Ross Stewart

[S-Clarke]

It's the same argument as in the summer really, we cannot put all our eggs into the Ross Stewart basket. If we keep him around it should be on a deal which works for us, lower wage, shorter length, weighted towards appearances etc.

But we need to go out and buy a first choice striker, Stewart - if he stays - will be part of the squad, we need to go out and buy a Larin or similar who is going to be the main striker. We can't have a situation again where we are so poorly stacked up top with just Stewart as the only 'true' number 9 we have.

I'm somewhat discounting Downs as he's continued his 'non footballer' form at Hamburg too, so I think we can discount him ever being any use.

[Jack]

4 hours ago, Football Special said:

We're about to play a minimum of 8 games in a month, crazy schedule to end the season and we'll need Stewart to stay fit for as much of that as possible, he'll be keen to prove himself to earn another contract with us or elsewhere. Do we have an automatic option to extend? 

I feel like if he even plays half of the minutes from those 8+ games, we’re doing well out of him. Such a shame that he can’t be relied on and he can’t ever get a proper run of games to play himself into form. 
 

The other worry is we’re very reliant on Larin staying fit, he’ll need to chip in with a lot of minutes too. 

[pimpin4rizeal]

2 hours ago, Jack said:

I feel like if he even plays half of the minutes from those 8+ games, we’re doing well out of him. Such a shame that he can’t be relied on and he can’t ever get a proper run of games to play himself into form. 
 

The other worry is we’re very reliant on Larin staying fit, he’ll need to chip in with a lot of minutes too. 

For me jury is still out on larin as well, we know he’s a good physical presence but whether he can be a high scoring clinical striker is still a big question 

[Turkish]

6 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

It's the same argument as in the summer really, we cannot put all our eggs into the Ross Stewart basket. If we keep him around it should be on a deal which works for us, lower wage, shorter length, weighted towards appearances etc.

But we need to go out and buy a first choice striker, Stewart - if he stays - will be part of the squad, we need to go out and buy a Larin or similar who is going to be the main striker. We can't have a situation again where we are so poorly stacked up top with just Stewart as the only 'true' number 9 we have.

I'm somewhat discounting Downs as he's continued his 'non footballer' form at Hamburg too, so I think we can discount him ever being any use.

But we did go out and buy a first choice striker, unfortunately he was absolute pony.

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

But we did go out and buy a first choice striker, unfortunately he was absolute pony.

I genuinely think he’s the worst outfield player I’ve ever seen for us in 40+ years.

That includes Ali Dia, Lee Todd, David Lee and Scott Marshall (OG).

Makes Keith Cassells look like Didier Drogba. 

Edit - worst I’ve ever seen in professional football. And I’ve seen some shit players for the likes of Cheltenham Town, Torquay United etc.

Edited March 30 by Gloucester Saint

[Ex Lion Tamer]

3 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

For me jury is still out on larin as well, we know he’s a good physical presence but whether he can be a high scoring clinical striker is still a big question 

He doesn't really need to be high scoring if his presence in the team enables the others

[pimpin4rizeal]

9 hours ago, Ex Lion Tamer said:

He doesn't really need to be high scoring if his presence in the team enables the others

Ideally I think we would all rather have a Rickie Lambert then just a lump up front enabling others is kind of second job for a striker 

[Miltonaggro]

14 hours ago, Ex Lion Tamer said:

He doesn't really need to be high scoring if his presence in the team enables the others

That's my take. Main game is unsettling oppo defences and hold up play, and he's good at that, rather like Che Adams.

[Barton Saint]

15 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

I genuinely think he’s the worst outfield player I’ve ever seen for us in 40+ years.

That includes Ali Dia, Lee Todd, David Lee and Scott Marshall (OG).

Makes Keith Cassells look like Didier Drogba. 

Edit - worst I’ve ever seen in professional football. And I’ve seen some shit players for the likes of Cheltenham Town, Torquay United etc.

 

[Barton Saint]

Just now, Barton Saint said:

 

I actually think that’s unfair he had a a real impact at Fulham and has now scored 3 goals gaining 3 points and how is the opening goal v Oxford not worthy of a mention?

[S-Clarke]

17 hours ago, Turkish said:

But we did go out and buy a first choice striker, unfortunately he was absolute pony.

True, but I still think he was seen by the club as a 'development' player rather than a day 1 hit the ground running type, which was the wrong sort for me - this meant we were still relying on Stewart being the proven experienced type.

Larin fills that hole for now, he's certainly not a world beater, but he's the sort we should have aimed for in the summer rather than more up coming prospects.

[OldNick]

18 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

For me jury is still out on larin as well, we know he’s a good physical presence but whether he can be a high scoring clinical striker is still a big question 

No jury needed, he s a stop gap until the end of the season, to give back up for Ross. So far he has contributedwell and if he keepsthat going then he has beena major success

[Lymington Saint]

Brian Clough on centre forwards - by Mark Crossley.  'Get hold of the ball.  Keep it - because it is yours.  Then pass it to someone who can play.  Get in the box.  Score me a diving header.  Preferably get cut while you're doing it as it looks better in the paper'.

Think Ross Stewart fits that mould.  Downs certainly didn't as I have seen better control of a ball from park players.

[Jeremy Corbyn]

If he keeps up this form surely Scotland will take him to 'Merica? He's probably their best striker when fit and on form.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, Jeremy Corbyn said:

If he keeps up this form surely Scotland will take him to 'Merica? He's probably their best striker when fit and on form.

He's probably their only striker when fit and on form.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

12 minutes ago, saintant said:

He's probably their only striker when fit and on form.

They could certainly do a lot worse. If he can stay fit then surely he is worth a look in any friendly games they have.

[East Kent Saint]

Good that he is a striker who scores goals , heads the ball well with great placement 

[Galway saint]

He is a quality striker when fit. 

Have the Arsenal centre backs faced a better striker this season ?

Reminds me of klaus aughentaler

[Convict Colony]

4 minutes ago, Galway saint said:

He is a quality striker when fit. 

Have the Arsenal centre backs faced a better striker this season ?

Reminds me of klaus aughentaler

erm I think Harry Kane might be a touch better 😜 

[Galway saint]

14 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

erm I think Harry Kane might be a touch better 😜 

Kane was shite in that Bayern game and Stewart was far better on Saturday. 

[BarberSaint]

2 hours ago, Galway saint said:

He is a quality striker when fit. 

Have the Arsenal centre backs faced a better striker this season ?

Reminds me of klaus aughentaler

I can see why the Sunderland fans rated him. And I think there's still more to come, but it might take a couple of years until the injuries have faded.

[bugenhagen]

3 hours ago, Galway saint said:

He is a quality striker when fit. 

Have the Arsenal centre backs faced a better striker this season ?

Reminds me of klaus aughentaler

Wasn't Klaus Augenthaler a defender? Maybe Karl-Heinz Rummenigge?
I just remember them from the German teams in World Cups and Euros from 86 to 90, when I was a kid, so a little curious 🙂

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, bugenhagen said:

Wasn't Klaus Augenthaler a defender? Maybe Karl-Heinz Rummenigge?
I just remember them from the German teams in World Cups and Euros from 86 to 90, when I was a kid, so a little curious 🙂

Yes he was.

(I just looked him up 😊)

[spyinthesky]

On 08/04/2026 at 04:06, East Kent Saint said:

Good that he is a striker who scores goals , heads the ball well with great placement 

I have a few mates who support Sunderland and, without exception, they were very positive in their comments about Ross, not only as a goal scorer and link up man but also defending corners in defence.
Just hope that Ross can have a run of injury free games.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Should he stay, this article suggests that we won't have to worry about a World Cup injury, as Clarke will stick with the squad he has.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1w4vl3nyz0o

[suewhistle]

A quote from the article:

Quote

The fact that Stewart is barely mentioned as a possible squad player in America is nuts.

 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

25 minutes ago, suewhistle said:

A quote from the article:

 

Up to Ross to make the Scotland manager realise this. Two or three more goals this season (or tomorrow ) and think he'll be in with a good shout.

[kitch]

45 minutes ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

Up to Ross to make the Scotland manager realise this. Two or three more goals this season (or tomorrow ) and think he'll be in with a good shout.

It's mental that he's not already included, but Lydon Dykes is.

[Graffito]

“He [Stewart] has a conversion rate of 31%. That's remarkably high. When he plays, he's been one of the-most efficient goalscorers in the entire league.”

Compare that to the conversion rates of the other duffers and it absolutely would be nuts not to take Stewart. But yeah we don’t want him injured.

 

[saintant]

2 hours ago, kitch said:

It's mental that he's not already included, but Lydon Dykes is.

This guy should be cleaning Ross's boots.

[trousers]

Named in the Scotland world cup squad. Congratulations Ross!

 

Edited 2 hours ago by trousers

[Divergent]

Great news for him. He deserves it. 

[S-Clarke]

Delighted for him, such a huge reward after a torrid few years. I just hope they manage him correctly during the summer.

I thought it was over for him, I didn't ever see him coming back properly - but credit to him, as there must have been some dark days. I don't think he'll ever be a full 90 every week kind of player again, but he can still have an impact.

[beatlesaint]

That is absolutely fantastic news. If any player deserves the call up after what he's been through injury wise its him.  

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Would be classic Saints to watch Ross go off to the World Cup out of contract, have a stormer and sign for someone else. He’s done enough to get a new deal with his form since January whatever Division we are in n IMO. 

[AlexLaw76]

There is another win in that squad - Angus Gunn

😶
 

has Stewart won this place due to the misfortune of the Boro player?

Edited 1 hour ago by AlexLaw76

[whelk]

Stewart has the misfortune to be playing at the time when he has to dislodge Dykes and Che Adams in front of him. 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

Weirdly the Beeb lead the story with a pic of him from a few years ago in a Sunderland shirt.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g94rpvx73o

[Saint_clark]

16 minutes ago, Ivan Katalinic's 'tache said:

Would be classic Saints to watch Ross go off to the World Cup out of contract, have a stormer and sign for someone else. He’s done enough to get a new deal with his form since January whatever Division we are in n IMO. 

If he was going to sign a contract he'd have signed one by now. 

[Sunglasses Ron]

BBC using a flattering, out-of-date, image of the LND...

Edited 1 hour ago by Sunglasses Ron

[Baird of the land]

31 minutes ago, Ivan Katalinic's 'tache said:

Would be classic Saints to watch Ross go off to the World Cup out of contract, have a stormer and sign for someone else. He’s done enough to get a new deal with his form since January whatever Division we are in n IMO. 

Very happy for Ross. However, this is a big concern. Hopefully the club have been negotiating in the background and something was be quickly signed if fingers crossed we get to play at wembley and it goes our way.

[St Chalet]

Great news for The LND.

I believe the club have an option for another year and we were in discussions about a longer term (but less wages deal). What division we are in next season will no doubt determine what if any option we all take.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

27 minutes ago, Sunglasses Ron said:

BBC using a flattering, out-of-date, image of the LND...

Lazy lot. Newer pic are easy enough to find.

Well done Ross!

(Stay injury free)

[Saint Pete]

Great news fro Ross and well deserved. Interesting that McBurnie hasn't made the squad despite 17 goals in the Championship this season. Clarke obviously doesn't fancy he has the quality for international football, but you could certainly argue that for a couple of the other strikers making the trip as well! 

Edited 1 hour ago by Saint Pete

[Lord Duckhunter]

Unbelievable for the bloke really. I’m sure he’d have taken just making it to the end of the season injury free if you’d asked him at Xmas. Let’s hope, whether it’s with us or not, that all his misfortune is behind him and he can finally have a decent run and a few seasons injury free 

Edited 1 hour ago by Lord Duckhunter

[Thripp87]

Great news for Ross. Would love to see him score to get us up and get some World Cup minutes. Deserves it after what he has been through  to get back to this point.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

1 hour ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

Weirdly the Beeb lead the story with a pic of him from a few years ago in a Sunderland shirt.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g94rpvx73o

Don't worry, they've updated it now. With a different pic of him in a Sunderland shirt.

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

Named in the Scotland world cup squad. Congratulations Ross!

 

Stewart and Shankland are the best 2 in that line up tbh. Boro fans are spitting.

Boro fans are not happy that Conway got injured vs saints and then replaced by a southampton player. Not very impartial or respectful of sporting intergrity.

Edited 11 minutes ago by Saint86