ExiledGeordie

He's not going to start many games but at least provides some competition for Mitrovic and Gayle and takes the pressure off when the games come thick and fast and not doubt injuries mount up. He's seasoned in the championship and knows how to rough it up. No problem with the signing really and clearly Benitez feels he's beneficial otherwise he wouldn't sign him. Assuming he contributes to our promotion the money involved in the transfer will be almost insignificant.

Starting to look like a proper team with shape and you can see they're well drilled and trained properly - what a bloody novelty' molars to the nonsense of recent times! I like Hayden, he's a proper solid box to box midfielder who surely will only get better under Benitez. Good to see Shelvey playing well, consistency is the hey for him. Mbemba and Lascelles look to be forging a decent partnership at the back too. I thought Perez did really well considering he's not a striker, ran his bollocks off so not sure why he's getting some criticism. And considering we had niether of our main strikers up front I thought this was a decent performance. Get that left back in an hopefully another winger before the deadline and we're looking good.

About time we had a proper left back ffs

Hopefully we'll get a few more names in before the deadline, need them

There's a difference between him breaking down with a hamstring an issue and an unfortunate ankle injury. An ankle injury can happen to anyone in a tackle. He does seem to have real trouble just staying fit though which is a shame

I've never been that fussed by Janmaat, too many rash decisions and mistakes

Assuming he signs, why don't people just see how he does under the tutorship of a fantastic manager before writing him before he's even kicked a ball.

I think he'll do well as he'll get more chances but his finishing has been patchy at best. Still loads to prove

A starting left back, winger and another striking option and I think we're looking good

Great for the defence that we didn't concede late on, that will help build some confidence. There's probably been a lot of pressure on Lascelles going into the season but hopefully he'll settle again and kick on from here. Clearly there's still some questions marks over the team but that was a very important away win. The defence will continue to improve and as Diame gets fitter we'll start looking more threatening. I'm actually really interested in te team for the first time in years which is a novelty That's the main positive for me

People writing players off already, who'd have thought

I've never been that impressed by him to be honest, makes loads of mistakes and rash decisions

Hayden did well moving the ball forward Wednesday night. The pressure is more on Diame to provide attacking support with Ritchie for Gayle. I don't hink it's such a bad team really.

He's been a disasterous signing and from what I've heard is continuing his "I'm not fussed attitude"

He still has a problem with some who plainly don't want to be there too.....

Why's he gone super defensive and cagey so far, doesn't make sense?

It's a shit start but it's two games in man, pipe down

This is about as big a wake up call for him and the players as you could have

It's a definite upgrade on Allardyce and is an excellent appointment for them, the best they could get really.

Never been that fussed about him. He was titanic in that game v Chelsea (debut?) but he's never lived up to it after and his attitude has been atrocious at times. See ya

Inspite of all the wider issues at the club, unbelievable that he couldn't even get this side to finish in 17th. Really outdid himself in terms of how shit he was. Became clear early on that he was utterly clueless and was having zero effect on the players. Couldn't improve the attack and the defense was a shambles. I'd go as far to say he's the worst manager we've had. Souness was fucking diabolical to be fair but I hated him for his arrogance. I'll always remember McClaren smiling in interviews after another disastrous defeat.....fucking smiling man. Just shows how completely out of touch he was.

Total and utter lack of commitment, fuck off

Can't stand them but they bought a proven goal scorer and have players who fight for the shirt whereas we don't. That's ultimately been the difference.

Huge 45 mins coming up, have to win. Would be a nightmare if Sunderland drop points but we don't take our chance.