Abacus

Surely it's now 4-D chess if time is introduced into the equation? But we probably should have been planning for 5-D chess, Mitchell.

Meh. I'm a bit disappointed with this one, thought he'd bring us something a bit different. But not too disappointed, if he chose Chelsea then fine, and I suppose we're at least looking at exciting players who might give us different options. And well done to Chelsea for hoarding every player they can buy and to the players who choose them for wanting to be treated like transfer cattle.

Wouldn't be a fan of bringing in DCL, I just don't think he's all that good from what I've seen. But, I could be OK with it if the club sees something that I don't but more importantly because he plays like a striker, even a not particularly good one. To explain, before Wood came in, the team shape was all over the place without having someone properly up front. Even though he didn't work for us in terms of goals etc, he was pivotal in terms of changing the team shape allowing goals to come from other areas and in that way pretty critical to our upturn in form. Similarly then, if Isak is out for a while or needs a rest, maybe DCL could fill that role. Like I say, I wouldn't want him personally but if we strengthen elsewhere then maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

Which is, and I know you know this, another legacy for us of having been run on a shoestring for so long and having few saleable assets when PIF came in.

In fact, why not just buy a load of completely shit players and stick it all on our best manager in decades to fix it. It'll at least be a test as to whether Howe is any good after all and I'm all up for that kind of prankster window.

Plus, everyone will shut up for a bit and moan about that instead

No idea why I watched that. Two dipsticks pretending to negotiate for a player purely in their own minds for someone they aren't getting anyway.

Sunderland Category C would be an amusing thread title.

Totally agree. Unless Chelsea get involved like usual but then we should simply walk away with dignity intact.

Based purely on that article, it sounds like an Ashworth type was what the club were originally after, whereas Mitchell was a change in direction DOF wise, and that they're now looking to go back to the original model. None of that may be the case at all, so I'm only going on that report, but IF it's right you could argue that we've mucked around and made a bit of a mess both with what Mitchell was told and also what he was there to do when he was recruited.

Indeed, but I guess the argument runs to wait and see if there's anyone we can get in late June from a club who needs to sell and then reassess what's needed depending on if we do make an opportunistic buy.

Don't mind any of our local sports journalists really. But it's clear not many are in the loop on transfers, which is as it should be. So even if it's just educated guesswork from them at least it gives us something to talk about. I get the feeling there will be at least one name we're not expecting, but I think there has been too much consistent noise about Trafford for that not to be one of the pieces in the jigsaw. Not sure what there is to the Pedro chat other than suspecting we've been in for him in the past, likewise Guehi as was well reported. And we don't tend to give up on transfer targets. Would be very happy with those three and maybe one surprise.

Reckon based on not much there's a chance we sign someone before the PSR deadline at the end of June but that most happens after. What I wonder with sporting directors is that yes they're supposed to make the deals. But if you're ambitious player, talking direct to the manager who wants you and can explain his plans must be much more of an incentive. Managers can't do everything, but you can imagine Eddie is chomping at the bit to make things happen.

I wouldn't be surprised with the odd loan deal just to bulk out the squad, given the number of games we'll have coming up. On football alone Grealish might fit into that, and may also be able unlock a low block better than many. Moot point anyway as I doubt it would be a thing.

It doesn't. I think he's just saying that the Plc losses are the ones people report and focus on, whereas the actual footballing losses are less than reported by the Plc. Haven't looked into it to find out where the difference comes from - it's just when accounts come out everyone focuses on the headline loss number, but you can only really guess at the real PSR loss number. Anyway, it's quite funny how some didn't want Elanga, but now he might cost a wedge we're outraged by that too. Think he could be great here, personally.

Be delighted with this, a long term target and obviously wanted for a reason. Quite excited to see what he brings to us and our play. For all the slow build sometimes feels painful, it's always fun to see how these signings always seem to move us up a gear.

Correct.

Not even a rumour there by the way sorry , just think he's decent and if he can write another song like The Gambler then that's a terrace anthem for a while. I kind of hope there are a few players going under the radar that we're after, because I'm a bit tired of the same old links and us all going back and forth on it. Can't wait for the transfer window to be over really. Saying that, I've come right round to either the Elanga and Guehi links and I'm not sure on the GK position - Pope is better than decent but I kind of get won over by the debates on here about distribution and how it changes the team. Sort of looking forward to seeing it all play out as I'm pretty confident we'll have a competitive squad whatever. Just a bit scarred by that CL season which was magical at the time, but where we just didn't have enough depth because of a crazy injury crisis. That latter thing probably being why I wouldn't want to keep Wilson as good as he's been in the past or risk DCL.

So, are we signing Rogers then?

Was kind of thinking you'd need to be loitering around the top 8 or so by then. Long summer ahead as well so maybe too early to say. Don't know what your thoughts are or whether that'll be enough. Edit, as a minimum or whether that's a fast enough improvement, no idea what the expectations are.

Fair point about the versatility. I think they're both excellent players and can't deny I'd have been happy with either plus both could fit into a lot of systems. Last one, before I get back to fretting about my own team, honestly how long do you reckon Amorim gets next season if things don't improve a lot?

Thanks. It wasn't a loaded question. I think he did say that it wasn't ideal to be appointed when he was. Which was surely true and I suppose as much as you could say, a bit like Howe appearing to be unhappy with the changes last summer, but also stopping short of saying that as well. At least, how that was reported on with both of those things, so pinch of salt and all that. Just wondered how much say you think he has, because I've no idea how it works behind the scenes with the current set up.

Genuinely don't know

Has Amorim ever called the ownership out?

He wouldn't be a popular one, but I would be OK with signing him on a free as long as wages weren't crazy. The fitness issues obviously bother me and everyone, but we're not at the stage where we can just sign competition to Isak. Or someone we do think is good enough but who is still happy to play second fiddle. Still hoping Osula comes on next season and maybe DCL could be a mentor as Isak plays an entirely different game. Wouldn't be happy, exactly, but willing to be proven wrong and think we have too many other holes in the squad to plug first.