The Elephant In The Room

30 years watching.

You’ve still only managed to pull out 8 players. And some of them are poor examples.

Name me some recent success stories.

 

Older heads. Paul Futcher, David Geddes, John Hendrie, Paul Wilkinson, Adam Hammill, Malcolm Shotton, Ricardo Vaz Te the list of success is pretty long. We have also bought loads of young lads who didn’t make it. Deniol Graham, Kayden Jackson, Willie Ferry, Van de Velden, Otis Khan the list is equally long. It’s not an exact science and younger players are equally likely to fail.

We have been pretty poor in all departments since January and actually seem to be getting worse rather than better but ups and downs come with inexperience I guess. A couple of wins against awful opponents didn’t hide our frailties unless you were wilfully blind.

 

Bloke who got us promoted Mr Adam Hammill.

 

Not influ

 

You’re preaching to the converted though. I’ve already, hours ago admitted we lack a few older heads. A Glenn Murray up front, a Matty James in midfield.

I’m just disagreeing (as are you by the looks) that it’s the answer full stop.

 

Seem to remember you saying he wasn't the same player anymore when he was at Huddersfield and supporters suggested him as a possible signing.

 

It will be in spite of the strategy.

 

We havent played in the FA cup yet so there's still time for this seasons Altrincham

 

He wasn’t. He will tell you that himself. The fact he resurrected his career here and in the manner that he did shows anything is possible with the appropriate application.

Look, you can try and dig me out all you like. I have been wrong about more things in my life than I care to remember. But I see life as a journey, a learning curve. Always something to learn, things to find out. And after 35 years of life, I believe a positive frame of mind is better than the alternative.

But as I keep reiterating, mine is but one opinion. Whether you think it’s club rhetoric, or just pure bilge, that’s up to you. I have no interest in how you perceive it. Once shared, you can do as you like with my opinions. Just as I will with others.

 

So you are always right regardless?

Chortle.

 

No need for it and you couldn’t be more wrong.

 

I know Ian and would declare him more of a funky combination of purple and pink.

 

I don’t necessarily think we need experience in the conventional sense. Both Winnall and Conor were experienced when we signed them as was Bradshaw based on games played. Where I think we needed to fine tune a little is around the latest recruitment where we needed to look at potential allied to experience either at the league we are in or the 1 below. This doesn’t always work as Mowatt has shown but is the thing we need to do if we survive and can move forward.

The strategy is a good one but if we don’t adapt and change with changes in circumstance we will fail.

An occasional older head is good but they have to be exceptional and affordable. I don’t want to see us fielding an Old Lags 11.

 

Well suppose that's true of where ever we finish. Maybe someone at the club has a spreadsheet that says don't worry lads Sunderland are going to be terrible.

 

The majority we signed in the summer have played lots of football. I would imagine the least experienced on those terms would be Isgrove.

I honestly believe it’s about a team. You can have great individuals in it, but team work is paramount. I thought we were rhubarb many times last season even with the fabled players since departed, but they had grown together, shared experiences, both highs and lows and knew each other’s roles.

The huge turnover in players this season means it was always going to take time. I’m sure everyone knew as much. Look at United. Momentum and having a settled, successful side pays dividends.

I believe we’ve done some great work in building again, and in January with more pruning, we will improve some more. And so on.

I like the strategy. I like our players and management. I don’t like all the results. But sometimes you have to accept the sour to appreciate the sweetness to come. Like we did in 2015/16.

 

I appreciate the experience but it needs to come from further up the pyramid. 100 plus games at th me top of L1 or bottom of the Championship or SPL. I don’t really think we signed anyone like that and we needed to again imo.

 

Derby will rock up on Saturday with £8,000,000 Vydra up front. Or £4,000,000 Nugent. Maybe both. They could include a certain Winnall. Darren Bent returning to fitness. On 30k a week. This is what we are up against.

The one Derby striker I purposely didn’t refer to? The one who Rowett doesn’t fancy. The one striker I would love here, Chris Martin.

Exactly the sort of laiker we need. Big, strong, can finish with head or foot, bit of arrogance about him, not too old, been there and done it.

More chance of plaiting fog though. And that’s not because Barnsley wouldn’t want such a player. He just wouldn’t come. For reasons galore. But mainly money. The same reason our better laikers leave.

 

I don’t disagree but we have to look as we did last year when we almost nicked Morsy Fremont Wigan.

 

So for example, tempt Madine from Bolton? That kind of thing?

 

Hard to say off the top of my head. I would certainly have had another nibble at Morsy and amari Bell at Fleetwood forwards are as ever hard to get.