Consortium of one

Is anyone else concerned that the back line needs more attention. Even if we bring in NTaylor, we need at least one more at least to cover RB and CB. A trio of Colo, STaylor and Williamson is OK but Kadar can't stay healthy and is unproven. Who pushes Simpson at RB? Bringing in another quality striker is the top priority but some depth on the back line shouldn't be far behind, IMO.

Overall reflections I don't want to be a downer but as good as I feel about this past season it doesn't mean much going forward because the owner is capable of anything, at any time and that takes away a lot of security about the future. High Moment 4-4 against Arsenal. Tiote's strike was absolutely brilliant, the comeback was divine and wouldn't it have been crazy if Nolan's late header had bounced in? That game typified the teams spirit and it will stay with me forever. Low Moment Hughton being sacked. I was stunned and thought the club would sink like a rock. Pardew surprised though and the players stuck together. Still, the shadow of Fat Bastard looms large over the club. Best Player Colo by a nose over Tiote and a neck over Barton Best Individual Performance Tiote against Arsenal. yeah, maybe it was one strike in a game but BIG players make BIG plays in BIG games. Best Buy Tiote, easily. Most Improved Simpson. I think Simpson played quite well over the entire season. He's not a top shelf back by any means. However, he can play a needed role going forward. Best played a relatively small role but he gave us goals when we really needed them. He showed he belonged.

Same here. Even on appearance alone, taking all actual ability and putting it to one side: Pardew is a decent-looking, well groomed silver fox who wears a full suit on matchdays. Bruce looks like a 60-year old lesbian who's had a frying pan to the nose wearing a shell suit two sizes too small. I reckon Brucey's got the biggest kite in the public eye, like. It's growing at a rate even exceeding Ian Beale's. :mackems: it's funny cos it's true. http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01460/steve_bruce_1460059c.jpg That needs a few pigeons on his arm well, pigeon shit, anyways...

Right now I favor Krul Simpson STaylor Colo Enrique Cabaye Tiote Barton Ben Arfa Jonas Ba with a bench of Forster Williamson Ferguson Gosling Guthrie Marveaux Best I'd like to add a quality striker and Barnetta (who would replace Barton) in addition to a left back to deputy Enrique.

I'd have to say we've gotten the easy deals out of the way. Ba and Marveaux were on frees and we had to beat other teams to get them. That says something, IMO. We find a clause in Cabaye's contract and get him. Any other player the may want requires negotiations with clubs and agents and that takes time. Sure, I'd like to see all the big business wrapping up by the reporting date but in reality, of all the players who will move this summer, how many actually have as of this moment?

I seem to remember that everyone was stunned we got so much for Milner.

Read that several times trying to work out how you make horses high-powered. Stick a hose up their ass.

I've read that although Marveaux doesn't often play as a classic winger he is a good crosser. If true, that would be a big advantage over Jonas.

I' didn't see the match but everyone I know who did, pins the loss solely on Bornstein.

And now West Brom is being linked with a 6M bid for Sturridge

I've seen his value range from 6 to 10M

I hereby resolve to refrain from reading any more posts on that Sunderland board. I swear, every fucking time I start reading that board I have points shaved off my IQ and move closer to premature dementia.

Interesting that Rondon gets a mention at the end: Looks like he's not signing and extension after all? And if he is not, why has interest cooled on him?

As someone who came through the baseball statistical revolution that began to get traction in the 80s, I look forward to see how it impacts footy.

Just on the Sky site: Speculation: Seemingly no end of speculation coming out of St James' Park today amid reports Newcastle United have yet to receive any bids for Joey Barton, Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez, who have all been linked with summer moves away from the club.

Should be wearing the armband, IMO.

Would rather use the 11M (or a portion of that) for another striker. Also looking like Barnetta could be had for a little more than half that price.

And maybe the Barnetta romance is a message that says, "If we don't get Zogs at our price, we can always get someone else."

There's a little trick to it. Once I figured it out it got easier.

NUiainFC iain nicholson @ @welsharmy2 loan for sturridge with a view to a 13m move 25 minutes ago

Breaking News: Sunderland have confirmed the signings of Sebastian Larsson and Keiren Westwood. More to follow. From SSN website

Every time I watch Tiote's goal I get goosebumps.