Seen other comments like 'typical sunderland signing free transfers', the club cant win with some fans
Cdm is probably the position where experience is vital We dont need an experienced striker, we need a striker that will give us presence - whether thats a physical cf, mobile cf or one that doesnt stop running
I would argue both are vital. We miss a cutting edge up front, imo. We rely heavily on Clarke to get us goals and while I bow to your experience on the analytical persuasion, I agree CDM is important to protect the defence, but we are crying out for something up front. I'm not saying a journeyman at all, but my views align with yours when you said about a presence up front, something we've lacked for a long time. We've been light up top for about 3 seasons. As you'll agree, a striker, especially an experienced one is the hardest position to fill. I'm not against M'Villa coming back in anyway shape or form, and on a free is fair enough, but the lack of scoring opportunities IF Clarke goes is a cause for concern imo.
I think you’re right there have to be sensible exceptions and one of them is that we sort something out in a position that’s been a problem for too long. Not sure the club will do that was my point and whether we can afford the fee they’d ask for.
Good to hear mate. But hasnt he been available since the summer? We couls have signed him anytime closed window couldnt we?
Striker is the hardest position to scout by far now. Mentioned it before but its the messi n ronaldo effect, players growing watching them want to play in their positions. When i coached youth football we struggled for strikers as all our best attacking players wanted to play wider The term experience is always a tough one to understand what folk mean. I prefer using 1st team ready - we def need a cdm n cf who are 1st team ready in this window plus a lb
Sure someone mentioned before that we couldnt sign after the window due to him being a foreign player. Unsure on the rules in the uk for that tbh but someone def mentioned it on here previously as to why we couldnt sign him when the window closed
but some people where saying Henderson would be ideal! Same age and Henderson has basically been playing nonleague.
I would be more than happy with M'Villa returning he is an upgrade on Evans for a start, plus his game did not hinge on pace alone but anticipation and tactical awareness, rarely caught in possession or out of position, he could be a great mentor for those already mentioned imo, as for passing he would have plenty of options with our young squad, alongside and in front of him, its worth a punt imo.. As for Defoe, the way that episode ended still puzzles me, he was imo improving game on game and we had the play-offs , and Aiden Mcgeady returning to the side to look forward to , then out of the blue Defoe announced his retirement, I honestly don't think it was anything to do with his performances on the pitch at all, but more likely something behind the scenes that led to his leaving in so uncharacteristic a fashion.
I get henderson has been playing nonleague standard the last 6 months but the guy has been playing at the very top before that winning everything he could at club level. So wouldnt be comparing mvilla to him Mvilla has had a good career himself but nothing compared to the levels henderson has been at
Fair enough My issue with mvilla is his sharpness for the championship, he looked so slow in n out of possession in the games i watched last season n not having a club for 6/7 months isnt going to have helped that
I get that but folk are also saying he would be amazing based on what he was like with us originally having not seen him play in yrs I can only go on what ive seen recently
I remember that, and was in my mind when posted. Not too sure about it though. My underatanding is free agents can sign any time. Some leagues have rules about when they can begin playing. Maybe that is the case in the championship. IE we could have signee him in October and had him training and getting ready. Or worst case he signs 2 weeks ago when the window opens because all negotiations have been done between windows. I am probably wrong, and hope I am, but something isnt sitting right about the idea we have just made contact.
You have also to remember that Hendo has played alongside better players in better teams than M,Villa , not taking anything away fron Hendo he has been superb over time and if he ever does decide to return in a year or two I for one will be over the moon.
Hes played in better teams n with better players because he is a better player Thats not a knock on mvilla at all as hes had a good career
that’s just the buzz imo be a great player to have around the place I mean evens is meant to be helping the kids loads and he’s not even played in over a year. Lot more positives then negatives with this one for me.