TRon

Problem with Sunderland is that there is no glamour playing for them. Unless you are a product of their youth academy, or a total one off like Quinn then you really only see them as a stepping stone and hope to get out of there ASAP. Half their players live in our city, shop, eat and go out on our doorstep, so really the only thing that actually gets them players to start off with is being so close to us as the likes of Bent simply wouldn't have come up here if he couldn't live in Newcastle. We of course have had similar problems over the years and why we've thrown mental money at average players, but our draw is miles ahead of them when were in the same division. Same goes for Boro, and why they've relied on youth for so long, unfortunately the youth wasn't quite good enough and the big money signings didn't complement the team. As for Bruce he's spent quite a bit, well over the odds on average players and is paying them a fortune. Bent the only decent big money signing so far, and like people say, one injury away from seeing Sunderland sucked right in to a relegation battle. I still think their good start will save them, pretty much like Hull last year, but its nice to think if we do get out of this division they won't be that far ahead, and a couple of well thought out signings could see us on par pretty much from the off. This season was vital for them to get ahead as much as they can, they've not taken that chance so far, though anything can happen. Pretty much agree with all of that. The type of players that Bruce is buying will become unsettled very quickly at Sunderland. I don't think they'll get relegated but I don't think they are going anywhere fast either.

He's spent a boatload to get the same results which is pretty dire tbh.

I think we need to go 4-5-1 if Nolan's playing, nut the thought of Carroll being the lone striker doesn't insp[ire confidence. He seems to have no awareness of the rest of the team at all. Big but useless.

Mackems are looking a sorry shower at the minute. Bruce has an eye for a player but I still haven't seen that much evidence that he can put a side together, or manage his players for a sustained period of time.

Hopefully Williamson and Colo are going to dovetail really well. Taylor's done well this season but I always felt that both could do with a really dominant centre half alongside.

I protest strongly against Yorkie's biased agenda against Nolan. Quit banging on about our tubby scouse hero mate. It's boring.

I expect we'll hear much more of this during Routledge's time here.

Maybe if we hadn't signed Routledge, I can't see Hughton buying two wingers in one window.

I like them both tbh, Beckford is going to get more goals, but Ranger's link up lay is better. Neither has proven themselves at a higher level either, but I reckon they'd have looked pretty good together.

It's also true of Bentley and Beckham for what it's worth. Let's not forget David Beckham was retired and playing in Disneyland not so long ago.

Yes that seems to be the most vital issue for LLO, not sure how much related it is to the topic itself though. (See OP)

What does that even mean? Which part don't you understand? I can break it down word for word if you like. Yeah go on then. I haven't got a clue who these people are, what relevance NUST has to any of this, how/why pessimists are mostly NUST supporters, and who assumes we have a divine right to anything. Just read through various threads and you should have more than a clue tbh. It's all out there on your own website. Dave has a website? Link? Is that your point? Invaluable contribution.

The one he finished proved he can finish more I think.

What does that even mean? Which part don't you understand? I can break it down word for word if you like. Yeah go on then. I haven't got a clue who these people are, what relevance NUST has to any of this, how/why pessimists are mostly NUST supporters, and who assumes we have a divine right to anything. Just read through various threads and you should have more than a clue tbh. It's all out there on your own website.

So Beckford's value has risen due to big match performances and a decent scout's eye for a player. What about Nile, whose general play as a front line striker has been superb, but today he showed he can finish as well?

What does that even mean? Which part don't you understand? I can break it down word for word if you like.

The problem with the uber-pessimists who post here, usually reflecting the NUST viewpoint, is that most of them are usually complaining about the signings not being of Premier quality. So they are assuming we have a divine right to get promoted which smacks of arrogance for me.

I think he might be a perfect foil for Coloccini. Colo being the Hansen to Williamson's Phil Thompson.

I wanted to keep him back then and said so here. Much like Milner he was shunted out wide when he was clearly better suited to centre mid. He's not top quality but is streets ahead of Nolan.

Is Jonas injured then?

The two new lads got us three crucial points as it turned out.

Fuckin gettin!!

Ambrose totally pissing all over Nolan in the midfield head to head so far.

Can't see where the goal is going to come from, there's no one up front who inspires any confidence.

Routledge coming on.