AND THIS IS THE BIG ISSUE. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, THERE'S a sense of expectation on Wearside ahead of Martin O'Neill's first summer in charge of Sunderland. What areas will he look to strengthen? Who will he look to sign? And which players will be moved on? Despite the current run of eight matches - including an FA Cup replay defeat to Everton - without a win, O'Neill has shown during his first six months in charge that he has the managerial acumen to make his current squad an effective unit. If he can bring in the sort of player he likes, to compliment those he intends to keep, then there is every reason for fans to believe there will be a bright future under his watch. O'Neill has already spoken of an intention to ensure two players are capable of finding the net more than ten times in a season. It's likely to be the biggest task he faces. In the Premier League, Nicklas Bendtner, due to return to Arsenal after his loan finishes on Sunday, has scored eight goals. Seb Larsson and Stephane Sessegnon both have seven. With one match remaining of an entire season, it is hardly the sort of return in front of goal that will get defences shaking. What O'Neill must do, though, is try to come up with a formula which will see such statistics improve next season. If he can do that then he stands a chance of delivering a team capable of closing the gap on those chasing European football. There have been players mentioned. Wolves' Steven Fletcher, Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor and Kevin Davies are the three names to have been talked up the most. What O'Neill must do is try to come up with a couple of gems like Everton and Newcastle did in January when they landed Nikica Jelavic and Papiss Cisse. Sunderland owner Ellis Short must have thought Steve Bruce had done that when he agreed to pay out £13m for Asamoah Gyan after the 2010 World Cup. With Gyan looking certain to have played his last game for the club ahead of a permanent summer switch to the Middle East, now Short will be lucky to get his money back. He is sure to be on the look out for players to fill other areas of the pitch. Getting his attacking blend right will be the secret to success at the Stadium of Light. At Fulham on Sunday they were wasteful in front of goal and lacked purpose inside the area until he scrapped the lone striker system which Sessegnon's style lends itself to. Next season there will be changes, it will be O'Neill task to make sure they are the right ones. http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/9692260.Where_will_O_Neill_turn_this_summer_/
All our money has to be invested on 2 new strikers IMO. Our defence is okay and our midfield adequate (conceding goals isnt a problem and neither is creating chances) but the forward line has been woeful. We have barely scored 20 goals in 38 games from all the forwards and thats pathetic. Every penny we have must be spent on securing 2 strikers capable of playing most of the games (so no crocs) and with the pedigree to score 15 to 20 goals each. We can survive and progress with all the other players but we will not progress if we dont improve our striker situation.
Holliet and the Yak from Blackburn, Fletcher from Wolves + a LB and a RB and I would consider it a successful transfer window.
I was saying this yesterday but a few disagreed. Spend all our money on a strike partnership. We could then bring in Figueroa, Diame for free and also Rodellegga as competition also free. Send Ji and wickham out on loan. If we lose Sess then id like to see someone like a Gylfi Sigurdssen brought in
Recon Gylfi will have bigger fish to fry come the break. Or the costs will be , maybe not OTT but big all the same.
Honestly couldn't second guess on what is gonna happen.... Just see random names thrown around, by papers and also on here.......... No idea on who he may want.
Wonga???????? Al Ain: Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has revealed he is in discussions about extending his stay in the UAE with Al Ain, but also warned there are other clubs interested in signing him this summer. Gyan - on a year-long loan spell from English Premier League club Sunderland - is the top scorer in the Etisalat Pro League with 19 goals despite missing part of the season through injury and playing at the Africa Cup of Nations. The 26-year-old has inspired Al Ain to their first league title since 2004 and the club have made moves to extend his stay in the Gulf. "I'm in negotiations with Al Ain. I'm very happy here," Gyan said at a media conference at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday. "But there are quite a few clubs interested and I will see what is the best option before making a decision."
Any of the below i would be happy with. I just hope we can keep Sess Holliett Free Bosingwa Free Fletcher Izzaguirre Figroll free Yak Cisse Long (i think Long & Fletcher would be a great partnership up front) Samba Matt Phillips Victor Moses
