Conjo

Maybe this is a silly question, but would it be possible to lower the pitch, like digging it further down, and add more seats downwards?

Unless Trippier forces the move it won't happen. Too old to warrant a big fee, too important for us to accept a bid of his true value which is probably around £10m mark.

To showcase the natural ability of Will Hughes

Just watched the highlights of the game. Fantastic touch to bring the ball down and nice finishing from a tight angle. Shame he was miles offside

Looks like Clarke is shaping his game after Grealish. Roll his foot over the ball 10 times, cut inside & pass ball backwards.

He's just a cringe corporate career chaser. You meet characters like him in leader positions at all large companies. They are usually good at what they do though.

Someone has a chip on their shoulder for being in the shadow of his superior brother. "Jobe 7" In a way a perfect match for Sunderland to have him.

I was expecting Trippier to have another season here before making way for Livramento and move into a role in the backroom staff. The guy is 33 so from a sporting perspective it wouldn't be the end of the world if there's a good deal to be made, but he's personified our return to the top so would be very sad if he wasn't involved with the club in some capacity for years to come.

This is awful...ly boring. No wonder they want their manager out already.

Tend to agree with this, and there's uncertainty around Isak being able to stay fit too. Wilson is too old and injury prone to fetch us much in terms of transfer fee, and too good to let go on the cheap, so it's better to keep him as a an alternative together with hopefully a new, young (19-20 year old) prospect who is good enough to play in the event both Isak and Wilson are out.

One of our best players, Brazilian international in his peak years. Of course he's looking for an improved contract. Think he'll eventually sign a contract which is slightly below what our highest earners are on, which seems fair.

Think that award goes to Almiron.

and he will also be aware (more than most on here) why we are 9th at the moment, and that we are still moving in the right direction to be where he wants us to be. Never understood the "Bruno will leave if we don't get CL"-brigade. He doesn't strike me as a player who will force a move like that unless it's for too good to turn down money, when he can see we are moving in the right direction.

That's why I think he don't want to play in France. He wants challenge himself and play at the highest level so either England or Spain.

Even if they activate his release clause, I can't see Bruno wanting a return to France unless he's offered super stupid money that is impossible to turn down.

I thought Ashworth set up the scouting model at Brighton, but doesn't do any scouting himself?

Isn't the 70% to be in line with UEFA requirements that will go into effect in 2 years?

Squad rotation and injury management issues aside, I wouldn't swap Howe for any manager in the world. When we play our game to the best of our ability, there's very few teams at our level that plays as enjoyable/exciting football as us imo. If we we can add players of better quality but same mentality to the squad, I think we will start winning stuff in the near future under Howe. Added bonus that Howe is a great person. He's shown growth in his approach here from Bournemouth. I have confidence that we will end the season strong and that he can learn from his mistakes this season going into next season.

He's been playing with injuries a lot this season and rushed back early every time he's been out, so not surprised if this is it for him for this season. Remember how average he was start of the season when he clearly wasn't 100%, at the expense of a fit Anderson who came back to pre-season as the fittest player in the squad and had a great pre-season? Can't really blame anyone other than Howe (no that does not mean I want him out before the white knights come calling). He needs to learn to trust and use his squad more (and early) next season.

We had some absolute honking back fours in that period. Add David Edgar, Craig Moore, Oguchi Onyewu, Celestine Babayaro, David Rozehnal, Caçapa and Lamine Diatta to the list.

Speak for yourself He didn't have any problems with our fans, but the ambition of the club under Ashley. Best left back we've had in my life time. Was gutted when he went, but fully support his decision.

Regardless of the consistency of the butter (or i can't believe it's not butter) a knife will go faster through it if it's hot

Werner assist