The Kraken

Don’t think there much else choice unless Che went in there, and I thought before the game that the bench would be the best he’d get. Adarma can’t really play up top on his own in this system so it’s about the best realistic option we had. If it’s not going great then at least Che is there from the bench.

Interesting line up, that bench is ridiculous. Feel like we need to get this game out of the way with a positive result then Rusty gets to spend two weeks with his finalised squad and no outside distractions.

Far too many of those from the “happy to be proved wrong” brigade who collectively soiled their pants at various stages. Some of the doom laden predictions were as funny then as they look now.

Ok, I take it back, he is a crank

Yep, was just thinking this myself, the dynamic isn’t great with him there plus THB will surely benefit from playing alongside a slightly older head. I like the 4 of THB, Janny B, Stephens and Holgate.

He hasn’t got many followers but I looked back through his timeline and there’s a few saints snippets in there that were true. Not sure when he made them compared to when the news came out, mind. But he’s not a total crank.

Yep, very surprised we’ve managed to get him. Would’ve thought any loan would be to a PL side, but I thought a few PL sides would come in for him on a perm.

Bench at best I reckon. The manager said he’s been pulled from pillar to post so I imagine his head is all over the place. Plus he won’t have done final prep training today with the team.

Very much so. Keeping Che and signing Stewart is a great result for this season. I get the feeling Che will likely be pissed off though so he might not sign the new deal offered, which is far from ideal for next season’s funds.

Ings has his bumper £120k a week contract weighing down any move elsewhere. West Ham might offset some of it but you can’t think they’d go 50/50 and loan him to a rival, and at 60k a week that’s out of championship club range. And I’m sure Ings won’t be taking a drop in pay to move elsewhere. Hard to see anyone wanting him who can afford him.

10 goals in 12 games (it’s actually 13) is unproven? Sunderland fans rave about him, I’m listening to them.

I can see how people could be worried about Stewart’s injury problems but being underwhelmed as a whole is pretty bizarre. Take the injury out and it’s a brilliant signing for this level. Most Sunderland fans (a side who finished in the Championship playoffs last season) are gutted to see him go and plenty saying they think he’s the best striker in the division.

If Mara is indeed off I think we absolutely need a replacement. Hopefully it’s in hand.

Because we’ve agreed he can leave to go there for the fee the club wants, it’s just a deferred payment as Wolves are stuffed for FFP. It’s why their old manager Loptegui left in acrimonious circumstances before the season started, Wolves need to get money in and only spend a little this window. Hence, they get Adams for “free” this summer and can put the £15M in next summer’s FFP bundle. it’s a shit deal tbf. But it is what it is, Adams clearly wanted to go and was at times shoved on the bench and/or training away from the first team. If anything I’m not sure why we’d give someone like that the flipping armband.

So far it’s 13 senior first team players: Caballero, Theo, Elmo end of contract; DCC, Perraud, Lyanco loaned out; Tino, Orsic, Salisu, JWP, Lavia, Diallo, Tella sold. The rest are the likes of Dan Nlundulu and Kegs Chauke. Of those gone I’m only sorry to say goodbye to 4 or 5 of them, it’s been a good reset and was entirely predictable.

Touchdown.

The fuck is going on, off for another flyby.

😆

Well he’s had a lovely tour of England’s major cities. Strange flight plan but makes for a nice view.

Yeah sounds like it I suppose, end of September at a push but won’t want to rush it.

Sunderland forums were suggesting he’s been in light training and they were trying to organise a behind closed doors friendly in the international break for him.

Loganair flight leaves Newcastle at 1755, lands Southampton 1910.

Need to make sure the fax machine is plugged in and working.

Sunderland were trying to get hold of him on loan earlier in the summer, perhaps still are as a replacement for Stewart.

Looks like he’s gone to Salford so obviously didn’t make it at Watford.