Sunderland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours

therokerroar · 23-01-2010 5:05pm

Doocey wrote: »

Maybe, but you lot mightn't be the only ones in for Beye.

da Silva has looked like a turtle a CB too, I don't think he can cut it, but he was a free..

If it was a league game, we wouldn't be playing Pancrate or a couple others. We've played most of 'the big championship teams' away already so they've to come to our place.

I'm not too keen to stay in the cup away, would pick up even more injuries.

Well his agent was on French Radio the other night and said Sunderland were interested and never mentioned any other club, I suspect he would have in the same interview the other night if there was anyone else interested.

Da Silva hasn't looked like a turtle at all to be honest, you've probably watched him once or twice and a few highlightes on MoTD, and you can't possibly judge based on that, I can't imagine you watching 90 minutes of Sunderland games week in, week out. He's done as well as can be expected given the fact that he's missed a pre-season, and has had to adapt to a new language and culture. He's probably been our best defender aside from Mensah but he's never fit.

Vurnon San Benito · 23-01-2010 5:18pm

therokerroar wrote: »

Well his agent was on French Radio the other night and said Sunderland were interested and never mentioned any other club, I suspect he would have in the same interview the other night if there was anyone else interested.

Da Silva hasn't looked like a turtle at all to be honest, you've probably watched him once or twice and a few highlightes on MoTD, and you can't possibly judge based on that, I can't imagine you watching 90 minutes of Sunderland games week in, week out. He's done as well as can be expected given the fact that he's missed a pre-season, and has had to adapt to a new language and culture. He's probably been our best defender aside from Mensah but he's never fit.

Ironically, my brother is a Sunderland fan, and for the last 15 years, through the upd, and the many downs . The days of Kevin Phillips, Tore Andre Flo, Varga and all the boys.
I see quite a lot of their matches.

da Silva is a good headerer of the ball, I'll give him that but I think he needs serious tuning up to cut it.
McCartney needs offloading. Was a poor buy if you ask me.

therokerroar · 23-01-2010 5:22pm

Doocey wrote: »

Ironically, my brother is a Sunderland fan, and for the last 15 years, through the upd, and the many downs . The days of Kevin Phillips, Tore Andre Flo, Varga and all the boys.
I see quite a lot of their matches.

da Silva is a good headerer of the ball, I'll give him that but I think he needs serious tuning up to cut it.
McCartney needs offloading. Was a poor buy if you ask me.

Really? ****ing hell how do you two not kill each other :pac:

McCartney was a poor buy in hindsight, I'll give you that, but at the time there was quite a few clubs interested and most people felt he was a decent purchase. Keane wasn't to know that he would go on to get injured and struggle, given the fact he had missed hardly any games due to injury prior to rejoining Sunderland.

Vurnon San Benito · 23-01-2010 5:28pm

therokerroar wrote: »

Really? ****ing hell how do you two not kill each other :pac:

McCartney was a poor buy in hindsight, I'll give you that, but at the time there was quite a few clubs interested and most people felt he was a decent purchase. Keane wasn't to know that he would go on to get injured and struggle, given the fact he had missed hardly any games due to injury prior to rejoining Sunderland.

Haha, we're don't really tear into each other in fairness. Many a Tynewear derby we've watched together.

He's very happy with Bent & Bruce though.
He didn't want Kilgallon either, and he's says most Land fans didn't either..

therokerroar · 30-01-2010 4:13pm

Benjani is in Sunderland for a medical today.

therokerroar · 31-01-2010 1:30pm

Benjani deal may now be off due to medical reasons.

Vurnon San Benito · 31-01-2010 3:32pm

Rodrigo Fanni on his way?

M5 · 31-01-2010 3:34pm

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/01/31/manual_132839.html

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane is shaping up to be the biggest name on the move during Monday's transfer deadline day.

Keane has fallen out of favour at White Hart Lane with Harry Redknapp viewing Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch as his preferred strike partnership.

Sunderland are the latest club to be linked with a swoop for the Republic of Ireland captain, who is valued at around £9million.

Celtic had a bid turned down earlier this month while West Ham, who were trumped by Spurs in their attempt to sign Eidur Gudjohnsen, have also expressed an interest.

However, the Hammers' shortage of striking options is set to addressed by the imminent arrival of Benni McCarthy in a £2.5million move from Blackburn.

therokerroar · 31-01-2010 4:07pm

According to George Caulkin (North-East Reporter) there's no chance of Keane coming to SAFC.

The most reliable source on the RTG Forum has said Alan Hutton is now in talks with us.

M5 · 31-01-2010 4:08pm

therokerroar wrote: »

According to George Caulkin (North-East Reporter) there's no chance of Keane coming to SAFC.

The most reliable source on the RTG Forum has said Alan Hutton is now in talks with us.

would have thought that alright but u never know...

That_Guy · 31-01-2010 4:12pm

Bent and Keane could make for a dream partnership for your lot if it were to happen.

Is Jones on the way out?

therokerroar · 31-01-2010 4:26pm

That_Guy wrote: »

Is Jones on the way out?

It's hard to know to be honest mate.

The source I have mentioned in my post about Hutton claimed three weeks ago that we were trying to sign a player who in the short term would replace Jones until we could get a long term replacement in the Summer and that most Sunderland fans wouldn't be happy with the short term signing, he wouldn't say who the player was but did say that he had played in the Carling Cup Semi-Final. It turns out that we since made an offer for Benjani who has gone on to have difficulty with his medical. I have no reason to doubt this source as he has been spot on with absolutely everything regarding transfers that he has posted in the past so I have no reason to doubt that if we did get the Benjani deal done that Jones would have left. As things stand now though, it seems as if he'll be staying until at least the Summer.

To answer your question in short, unfortunately I think that it's inevitable that Jones is on the way out. But when will it happen? I don't think even Bruce nor the hierarchy at SAFC know the answer.

Vurnon San Benito · 31-01-2010 4:29pm

I won't be at all surprused is Hutton arrives at the SOL.
Bruce is a big fan of him.
With the failure to sign Figueroa I think there's news that ye'll be venturing in for another signing.

Jones won't leave I don't think.
Bejani move definitely off?

therokerroar · 31-01-2010 4:38pm

Doocey wrote: »

Bejani move definitely off?

He's definitely failed his medical anyway.

I'd imagine that it's definitely off considering we won't be able to get a significant amount taken off the fee as we only offered £500,000 in the first place.

Unfortunate as he'd have been a better option than Campbell as third choice if Jones had of stayed.

Vurnon San Benito · 31-01-2010 8:47pm

According to reports Beye will be a Sunderland player before the deadline.
My brother isn't keen on him but says he'll do until ye find a proper young ravaging full-back.
If Beye goes, ye'll have done well

therokerroar · 31-01-2010 9:17pm

Doocey wrote: »

According to reports Beye will be a Sunderland player before the deadline.
My brother isn't keen on him but says he'll do until ye find a proper young ravaging full-back.
If Beye goes, ye'll have done well

As far as I know, we're lining up deals for both Beye and Hutton in case one of them doesn't go through. We won't sign two of them though as we have Bardsley as cover with one of those two mentioned becoming first choice right back.

To be honest I think Bruce prefers Hutton, he's younger and Bruce has been keen on him for a while. Spurs only seem willing to do a loan deal for him though, whereas it's certainly possible to get Beye on a permanent deal.

Either way, we'll only be signing one of them so it will be interesting to see how it pans out, at this moment in time though, I'd reckon it'll be Hutton.

On a side note, does your brother post on here? It would be good to get another Sunderland fan on board and posting on this Sunderland thread.

therokerroar · 31-01-2010 11:13pm

Al-Muhammadi, 'The Egyptian Ronaldo/Beckham' as he is know in his homeland has signed for Sunderland for £2m.

We had him on trial in the Summer and he apparently played very well in the African Cup of Nations.

He can ply at RB/RW and is expected to play RW with Hutton at RB.

Very good signing IMO, I'm happy with that.

Vurnon San Benito · 02-02-2010 5:18pm

therokerroar wrote: »

Al-Muhammadi, 'The Egyptian Ronaldo/Beckham' as he is know in his homeland has signed for Sunderland for £2m.

We had him on trial in the Summer and he apparently played very well in the African Cup of Nations.

He can ply at RB/RW and is expected to play RW with Hutton at RB.

Very good signing IMO, I'm happy with that.

That didn't happen did it?

therokerroar · 02-02-2010 5:39pm

Doocey wrote: »

That didn't happen did it?

Unfortunately not.

It was just another case of SSN announcing that deals are completed before they actually are 100% sure.

Vurnon San Benito · 02-02-2010 6:20pm

therokerroar wrote: »

Unfortunately not.

It was just another case of SSN announcing that deals are completed before they actually are 100% sure.

They've a habit of that of late.

Ye'll get him in the summer though.
Is Benjani still lurching under the covers?

therokerroar · 02-02-2010 8:23pm

Doocey wrote: »

They've a habit of that of late.

Ye'll get him in the summer though.
Is Benjani still lurching under the covers?

They have and it's getting very, very frustrating. They used to be the most credible source around but now they're nothing more than glamourised Daily Rags.

Yeah I think we'll definitely get him in the Summer, along with Figuroea who only signed a new contract in January to get a release clause of £8m inserted.

Benjani deal has been completed now mate, all done and dusted. A decent back up for our front two and perhaps now that Kenwyne will have some real competition for his place he might up his game, although to be fair, he was excellent last night.

ctrl-alt-delete · 07-02-2010 1:13pm

Was at the match yesterday, Another terrible display to add to the pile.

The first half was relegation material football from Sunderland, they couldn't pass the ball, crosses were poor and went nowhere, Corners rarely beat the 1st man. It was just all round confusion and a severe lack of Confidence.

Things picked up in the 2nd half but it was still not good enough, even given the fact that Bent was onside that time i don't think Sunderland done enough to deserve a win.

I havn't heard any news on Henderson's injury, but they could do without him being out. Hutton looked good on the attack, and Jones had a decent shift. Obviously he got the goal, and his mazy run deserved to go in, but other than that he fall's down anytime anyone touches him and lost more than he won in the air.

Got talking to Quinn in Newcastle airport this morning. He was fairly upset with the first half display, as anyone involved should be. He said he reckons they done enough to win it but things didn't go their way. He confirmed to me that Liverpool tried to get Jones for nothing (now i didn't dig into that, so not sure if nothing meant 0 or a paltry amount. Also he mentioned the fact Daryl Murphy scored inside a minute for Ipswich, he reckons that the Championship is his level and that he will get a good return there.

ctrl-alt-delete · 08-07-2010 6:37pm

Cana has moved to Galatasaray

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/8802185.stm

He was a good player early on for Sunderland, he got the armband and was the type of player who deserved it. For me though he was picking up too many bans and having him and cattermole in the centre together was a liability as much as when it worked it worked very well.

Once they replace him it will be a good move for Sunderland, Reid or Richardson could even move full time into the centre. Will see what Bruce does in the market first anyways.

HyperSkypeWiper · 05-08-2010 9:44pm

Just wonderin what the situation is with Tainio, is he out of contract? Theres been talk of him training with Leeds, can anyone back this up?
He'd be a massive signing for us

therokerroar · 11-08-2010 12:17am

Mensah on loan for another season is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

Onouha signed on a season-long loan today.

Kenwyne's expected to join Stoke for £9m.

Welbeck expected to join on loan.

ctrl-alt-delete wrote: »

Once they replace him it will be a good move for Sunderland, Reid or Richardson could even move full time into the centre. Will see what Bruce does in the market first anyways.

Richardson has signed a new contract under the agreement that he'll be our first choice LB.

Reid won't have much of an impact this season IMO, however, he definitely won't be played as a CM at all. Cattermole and Riveros will be our first choice CM pairing.

ctrl-alt-delete · 11-08-2010 10:43am

therokerroar wrote: »

Mensah on loan for another season is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

Onouha signed on a season-long loan today.

Kenwyne's expected to join Stoke for £9m.

Welbeck expected to join on loan.

Richardson has signed a new contract under the agreement that he'll be our first choice LB.

Reid won't have much of an impact this season IMO, however, he definitely won't be played as a CM at all. Cattermole and Riveros will be our first choice CM pairing.

I agree that will be the first choice centre midfield pairing,

but Cattermole is not going to be available for them all, am hoping he can get a look in for an England squad at some stage, he is exactly the type of player they need.

therokerroar · 11-08-2010 5:12pm

ctrl-alt-delete wrote: »

I agree that will be the first choice centre midfield pairing,

but Cattermole is not going to be available for them all, am hoping he can get a look in for an England squad at some stage, he is exactly the type of player they need.

I hope so, but I think Cattermole needs to have at least 6 months of injury free top performances to get a sniff of a look in with England.

I think Jordan Henderson will get a look in with the Senior side before Cattermole does, to be honest.

therokerroar · 14-08-2010 1:27am

My predicted line-up for tomorrow:

Mignolet

Onouha Mensah Bramble Richardson

Al-Muhammadi Cattermole Henderson Steed

Bent Campbell

Ha'waaaaaaaaaay!

ctrl-alt-delete · 14-08-2010 5:44pm

Bang on with the team,

Pity about the result, it is definitely 2 points lost and i think the blame has to be with Cattermole,

Bruce really needs to sit down and talk to the lad, he is a great talent, has the attitude but he undoes it all with his lack of discipline. He needs to calm down and know when enough is enough.

King John V · 14-08-2010 6:39pm

ctrl-alt-delete wrote: »

Bang on with the team,

Pity about the result, it is definitely 2 points lost and i think the blame has to be with Cattermole,

Bruce really needs to sit down and talk to the lad, he is a great talent, has the attitude but he undoes it all with his lack of discipline. He needs to calm down and know when enough is enough.

I agree about Cattermole. The fouls and yellows were sloppy but fully deserved. He'll need to work on that area of his game.

I thought Sunderland controlled the game well for 80 minutes. There was energy, good passing and workrate. Birmingham rarely threatened. I thought Sunderland could have struggled in this area with so many new signings. Thankfully that wasn't the case.

Mensah was a rock in the centre of defence. Mensah and Bramble could be a solid pairing.

Zigic was a constant threat. His towering presence caused havoc in the Sunderland box. That's when the eleventh man would have made a massive difference. Birmingham deserved a draw in the end, but it could have been so much more if Cattermole kept his composure and didn't get sent off.

Overall the signs are encouraging.

T-b0n3 · 14-08-2010 7:02pm

How did the new man play, Al-Muhammadi?? Any good. I assume he played on the wing. I didn't see the game myself and just curios. Thanks

therokerroar · 14-08-2010 7:50pm

T-b0n3 wrote: »

How did the new man play, Al-Muhammadi?? Any good. I assume he played on the wing. I didn't see the game myself and just curios. Thanks

Yes, he played on the right-wing. He was very good, IMO.

It was his first Premier League game, and he was constantly looking to beat his man (which he did a number of times) and whip in a cross. He's full of pace and energy and has a terrific leap on him which helped him win a number of Mignolet's kick-outs.

All I can criticse him for is that sometimes instead of looking up and picking out a simple pass to a team mate a couple of yards away, he just hoofed the ball forward with his back to goal.

The signs are very, very encouraging from Ahmed, and I feel he'll be a terrific asset.

ctrl-alt-delete · 15-08-2010 12:13pm

Have to say i was a bit annoyed with Steve Bruce and his comments about the ref after yesterdays game.

He was saying how the ref has only been in the game 4 years, and that if refs are going to be fast tracked they really need to be exceptional.

I'm presuming by saying this he felt Cattermole was unlucky to be sent off, but not from what i saw on Motd, the first was a yellow card, especially seems as though he kicked the ball away, and as for the 2nd yellow, some more experienced refs might have even gave a red.

I know Bruce is not going to come out and criticise Cattermole, i wouldn't agree with that, but i do hope he has done so in the dressing room, in front of the other players. Sunderland set a record for sending off's in a Premier League season last year with 9, they need to sort out the discipline - it is costing them points. Yesterday was 2 points dropped.

therokerroar · 18-08-2010 12:37am

I've been told by a very, very reliable source on RTG that the N'Zogbia signing is only a matter of days away.

According to him, all we need to do is agree a fee as N'Zogbia doesn't want to go to Birmingham or Stoke (who have also enquired) and wants to come to Sunderland to link up with Bruce and his former team-mates Cattermole and Bramble. He said his only slight worry would be Marseille who have expressed an interest, but he reckons N'Zogbia is now settled in England so they should't pose a problem.

Another source, who's work-mate is actually the brother of the Wigan assitant manager has said this about the N'Zogbia deal:

Right just spoke to the lad at work and he's spoke to his brother last night about the N'Zogbia. The main points are:

1) N'Zogbia has been trying to engineer a move to Sunderland. Despite interest from other clubs, he wants to come here.

2) Cattermole and Bramble have apparently unsettled him by sending him texts such as "Wish you were here" and just general taunting.

3) Wigan seem pretty adamant they won't sell for any less than £10 million, but we all know what happened with Cattermole.

4) The lad expects the deal to go through with SAFC.

5) John Benson has been onvolved with all these deals at some level and this, as explained in previous posts, is the main reason he left/was pushed out of Wigan.

Just passing on the latest.

He'd be an absolutely fantastic signing, IMO. He's just the type of player we need.

King John V · 18-08-2010 1:36am

I think N'Zogbia would be a class signing. I'm sure Wigan will love Sunderland by the end of this transfer window

Apart from fairly weak rumours mentioning Crouch and Bellamy, I wonder does Bruce have any plans to bring in an experienced replacement for Jones?

I have to admit, at first I was surprised to see him sold, as he offered something different to Bent and Campbell. On a good day he was being compared to Drogba; but sadly those days didn't come often enough. Bruce made no secret of his frustration with Jones' inconsistency and he also seems to be building a solid, hard working team not built around any one player. The lads on RTG said he was on £60,000 a week (a good wedge of money taken off the wage bill) so I can understand why the deal happened. Hopefully this is paving the way for one more quality signing (N'Zogbia or Ireland please

).

I'm looking forward to seeing Riveros in the team once he gets settled. I think he could become one of the premier league's transfer bargains of the season.

I always enjoy the buzz around the transfer window. You log onto RTG and there's pages of 'a mate of mine spotted <next level signing> at Newcastle airport/outside the SoL' and the ITKs who only come out of the woodwork when the papers mention a link. 2 more weeks of speculation.

therokerroar · 20-08-2010 6:24pm

Predicted team for tomorrow:

Mignolet

Onouha Bramble Da-Silva Richardson

Al-Muhammadi Henderson Riveros Malbranque

Bent Campbell

Score prediction: 1-1

therokerroar · 25-08-2010 11:55pm

Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland

11 years ago today :cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-_NOH2X05w

therokerroar · 27-08-2010 9:09pm

Gyan deal is basically done, according to the top ITK on RTG.

This lad is always right, so you can take this as being 100% correct:

Fee agreed etc for Gyan but being held up at the moment 100 % fact.

He'll be a fantastic addition :cool:

M5 · 27-08-2010 11:58pm

therokerroar wrote: »

I've been told by a very, very reliable source on RTG that the N'Zogbia signing is only a matter of days away.

According to him, all we need to do is agree a fee as N'Zogbia doesn't want to go to Birmingham or Stoke (who have also enquired) and wants to come to Sunderland to link up with Bruce and his former team-mates Cattermole and Bramble. He said his only slight worry would be Marseille who have expressed an interest, but he reckons N'Zogbia is now settled in England so they should't pose a problem.

Another source, who's work-mate is actually the brother of the Wigan assitant manager has said this about the N'Zogbia deal:

He'd be an absolutely fantastic signing, IMO. He's just the type of player we need.

Move to brum has collapsed, looks like you may be correct! Great player while he's happy to play for you. Supersulk othewise. Really looks like a world beater sometimes...

therokerroar · 28-08-2010 12:37am

M5 wrote: »

Move to brum has collapsed, looks like you may be correct! Great player while he's happy to play for you. Supersulk othewise. Really looks like a world beater sometimes...

Aye, Birmingham have released a statement saying ''the goalposts moved'', that reads to me like another club (hopefully us) have come in with a serious bid at the last minute and he has decided he wants to go elsewhere (again, hopefully us).

Aye, I know what you mean about the sulking, but he seems to have matured slightly since his move to Wigan. Got to hand it to Sir Bobby (RIP) he really did know a player when he saw one.

I'd love to sign him, as he's exactly the type of player we need. Him and Gyan and I'd be very happy with our transfer business.

Kiwi_knock · 28-08-2010 9:15am

Birmingham fan here, it looks like N'zogbia will be heading up north to join Bruce. I think everyone except McLeish and our board realised that N'zogbia wants to play for Sunderland. I always figured that unrealistic wage demands would prevent us signing him and I was proved right. While despite his talent I did not think he would be the best signing for us as he would just have been a high paid mercenary with no loyalty to the club. At least with Sunderland he will be loyal to Bruce and will be more inclined to play better. A good signing for you if it is completed, I say you will be able yo get him on a cut price deal on deadline day

King John V · 28-08-2010 3:19pm

therokerroar wrote: »

Aye, Birmingham have released a statement saying ''the goalposts moved'', that reads to me like another club (hopefully us) have come in with a serious bid at the last minute and he has decided he wants to go elsewhere (again, hopefully us).

Aye, I know what you mean about the sulking, but he seems to have matured slightly since his move to Wigan. Got to hand it to Sir Bobby (RIP) he really did know a player when he saw one.

I'd love to sign him, as he's exactly the type of player we need. Him and Gyan and I'd be very happy with our transfer business.

Good predictions Rokerroar. Just saw this on Vital Sunderland:

N'Zogbia In Talks?

Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling has just announced on the programme that Charles N'Zogbia is currently in talks with Sunderland AFC.

After recently turning down Birmingham for personal reasons it may be due to Sunderland launching a last minute attempt to sign him before the transfer window.

Early days but very positive news as Sunderland look to tie up both N'Zogbia and Gyan by 31st August.

Read more: http://www.sunderland.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=211161#ixzz0xuULwrRY

therokerroar · 29-08-2010 8:32pm

Fantastic result today.

I'm absolutely delighted

KittyeeTrix · 29-08-2010 8:55pm

Disappointed by the result today obviously but congrats where it's due:)

King John V · 30-08-2010 12:54am

therokerroar wrote: »

Fantastic result today.

I'm absolutely delighted

Great result alright. I only saw the Match of the Day highlights but Mignolet pulled off a few great saves (the reflexive one against Adebayor's shot in particular, and when one on one with Toure, although Toure could have done better).

Hopefully there'll be good news tomorrow or Tuesday about N'Zogbia.

therokerroar · 30-08-2010 6:11pm

Asamoah Gyan has just been spotted in Newcastle Airport.

Great news

ctrl-alt-delete · 30-08-2010 6:16pm

therokerroar wrote: »

Asamoah Gyan has just been spotted in Newcastle Airport.

Great news

He could have at least flown into Durham Tees

therokerroar · 31-08-2010 5:32pm

Gyan deal completed.

Fantastic signing

Mr Alan · 31-08-2010 5:37pm

therokerroar wrote: »

Gyan deal completed.

Fantastic signing

Have you seen him play other than at the world cup? Talk that its a new club record fee which would mean its a fairly large fee?

King John V · 31-08-2010 5:51pm

Mr Alan wrote: »

Have you seen him play other than at the world cup? Talk that its a new club record fee which would mean its a fairly large fee?

According to the official website the fee is in excess of £13m.

Sunderland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours

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