Fabrice29

Well you didn't say premier league quality firstly but Ramsdale, Lallana, Fraser, Cornet, BBD, Archer, Taylor all had at the very least respectable PL seasons behind them.

I reckon at least 7 of our signings last summer could be considered "seasoned professionals" so not sure we've ignored them tbh.

All this does/would do is leave you over paying players who haven't played or under paying players who have played and played well. Which isn't a culture thats going to attract good talents. Other than that, top idea.

Will Smallbone could be the fittest player in the club and league for all I know. He could be able to replicate his top skills consistently more than anyone over a longer period of time. That's fitness to me. He undoubtedly isn't the strongest or quickest though which would be physicality to me. I never thought anyone apart from Onuachu and Fernandes occasionally looked like they were out on their feet last season, so I had no issues with fitness. Did I see the majority of the squad get bullied physically? Yep, 100%. I think that lies in recruiting more physical players, not boosting players fitness.

I dont think fitness and conditioning are the same as "quality, physicality or intensity" fwiw.

The idea that we were unfit last time we were in the Championship considering our record in the final parts of the game stands up pretty well that season is about as on point with the idea that we didn't attack teams in that season too.

No moving on here. Go speak to a therapist about it, or your daughter if you have one.

One of the first posts in this thread is you 3 years ago laughing at the idea of people enjoying womens football and dismissing the idea that they should have a certain amount of media coverage. Rather than ignore the thing you don't like, you continue to make the same point 3 years later, on a semi regular basis. I can only assume it makes you feel good to continue to make that point because there doesn't appear to be any other motive behind it?

45 minutes vs Eastleigh btw. Where can I get odds on Matsuki delivering more than 7 goals and 4 assists next season?

Keep making yourself feel better by telling everyone how you like boys more than girls hun.

God I really hope a few of you don’t have daughters 🤣 ‘enjoy your sport but just remember the boys are better at it so don’t get too ahead of yourself and definitely don’t try to promote it’

Okay so in a years time if we get promoted then potentially all 3 are on our books and we're looking for another yeah?

Why do people want this out of interest? Do people see someone Sunderland have deemed not good enough as a potential long term option for us then?

Why?

Said this recently too. Niche position, not sure Ramsdale offers much "value" at 10 - 20 million presumably? Certainly little resale value. We/he have to find a club desperate for a quality keeper who were setback by their original, cheaper, alternative option, like we were towards the end of the last window. Maybe even a late loan.

The amount of key passes he makes, successful dribbles and shots all go up over his career when he plays on the left. Cutting inside opens up the whole pitch to him whereas I think he becomes more one dimensional when he's put at right back personally. Was picked to play at left back for England too remember. Not totally surprised at the move to Turkey. Chance for European football which he probably isn't going to get from a club here unless he wants to be on the bench for it.

I'd be shocked if someone is signing him in the future. Not overly chuffed with the decision but seeing as quite a few managers in a row now have hinted at Stephens being one of few "leaders" "voices" in the dressing room then it feels fine. Probably an area we should be addressing though. Bit of personality as Nathan Jones would say.

This is all well and good until we get up and you want us to replace those players because they aren't proven at the next level. Ramsdale biggest issue is one of the issues that he faced last summer. Affordable to PL teams yes but is spending nearly £20 million value? Clubs will fancy themselves to find a cheaper alternative and only towards the end of the window will patience on either side break.

If this is what the club are thinking it’s very daft. The ‘got what we need because it’s a weaker league’ attitude stinks and will be what trips us up. Thankfully, the signings of Downs and Quarshie suggest they are looking long term and now is the time to reset where they can.

Quite a lot of our squad have the experience and/or quality of a promotion of the Championship with us on their CV or better. Last thing we need is more players experienced but PL teams haven’t picked up. If we’re going down the route of signing physical qualities then young, unproven players is going to be the way forward for this season and beyond.

The table will work this out for you both at the end of the season.

I think they have slightly better rivals for the 9# than each other tbh. Presumably these two, Sargent and Wright are all fighting out in the Championship for the third striker spot behind Balogun and Pepi at the World Cup.

Perfect. Nobody say anything just in case we accidentally stumble upon something valid. Please.