The Rebuild

[The Doc]

I came to confirm we have the worst central midfield options in the league.

[sam of the south]

For sure it’s a really poor cm.

Gana is great, but even he can be positionally erratic.

Garner is a bit of a nothing player, really, Iroegbunam has tools but is out of his depth, and Armstrong could be good, but he’s just a fledgling.

Two really good cm’s needed, especially when Gana goes off to the afcon.

[kramer]

I know a deal we could probably hijack right now that would make us all feel a lot better about it.

Feels like we’re missing the next Wharton for absolutely no reason.

[TheRam]

I know a deal we could probably hijack right now that would make us all feel a lot better about it.

Feels like we’re missing the next Wharton for absolutely no reason.

It’s been reported over here that no agreement has been made with Ipswich and premier league clubs are still interested so hopefully we’re one of them.

[kramer]

It’s been reported over here that no agreement has been made with Ipswich and premier league clubs are still interested so hopefully we’re one of them.

Please.

For about £20m and an improvement on midtable Championship wages, it’s a no-brainer.

[AjaxAndy]

I know a deal we could probably hijack right now that would make us all feel a lot better about it.

Feels like we’re missing the next Wharton for absolutely no reason.

If he ends up at Ipswich I think that probably tells us that he wasn't all that good after all.

Doesn't seem a massive clamour for his signature and given we need someone actually really good in CM it may be he's not really that guy.

[Trowel]

From what I read Ipswich have an agreement on payment terms with Boro (£20m with £15m up front), but not yet with Hackney.

[bigmanbob]

What do you mean like who?

I’m talking about their midfield and whole and it’s better than ours by a distance.

Who in Sunderlands midfield is better than ours, not sure what's hard to understand about that?

[TheRam]

Who in Sunderlands midfield is better than ours, not sure what's hard to understand about that?

As I said. Their midfield as a whole is a lot better than ours as it stands.

Xhaka, Le fee, diarra probably all get into our side easily.

We have absolutely no depth to our midfield and are heavily reliant on a 36 year old.

[kramer]

If he ends up at Ipswich I think that probably tells us that he wasn't all that good after all.

Doesn't seem a massive clamour for his signature and given we need someone actually really good in CM it may be he's not really that guy.

His performances either way will tell us that.

Plenty of instances of players not getting as big of a move as they should and making all the teams that didn’t take them seriously look stupid.

His underlying numbers are excellent. Downside, he’s not that good and retains about 75% of his value. Upside, he’s legit and it doubles or triples.

I think it’s a no-brainer.

[bigmanbob]

As I said. Their midfield as a whole is a lot better than ours as it stands.

Xhaka, Le fee, diarra probably all get into our side easily.

We have absolutely no depth to our midfield and are heavily reliant on a 36 year old.

I can't argue that theyre not better than ours, cos other than Xhaka Ive no idea who they are.

[StirlingBlue]

Am I forgetting some amazing CM who left the club this summer that Moyes used week in week out?

All I can think of is Doucouré but he basically never played CM under Moyes.

Yes we should sign a CM and almost certainly will but we’re not as bad as people are making out.

Also, Xhaka would walk into our midfield but he cost Sunderland twenty mil and they’re paying him a hundred and fifty thousand a week for three years at age thirty two - we’d be crucifying the club had we done that

[bigmanbob]

Finally some sense amongst the madness

[Evertonian in NC]

If Sunderland finish above us, I'll eat my hat

[Cods]

If Sunderland finish above us, I'll eat my hat

Those safari hats are quite rigid, I'd be pressure cooking that bad boy first.