ExiledGeordie

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Good team, no complaints

Last season save for an effort from Benitez we were almost destined to go down after a few years of squeaking by. I think this is Sunderlands year. They look terrible.

They probably will on Tuesday

And nobody else? You perv...

I like the idea of Atsu and Ritchie on the pitch at the same time

Yeah you'd hope that once Lazarr settles in and gets a few games he'll add something different to the side. Probably see more of him second half of season but we need a bit more down that left side.

Grew to take a win into the break. Hoping as we see more of Atsu and Lazarr eventually gets a regular run out we'll be even more clinical with balanced wing play. Team is evolving and improving all the time and it's good to see.

Pure speculation, like. It's more to do with his godawful performance against Wolves plus Clark's assured displays since then. By all accounts his attitude wasn't the most committed at the start of the season but hopefully that's changed.

From what I heard he was "unsettled" at the start of the season wanting away and hasn't been fussed about learning English. Hopefully he's settled a bit since then but maybe there are still some issues bubbling away

Ideal to win going into the break. Loads more to come from thise side, Astu seems like he'll add loads of attacking threat. Lazarr will come in eventually too

Struggling as of recent particularly in that role behind the striker but he'll come good eventually.

Yes option to buy

They were talking about todays line up on Total Sport last night, and Anderson was saying whilst he would expect midfield and forwards to be rotated, he thought Rafa should be settling on a fixed back four, as they are important to play alongside each other regularly. Whilst I can see that argument, I also think rotating them (certainly pre-christmas) is the way to go. If you play a steady back 4 regularly, then ne or two get injured, you bring in one or two squad players who have to adapt to the system/other players quickly. With the rotation policy, some squad players are playing semi-regularly alongside the 'first choices' like Lascelles. So if/when they have to come in, then they still know how to play alongside each other. I still think its great that we have such a squad where all players know they are going to get chances, so they are hopefully more ready to come in/on, as they know they are going to get chances to play. That's a good thing about rotating the defenders in terms of a long term effect. At least if they've played together a bit then when the injuries ineveitsbly come you're not pairing players together how haven't played together much. As ever it's a fine balance but I fully trust someone of the calibre of Benitez to get it right.

Ofcourse it's started I mean when the injuries and suspensions kick in for all teams and true form starts to tell that's when I've a,ways felt the season has started if not numerically speaking. Teams who you might not have predicted to do well and have started well often start to drop off around this time. We are a new team, we are still settling down and therefore I think we'all continue to improve because we have better depth than others.

This result and other results like the Wolves loss at home seem typical of a side still settling down in my opinion. There's loads of new players who will take time getting used to playing with each other at a new club and in a new country for some. Season doesn't start probably until October and I'd expect the side to settle down more with less highs and lows and more consistently professional performances.

He typifies the type of player we've signed in recent times who has given up, become disinterested leading to diassafection among the fans. On his day he excels but those days are so few and far between. To get 30m and shift a player who was probably only going to sulk and cause disharmony is fantastic. I have no doubt that the money brought in may be used in January towards a final push to promotion.

He's completely rejuvenated my interest in the club

I thought you had more faith in Rafa than Bobby etc? I have complete faith in Rafa, but I cannot be the only one looking at what is basically a whole new XI brought in and feel underwhelmed? I'd rather bring in 2 or 3 special players to destroy the league than a whole new team of average players or unknowns because I feel that will get you out of the division not squad depth and having a player for each position. Time will tell, I hope I'm wrong of course! We've lost 16 players. We couldn't just bring in two or three. I don't have any issue with the signings as we're buying realistic targets as a championship side. The squad will clearly be updated with premier league quality if we get promoted. Not sure who some people were expecting us to sign really. I'm actually very happy with most of our signings, they might not be dead exciting, but for once we are building a proper squad with plenty of options in every position. Especially when you consider the number of games involved in the league. .....and our injury record

I thought you had more faith in Rafa than Bobby etc? I have complete faith in Rafa, but I cannot be the only one looking at what is basically a whole new XI brought in and feel underwhelmed? I'd rather bring in 2 or 3 special players to destroy the league than a whole new team of average players or unknowns because I feel that will get you out of the division not squad depth and having a player for each position. Time will tell, I hope I'm wrong of course! We've lost 16 players. We couldn't just bring in two or three. I don't have any issue with the signings as we're buying realistic targets as a championship side. The squad will clearly be updated with premier league quality if we get promoted. Not sure who some people were expecting us to sign really.

Looks decent in clips - left footed winger with pace

It was a horrendous tackle but a few years ago now and I've read quotes of what seems genuine regret. Benitez is surely fully aware of the implications of "the tackle" but if he thinks he can do a job to help promotion and that it won't affect team spirit then so be it. Not something that bothers me really.

Young player with a point to prove, like the sound of this

Should make a huge difference to the shape of the team

Good. Need more of this. Don't agree at all, no matter how awful a player is booing their introduction is not healthy for all parties, does not send the right message to other players. I honestly don't have too many issues with his current role at the club which seems to be a player we play occasionally, he's not a guaranteed starter anymore and we should be thankful to Rafa for that. If some stupid club come in for him before the window closes, we naturally should snap their hands off but we would be woefully short in CM, unless we can get Tiote playing again. Booing our own players when they come on ffs. Idiotic and exactly what is it supposed to achieve?