30 Jan 2015 21:56:26
Lets be realistic here. I am a season ticket holder and to be honest the quality of football has been poor so far this season. This is mainly due to two factors: -
1) We have a distinct lack of genuine quality in the squad
2) Gus is playing very negative formations and tactics to try and avoid defeat.
Firstly, with the negative outset, if we go behind, it is very hard to change mentality and get back into the game. I may be wrong here but I'm almost certain we have now came from behind to win a game for over a year!!
Secondly, if the formation Gus starts the match with does not work he does not change it. All subs are mostly like for like!!
With regards to the squad there are players who have shown quality. Alvarez to me looks like a great number 10 so could play behind Defoe or if we are attacking more behind Defoe and Fletcher / Wickham.
Giaccherini is another who can play this number 10 style role. Gus has identified that he is too diminutive to play CM and he lacks pace to play on the wing. The link position is probably ideal for him.
And for those moaning about FFP get a grip. We do not want to be the next Leeds or Portsmouth so must balance our books. High wages earners need to be moved off the books before we can attract others!
The next 4 home matches will determine if we stay up or get relegated this season!!
Sunderland Banter Archive January 30 2015
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30 Jan 2015 18:33:01
Don't think we will get the quality added to the squad we need this window and that is a major worry. I understand we must balance our books but I believe Congleton and Poyet have placed us in a terrible position through mediocre midfield purchases.
Eg
We signed Bridcutt but we have Cattermol
We signed Buckley but we have Mavrias
We signed Rodwell but we had Ndayie
We signed Gomez but we have Cabral
We signed Alvarez but we have guiaccerrini
In addition to this We signed Scocco then let him leave
We couldn't agree terms with Colback or Bardesley and couldn't afford Ki or Alonso - Now we have to shift a few of the above to bring in the quality we need - and if we shift any of them we need to strengthen in other areas - which tells me what they have done is completely unbalance our squad.
Jones, Riviellier and VanArnholt get the thumbs up - but now we have Defoe which also means we are searching for a formation to accommodate him and as such I would have expected more activity during this window - so overall it's a very poor strike rate of adding quallity to our squad resulting in me now dreading match day instead of relishing it. I hope we beat Burnley but can't say with hand on heart I absolutley believe we will but I do believe we deserve better.
Bridcutt was to provide cover in case Catts couldn't play, which isn't that unheard of and I think he's done well.
Buckley, Jones, and Rodwell were all improvemts on the players you mentioned. Alvarez is on loan and again is a backup for EG, or vice versa. Pity they were both injured at the same time. In addition to quality the other problem last summer was depth, which although it wasn't solved was improved on. There's been deadwood at this club since Bruce was in. It takes more than a couple windows to clear it out. Defoe for Altidore was a steal. That deal alone made it a better window than I was expecting. I would like to see the domestic loan used, though.
30 Jan 2015 14:32:36
good right up in the echo today if anyone gets a chance to read it wrote by wilson's world