularly when it comes to his shooting, adding more of Sessegnon's calibre should be on the agenda. Verdict: Part of the solution
David Vaughan Simon Walsh: No, he won't be here much longer. Much like Westwood, he's a handy fill-in but no world-beater. Currently he's been struck down with a case of David Meyler Syndrome I hear, so hopefully he recovers soon. David Boyle: I think O'Neill has already made his mind up on Vaughan. His lack of appearances during a spell when the centre of midfield has been the issue it is crystal clear his days are numbered on Wearside. Dan Williams: I'd like to think so, as I was a big fan of his when he signed, but in a position that we are well stocked in, Vaughan is just surplus to requirements. Chris Weatherspoon: Similar to Gardner, his good performances in midfield are too inconsistent. I expect he is tired of warming the bench, so I'd say he won't be around much longer. Karl Jones: Seemingly second fiddle to Jack Colback as the ‘keep it simple, regenerate possession' middle man, but even then Seb Larsson has been used in midfield whilst Vaughan remains without a league start this season. The Welshman was part of the good run under O'Neill. Scratch that, he started it, but his neat and tidy approach has been overlooked. Midfield reinforcements are expected, which could well leave him vulnerable. Verdict: Part of the problem Louis Saha Simon Walsh: I had real high hopes for Saha when he signed for us, but he's really showed his age this season and has absolutely nothing left in the tank. Not really one for now let alone the future. David Boyle: Not a chance. Has failed to make any impact whatsoever when on the pitch and I suspect he will be soon on his way with few people noticing or even caring. Dan Williams: Yey! We've signed Louis Saha? Oh, it's not 2002. No thanks, he's too old, and contributes very little indeed. Chris Weatherspoon: I was actually quite happy when he signed this summer, but I think it's safe to say his most influential act on Wearside thus far has been to act as a compatriot for the French-speaking Stephane Sessegnon. Ultimately, Saha is too old to be part of any long-term solution - might still surprise some this season, mind. Karl Jones: An experienced stop-gap, Saha's one-year deal merely covered Sunderland until Connor Wickham was ready. That time, if recent weeks are anything to go by, is now. Verdict: Part of the problem Wes Brown Simon Walsh: Brown isn't going to be here in the long-term, and I'd be surprised if he was even still in the game by the end of the season. Injuries have caught him up and he's not going to be involved at all, regardless of who the manager is. David Boyle: I've long since given up on seeing Brown in a Sunderland shirt ever again, chronic injury issues at this stage in his career does not bode well for the bloke and I can either see him retiring whilst still on the books or moving on to clutter up somebody else's physio room come the end of his contract. Dan Williams: Wes Brown. That fella in the canoe. Lord Lucan. Him out of the Manic Street Preachers. What do they all have in common? Well they all just disappeared. Is Wes Brown still on this earth? I'd love him to be fit and in the team, I thought he was superb when he signed, but his frankly woeful injury record means that he's never going to be a viable solution. Chris Weatherspoon: You mean he's not dead? As much as the experience argument I outlined for O'Shea applies for Brown too, it means sod all if he's never fit enough to get on the pitch. Definitely part of the problem, and I wouldn't expect him to last any longer on Wearside than his current contract permits. Karl Jones: In a similar boat to Titus Bramble - a club of current stature cannot simply carry players, especially with Financial Fair Play as football's modern era canopy. He is dependable when on the field, the only problem being that has yet to happen this season. Verdict: Part of the problem John O'Shea Simon Walsh: As much as I liked O'Shea, I can't see him being part of the solution here in the long-term. Much like Cuellar, he's been alright in the main but he can't go on forever and little mistakes have become increasingly common in his game. Not someone we critically need to ship, but certainly we need better in the back line. David Boyle: The Irishman might not be getting any younger but his experience within the squad is priceless. I have to agree with Chris that pairing him with a younger and pacey central defender is key however. Dan Williams: As we are talking about the future of Sunderland, I would have to say that no, I can't see O'Shea as a long term solution. He's been poor on a number of occasions this season, and while he is far from a poor player, I think that O'Neill may have better/younger/faster players in mind in the long term. Chris Weatherspoon: He may well be 31-years-old now, but O'Shea should certainly be part of the club's long-term plans. Experience like that is simply too good to pass up willingly. Yes, he has the odd stinker, but his quality is clear - stick a fast centre-back alongside him and watch him command his younger cohorts with ease. Karl Jones: Provides a similar level of experience to Wes Brown, but it comes in a more durable shell. He's not having a bad season either, although the prospect of Martin O'Neill strengthening the spine of the team could put an end to guaranteed starts. Verdict: Part of the solution Lee Cattermole Simon Walsh: Without a shadow of doubt, yes he is. He's one of our better players, our captain, and still yet to peak as a footballer. His best days are ahead of him, and I hope they're at Sunderland. David Boyle: The rock around which we should shape the midfield in my opinion. Whilst the rest of the footballing world remains blinded by the stigma attached to our skipper his quality is clear to see for those who watch him week in and week out. Dan Williams: I could be all controversial, but I can't. His time out of the team this season has shown us just how important he is to this team. Build the team around him, he's our future. Chris Weatherspoon: The side should be built around him. He is, without doubt, the most effective Englishman in his own particular role. His passing ability is nowhere near as bad as suggested, and his ability to command a midfield is clear. Karl Jones: In the minds of many he is our only competent central midfielder. His absence from the team this season has been telling - no-one in the current squad is as good at winning the ball back or retaining the team's shape in midfield. Without doubt one to build around. Verdict: Part of the solution Adam Johnson Simon Walsh: It's been a difficult start to life on Wearside for Johnson, but ultimately he's still got an extraordinary amount of skill and ability. He's also got time on his side too. Once he fully matures he could be a key player in our team. David Boyle: I thoroughly believe that the best is yet to come with Johnson. Following a tough start we are beginning to see why we were so excited to bring the guy to the club in the first place and I'm confident that the best is yet to come. Dan Williams: Although Johnson has been far from the player that we know he is capable of being during his time on Wearside so far, there is no doubting that he is a class act, and that once he hits his stride, we will have a wonderful player on our hands, and for some time to come. Chris Weatherspoon: Give him time, show faith in him, and instil confidence. Not for nothing was he seen as one his country's premier players. Hamstrung by a slow start, and the added impediment of having two men marking him in most games, given time I am certain Johnson can become a - and I use this word whilst cringing - a "legend" on Wearside. Karl Jones: Slowly but surely, we are starting to see the best of the England international. He's chipping in with goals, picking out key passes and starting to feel at ease with what was expected of him. Whether it be on the right or left, Johnson has the ability to change a game. Verdict: Part of the solution Connor Wickham Simon Walsh: I've long been a fan of Wickham and I'm glad that other fans seem to of late be coming on board to him. I think he should be kept around for the long-term as he could well be leading the line along with Fletcher for years to come. David Boyle: Absolutely yes. I was a huge advocate of his signing originally and the signs of late have been encouraging that Connor will soon repay our faith in him sooner rather than later. Dan Williams: Certainly. Like Dave, I hoped that he would sign, when I wasn't sure that we were capable of securing his signature. He's come in this season looking stronger than ever, and I hope he gets his chance to shine this year. Even if he doesn't, we've got a great talent in Wickham, and he's here to stay. Chris Weatherspoon: I championed him last season and have done so again in this one. The lad is genuine talent, pure and simple. Thankfully, he's proven me right in recent weeks. Like Johnson, he could become a bona fide hero at Sunderland. Karl Jones: Back in the summer, I made my case that Wickham should sent out on loan to get regular game time. Suffice to say that wasn't what he needed - well, not entirely. He needed to be told - coached - just how to use that man-boy frame of his to his advantage, and that has what has happened, with Wickham away from the first-team picture. Scoring goals for both club and country at Under-21 level was just the icing on the cake, as Wickham's re-emergence has shown that he is starting to become the centre-forward that was hoped for. Verdict: Part of the solution
Fraizer Campbell Simon Walsh: No, not at all. He was never that great and since injury he's not looked much better. Rarely makes an impact form the start or from the bench, it's time for Campbell to go. David Boyle: Could well be one of the first of the current crop to leave in my opinion. Seems a nice lad, had a tough time with injuries over the last few years but unfortunately isn't up to scratch. Will be a good edition for some Championship outfit, more than likely Hull from the sounds of things. Dan Williams: Aside from a good few games before his big injury, he's never lived up to the hype that he gained at Hull. Can't say that I'd be sad to see him go. Maybe Brucey and the Hull boys will have a few quid to spare for us? Chris Weatherspoon: No, no, no, no, no, get out, get out, GET OUT!!! Sorry, he's just not good enough. Karl Jones: I'm already on record as saying that his 'moment' against Middlesbrough was possibly the most personal you could get in football these days. The problem is sentiment carried progression. The Fraizer Campbell that comes off the bench these days offers very little. A move would be best for both. Verdict: Part of the problem David Meyler Simon Walsh: Another player who's a likeable chap but ultimately a limited player. Is he part of the answer here at Sunderland? I can't seem him ever being more than a very good Championship player or serviceable backup here. If he's happy with that then I might come around to him staying. David Boyle: A popular lad among the fans and seemingly the players too but unfortunately I just think we have moved on and require more quality in the middle of the park than what Meyler can offer. Dan Williams: David 'Nandos' Meyler. I can't see a future for him at the club, I really don't think that he's good enough, and he only got 'good' in a lot of fans' eyes when he wasn't on the pitch. Thanks for trying, but no thanks. Chris Weatherspoon: A strange beneficiary of faith from the fan base given his very limited playing time in a red and white shirt. I think he is part of the long-term solution - but only in the sense that he could act as a decent backup should he be called upon. Karl Jones: This is a tricky one; on the face of it you would think Meyler's frame and athleticism lends itself to an area where Sunderland is regularly out-fought and out-manoeuvred, yet that is exactly what O'Neill has targeted come January. Should the manager find such a player, then Meyler may find himself discarded, or potentially even made into a centre-half if pre-season was anything to go by. Verdict: Part of the problem Martin O'Neill Simon Walsh: Without a doubt, yes. There's been people doubting him at the minute but look around the league and the dole office and you'll not see many better options who might come here. We gave Bruce nearly three years. O'Neill should get at least that and then some. It's time for stability. David Boyle: Unquestionably, yes. As Simon mentioned, stability is key right now and we have to give O'Neill more time and investment to mould his own side whilst shipping out a lot of deadwood from the squad. Keep the faith and I'm sure we will be repaid tenfold. Dan Williams: And, here we go, no. I'm not convinced that we will ever be the team that we want to be while he is in charge. Yes, I realise that things take time, but Sunderland have been woeful for the last 30 something games, with the occasional positive 'blip'. I have no names in mind for a replacement, I know that sacking him now would serve no positive purpose, but I am yet to be convinced that Martin O'Neill is the man to bring success back to Wearside. Chris Weatherspoon: Yes. The most successful manager on Wearside in many a year (perhaps ever), and a man who thinks deeply about the game. He's achieved success pretty much everywhere he's been, and there are shoots of encouragement emerging in what is a squad overly laden with squad players. Like I've said previously, even if we get relegated (we won't, mind), he should be kept. Karl Jones: Quite simply, he is the man capable of piecing all this lot (and some pieces from elsewhere) together to form a successful Sunderland. O'Neill is methodical and particular - both in the press and in his planning - and it's quite reassuring to know that the club is in the hands of a man with a plan. Verdict: Part of the solution Conclusions Players part of the problem: Titus Bramble, Phil Bardsley, Kieren Westwood, Carlos Cuellar, Matthew Kilgallon, David Vaughan, Louis Saha, Wes Brown, David Meyler, Fraizer Campbell. Players who can be part of the solution: Simon Mignolet, Jack Colback, Seb Larsson, James McClean, Steven Fletcher, Craig Gardner, Stephane Sessegnon, John O'Shea, Lee Cattermole, Connor Wickham, Adam Johnson. Almost a direct 50/50 split, then. Our writers clearly think we are not too far away, but there is a lot of work to be done. Perhaps most tellingly is that of all the defenders that the club actually own, only John O'Shea has made our 'solution' list, and even that was far from unanimous. Of those deemed part of the problem, four are out of contract in the summer, and three of the others are over 30 years old, so it is important to note that the opportunity is looming to replace a large chunk of that problem list with solutions. As for Martin O'Neill, despite Dan's clear concerns, I would still consider that to have been a strong vote of confidence in the manager from our writers. Ok lads over to you for your opinions!
They haven't put much effort in have they? a good read, generally agree but can't see Oshea as part of the solution.
Mig Gardner, O'Shea, Colback Johnson, Sess, Cattermole, Larsson, McCLean Fletcher, Wickham 3-5-2 against Southampton anyone?
