Yes, I get what you say about Jalo but I've seen a few young players come out of the academy over the years with a lot of hype who've then not made it in the first team. To earmark him as first choice next season is a big ask for me. I still think he'd benefit from a loan to L2 or the National League first, where he'd hopefully get regular game time. I also don't actually think he's an out and out striker to play in a front two. He's better suited to a wide player in a front three I reckon.
Striker is a position that the club has admitted have struggled with for a number of years. The academy just wasn’t set up to produce them, we are now seeing a few come through. Marsh is more of a striker than Jalo, he’s also a couple of years further on in development, it will be interesting to see if he gets another contract, he’s done ok in patches when he’s played. I don’t know for sure but why can’t Jalo be the next David Hirst?
Hirst was a beast for an 18 year old. Had the physicality to compete in the men’s game. Jalo just doesn’t have that, which isn’t a criticism. Hirst was a one off.
Agree that we need a keeper. Pines MDG Earl, Lopata and Lofthouse at the back,surprisingly this time unlike last year the back line will be made up of players who played this season and have L1 experience. Think O'keefe will come in as will Grant if we keep him. Connell, Styles and Phillips would be ok if Styles wants it and Cosgrove will be a starter with Jalo...Lets not forget Watters is still here unless we offload him..Cotter will have more playing time but we need to shed Dallas, Shaw and Shepard if they're not in the plan. Couple of freebies/Loans and maybe a purchase or two but can't see a wow buy coming anytime soon. as I said in a earlier post this week the big signing is a manager...needs to be right
Because all the good players you've mentioned will be flogged and replaced with players from lower divisions.
Agree with a lot of that, except Shepherd. Seen enough to think that he'll be a regular soon enough, and a quality one at that. Just take a look at our GA column with him in the side compared with after he left.
And I find it difficult to forgive or forget that a player got the tittylip on and just went through the motions. I don't use the term "downed tools" because if some of the players had ever had to pick some tools up in the first place, they'd know how lucky they are!
Read some reports from Sunderland that they will be having discussions with a number of players. Bradley Dack set to be released due to lack of game time and out if contract (injuries) captain Corry Evans out of contract (injury issues) Jack Clarke set to be sold if a big offer comes in and regarding Styles a decision yet to be made if their option to buy will be triggered.
