4 hours ago, Tom said:

I’d take Otzumer as a Dackup option on a free 

Not just as a backup, could play as one of the inside forwards behind Graham.

Either way, its a no-brainer on a free.

The Shrewsbury player Ogogo is on a free too at end of season and unlikely to renew - their key player according to them. Would not be a bad shout if funds are limited.

4 hours ago, Acrover said:

Some decent playets on thst list, also checked out the premier league list and theres a few that may be worth a punt,

Stephen Ireland

Charlie Adam 

And a few that I would love to see in blue and white halves but don't think we could afford atm.

I've read what you all have to say about this window and the likelyhood is they in pune can see the impact Mowbray has had and will invest even if it is a modest amount. If he is smart aboit his bueniss he can do it on a modest budget and make us competitive, we will need this year to find our feet in the league and if by jan we are in with a shout of the play-offs then he can demand more investment to get us over the line.  

IN MOWBRAY WE TRUST!

Just no - no more players in the twilight of their careers looking for a final contract to get rich off.

Murphy, Etuhu, Whittingham - which of these were a success?

2 hours ago, Admiral Nelsen said:

Basically think that's right, especially about Samuel who looks like he could be a handy player if he was a bit more mentally robust.

Do think you're being slightly generous to Evans though. He's had big injury issues in his time here, and he has had a couple of good games recently, but sadly I think it fits far too much with the pattern of the last few seasons; he doesn't put any real stamp on games until the point when people are ready to write him off, then he puts in a couple of better performances to keep him in the frame.

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty worse than him, and I wouldn't be absolutely desperate to get him out of the club or anything like that. I'd imagine, however, that he's one of the bigger earners, so if we got an offer for him I definitely think we could use the money better elsewhere. 

Oh I would certainly snap someones arm off if we could get money for him, or even just off the books - I just dont see it happening. He will be on tidy wages as one of our more senior players now (in terms of how long he has been here) and he strikes me as someone that would rather keep earning them and then trying to find somewhere to go when out of contract. 

We did convince Sunderland to buy Steele though, so anything is possible.

Just now, Biz said:

I actually think you’ve pretty much nailed it but there are two that I slightly disagree on;

1. Evans - I think he has played better at times this season and since we may look to play two sitting midfielders, he has the experience to be an able backup. “Freytend” at the prospect of Bennett and Smallwood being the only two senior players to do that job, especially when one is a utility player.

Realistically though, I’d love to see some investment in this position, another Smallwood - someone who does both attack and defend.

2. Samuel. I know he’s been indifferent this season, and poor at times but I really see something in his abilities - since Antonsson has returned I’d say Dom has been slightly more productive. If we look to play two at top next season, who are we realistically going to get, 24 years old, 6’2, bit of pace and energy? Without spending a few quid anyway.

I admit I’d take decent bids for both but another factor is keeping some team spirit and momentum. I’d take 2 strong investments in key areas to bolster the youth and a similar amount of loans if quality is available.

One thing is for sure, I hope for an improvement in recruitment overall, based on the improvements to the scouting, the club said they’d made last season.

Have to agree, firstly, getting rid is not so easy and they are contracted to the club. 

I would have them around as squad players to give them a chance to earn another contract or see it out. Evans has champs experience as does Samuel (ibelieve though not much?). Evans has put in a few decent performances of late as he has done over the years but due to injuries and whatnot, they have never been consistent. As for Samuel, he seems to have the physical attributes but lacks mentally.

i just wouldnt be too hasty with outgoings anyway - dont want to disrupt the core of what brought us up. Strengthen around it and get rid of the more obvious deadwood.

Just now, Mike E said:

On the Whittingham conundrum (try saying that quickly 5 times), I note a few thought he and Travis complemented each other well vs Charlton.

COULD be worth trying, esp as he'd be hard to shift imo.

Yep - will be very hard to shift. Might have no choice but to try and utilise him somehow. 

Just now, Mercer said:

Wouldn't be my choice but generally seems highly rated throughout the game with both Fergie and Hodgson among his admirers.

Well he would certainly be a fool to turn it down, newly debt-free club with big crowds and presumably a good budget to build a squad to walk that league. We have seen how awful that league is and it just takes a few quality players that can make the difference.

36 minutes ago, Mercer said:

No chance of Leicester job.

Understand he's Sunderland's number 1 target.  Lumped on him at 12/1.  Now down to 6/1 but still good value.

I find it quite a bemusing choice tbh, Appleton, apart from securing promotion from League 2 with Oxford, he has done nothing apart from two very short stints at Blackpool and Rovers and was manager when Portsmouth were relegated from the championship.

Shrews fans have accepted all season that Hurst will likely be elsewhere next season due to how he has performed there. He knows League 1, and think he would be the best option for Sunderland. Ipswich too as he knows how to perform well without a budget.

Sunderland being debt free all of a sudden really makes me wish our much wealthier owners took note. Made me feel quite sick reading that knowing our very own situation - I expect their fans will be over the moon though.

They will walk League 1 now.

12 hours ago, alcd said:

He only looks effective when played centrally. A good finisher but lack of height means he certainly needs a partner. I suspect he can only be a sub in the Championship when chasing a game that's become stretched. Worth taking again on loan but not a purchase.

I have thought this for some time. Its almost as if he is a generation too late. 15 years ago he could well be plying his trade in the PL back when front twos were commonplace. Not too disimilar to a Michael Owen type.

With one up top being practically the norm these days, small nippy players like him will find it difficult as they do not have the physicality to play the lone role and need a partner.

If I were him, I would do my best to learn and master the inside forward role that he has now as getting a striking berth is going to be tough for him.

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

The Smallwood of the first half of the season, definitely. The Smallwood post January ? I'm not so sure.

Well he practically had no value when we signed him after he was out of contract at a relegated Rotherham. He now has a promotion on his CV having been an ever-present in the lineup. Pretty sure thats nailed on increase in value.

Big test for him is if he can cope in the championship.

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I wasn't expecting much backing in the last close season but I was wrong. We did get a bit of money to spend. The problem is a £750,000 player can make a big difference in this league, in the Championship it's £7.5 million players that make a big difference.

I'm not sure Venkies want to get back in that game, we'll know before too long.

I' not going into it again but Mowbray has signed his share of flops as well as the success stories. Will they think the money he has been given has been spent wisely in terms of player re-sale value ? Take Dack out of the equation and how many of his signing have increased in value ? 

Smallwood would have but you are right. Some think his overall signings have been great but id say average tbh. Dack, Smallwood, Downing (to an extent) from the perms have been positives but Gladwin, Caddis, and Whittingham have been pants and Samuel has been disapointing, so you could say 3 out of 7 which is not that great.. I did not include Bell as its difficult to say as we have not seen enough of him yet.

As for loans, you could argue he has done better here with Chapman, Armstrong, Payne and Antonsson at least contributing and being a part of the squad.

As for 7.5 million players being the equivalent of 750k players in League 1, you are probably right in terms of proven quality. I still feel that there are plenty of shrewder signings that could be made that would improve on what we already have or compliment it. id rather this than going back to big transfers fees that could do more than good as happened the last time.

Would be nice if they could throw 5 mil in though if it was used to pick up 2 or 3 decent players with potential and with future resale value. Then work with out of contracts and loans for the rest.

Bit odd if they dont have cash around - isnt their main business doing better than ever right now?

Besides, i thought there were two budgets drawn up, one for Championship and one for league 1? What was it then, fck all and fck all.

Just now, Mozzer said:

We should try sign Hakeem Adelakun from Scunthorpe.  Pace for the wings , and assists 

Yup, think we should pluck a few from 'down there in L1' (great to be able to say that again). Hungry players that want to progress. Do not think picking up out of contract Championship players is the way to go - if they are not good enough for their clubs, then they are not really good enough for us. There might be some exceptions though - so lets see.

3 hours ago, blueboy3333 said:

@#/? love Benno. Proper welling up watching what it means to him.

I'm ashamed I may break down sobbing at the Oxford game

I could spend on day on Twitter seeing the many videos, tweets from players etc. Fantastic stuff.

We've been there and done that with Gallacher. He did look decent in spells but not sure he is what we need.

Quite like the look of that 3-5-2, Armstrong upfront with Grahams and Dack behind could be quite lethal.

Just now, oozy_brfc said:

I think Mowbray might opt for a 3-5-2 next year, we've looked fantastic on the counter and attacking spaces. The underdog title in most game may benefit us and allow us to play to our strengths. 

Priority for me has to be 

-an experienced keeper as a backup

- Towering centre-half. Mulgrew's set pieces are fantastic and it's criminal we don't have someone really attacking them. Quite like Sonny Bradley from Plymouth.

- Technical/Energetic CM. Evans is hit and miss, Whittingham isn't good enough. Bennet plays well there but I'd love an established player

- Pace/Power on the wings. Cardiff have shown this season  Mendez Laing/Hoilett can cause damage. Adelakun from Scunthorpe has impressed in periods this year 

- Target Man/ Pacey Striker. Graham deserves to start but injury concerns. A younger, more mobile target man alongside Armstrong on loan would be great. 

We looked a bit slow/weak last time around in the Championship. If the recruitment is right, we may surprise a few next season. Mowbray seems to have added resiliance to this whole club. Here's hoping, we're on our way back 

Good first post - welcome to the board

Agree with most of what you have said.

Any suggestions? I am more interested in a Graham-like striker to be back up to Graham. Decent at holding up the ball,  a good finisher and is smart. 

48 minutes ago, Garage Flower said:

Is it just a Rovers thing or do all clubs do it? Big world out there like let’s get some lads 23-30 years of age in, mixed bag of experience and potential and build a semi competitive squad. You don’t have to spend absolute fortunes.

Raya is more than capable of being our first choice keeper in league one. Haven’t seen enough of Leutwiler to make a proper judgement but he’ll do for back up.

I’d expect to see Bell starting at left wing back next season as I think that’s why Tony brought him. I’ve seen enough of him to say that suits his attributes. Williams can always fill in when needed. 

I think Tony will be happy enough with Lenihan and Mulgrew at centre back with either Williams or Downing joining them, I’d like to see us sign a proven Championship centre half who’d start every game. Wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t. 

I’m not convinced by Nyambe at right wing back in the Championship starting week in week out, I think we could do with signing someone to be first choice with Nyambe as back up. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bennett cement that place as his own and us not sign anyone. 

Smallwood will start in the middle for us but I’m not the biggest fan of him with Bennett and Evans next to him. We need a bit of quality next to Smallwood. Probably my top priority signing is a good centre mid to compliment Smallwood.

We need proper width. At the moment we’ve only really got Bennett and Conway. For me Conway’s legs have gone and he isn’t the player he was a couple of seasons ago, I would keep him as a squad player but he cannot be starting for us in the Championship next year. I’d like to see Chapman return depending on how he’s recovered from his injury.

I think we could have a chance of permanent signing of Armstrong or at least try him on another season long loan. Our squad is very lacking in pace. 

Dack is Dack he’s our main man. Don’t fancy Payne on a permanent deal even as back up. I think we can sign a better back up for Dack maybe someone who could genuinely slot into playing centre midfield or out wide not someone who looks like they’ve been cast out there to squeeze them in.

Graham deserves the chance to be our main forward leading the line after his second half of the season. Samuel isn’t up to it. Need good competition for Graham a player in a similar style. Hopefully we’d have Armstrong to play a different way with his pace. If not we need to sign a forward pace.

I just don’t know what to make of Nuttall only young the lad can’t see him being on mega bucks keep him around I guess. 

I’d send Antonsson back to Leeds. Works hard has played his part but I don’t see the potential for him leading the line or becoming a genuine thread from out wide.

Already covered Payne and Samuel but I’d also show the door to Whittingham, Gladwin, Caddis, Hart, Ward (keen to see back of him on his obscene wages!) and Feeny seems a bad egg and will no doubt want out.

Cant decide on Evans he’s had his moments and isn’t that old really. I think we could get someone more reliable for the money he’s on though. 

The squad needs a lot of work for the big step up to Championship next season, a few lads are on quite high wages who we don’t really need. I think there are better players out there we could get for the cash we’re paying. 

 

Agree with all of this apart from the bolded part. I think he has looked excellent in parts and its only because of Dack that he has not featured more. The kid has obvious talent and i believe more technical ability than Dack. Dack is a dribbler, a direct kind of guy while this guy is more tactile. 

Played a big part in Hudds getting promotion the year before. If we can get him in for a good deal, i wouldn't be too disappointed.

Just now, DanielMB said:

How about that young striker Joel Asoro? Isn't he supposed to be a pretty big talent?

Well, yeah highly rated but very young. Dont know too much about him - is he really a striker? With 2 goals in 24 appearances this season, I would hope not.

2 minutes ago, Tom said:

Out - Conway, Caddis, Gladalloverwin

Loan end - Antonsson, thanks but no thanks

Sign Chapman if a cheap deal can be done, it’s a risk but the potential reward is greater than the risk.

Try and get Armstrong back for another year at least.

Otzumer in on a free if we can (if not then Payne) along with Abu Ogogo on a free if Shrews don’t go up.

That would be a start for me along with a 19 year deal for Dack 

Forgot Ogogo is out of contract - he would be a decent shout.

Just now, roversfan99 said:

Definitely feel that the wings for me need to be number 1 priority. Once the loans of the players weve played there expire, who arent even wingers, as well as Conways contract expiry, then we have a bug gap there. Graham and Dacks partnership needs to be maintained for as long as possible, although we need a better alternative than Samuel, but we need at least 2 wingers with pace to come in around that, as well as Armstrong.

Think we need another central midfielder too, but wide has to be priority.

Conway and Samuel, weve disagreed on, but on what grounds would you keep Ben Gladwin?! Hes a donkey.

Not necessarily what id do, but what makes you suggest that Bell will come in as number 1 left back next year? Cant see Williams being dropped.

Also, a lot of suggestions ive seen for players that used to play of us, even players like Gallagher and Mahoney who didnt do very much. I also feel that Chapman may be partially sentimental due to his injuries, Id like to think that Mowbray will cast the net further rather than go for old players.

he is better going forward than Williams and probably just as good when defending. I agree that its not nailed on that WIlliams will be dropped but I am not sure why we bought him otherwise. League 1 LB of the years, reasonable outlay at that level. Feel he will play a lot more next season - was coveted by Championship clubs before we came calling.

Just now, Bbrovers2288 said:

Don’t get wanky, my point being he has a lot more experience and played against top players whereas Smallwood is more use to lg 1 standards 

Will also be on big wages having dropped two divisions. Had a very serious injury not so long ago too.

Just not sure anyone from Sunderland would be worth the risk financially or ability wise.

25 bit part appearances in the PL, and a season in the championship (not sure if ever present). Smallwood has played 4 or 5 seasons at Championship level and a couple at League 1 level.

Just now, Bbrovers2288 said:

Been excellent lately and is far too good for lg 1, also had a great education at Man Utd and an international 

Evans is an international...might as well keep him then. Lets put Leutwiller in goal too.

Just now, Bbrovers2288 said:

After an initial good start he has fell way off standard, he now looks weak in the tackle, poor passing, he hits a good shot in about a 1/10 ratio and most alarming to me in the pboro game he was blowin out his ar#e after 60 mins. Plus to that he has never excelled at champ level. To me he is a backup.

get paddy McNair in 

To be fair, he has only played in the Championship with a weak Rotherham side around him. Perhaps the way we set up suits him as well. I would not be writing him off yet. Think he needs quality around him so that his hard-working, undervalued role can be effective.

A striker that can hold the ball up is a must in a formation like the one we are playing. He has to be able to bring the three behind him into play as much as possible. Maybe a younger guy with potential that can grow into the role behind Graham and step when Graham ultimately does call it a day or is moved on.

Proper wingers, preferably two of them.

Payne back or Otzhumer in on free as backup/to play alongside Dack. Armstrong back as cover for up top and also behind in the three.

Midfield needs a shake up. Would give Smallwood a go but need somebody alongside him. Bennett could be that guy but we need other options too. Ideally some decent cover too if Evans does go.

Mulgrew and Lenihan is good enough but we need deeper cover. Downing i not sure is up to it at that level and Mulgrew prior to this season has always been a bit injury prone.

Counting on Bell to be LB, Williams as cover. As for RB, not sure Nyambe is ready at that level despite improving this season. Would look to get someone in here.

Raya deserves to keep his place int he sticks for the season.

Just now, BlackburnEnd75 said:

Outgoings:

Out of contract - Ward, Feeney, Caddis, Conway

Sell:   Gladwin, Samuel, Evans or Whittingham (If anyone will take them)

As one of the previous posters has mentioned, we have a good team spirit and you don't want to upset that. Example would selling Samuel unsettle Dack? Conway is past his best and shouldn't really be considered unless its on a fraction of the wage. We have an option on another year for Graham which we need to take. I imagine Armstrong will be available again at least on loan so I think that suits all parties if he comes back. Wouldn't waste the budget on Antonsson, I'd be keen on Chapman but he'd be a gamble now. Payne i'd take also if he was available again as back up. He's got quality and you can't have enough of that.

So IMO we'd need to target:-

1 x Centre Midfielder - preferably a passer to player with Smallwood. just need one quality addition in there

2 x Winger/Wide Player - Bennett would be the only wide player on the books. Hopefully Chapman can be one of these players, if not a similar type of player should be one.

Adam Armstrong

1 x Centre Forward - We need someone to share the strike with Graham, ideally someone who has better hold up play than Samuel or Nuttall

 

 

Not sure it would, they are renting a flat together and not sure they would be doing the same going forward anyway. Perhaps Dack wants to set up home with his reality TV star.

Dack seems to get on well with a bunch of the lads, Graham and Mulgrew for starters as well as some of the younger guys like Smallwood and Chapman. Doubt it would bother him that much if Samuel left.