He really would put the heat on Graham.

Leeds have been excellent, Bielsas tactics have been proactive, exciting and helping the likes of Saiz, Hernandez and Roofe to thrive. Rowett on the other hand has decided to go with 3 defensive midfielders and his side have offered absolutely nothing. Bojan is on the bench, so why he feels the need for such unnecessary caution is beyond me.

The amount of focus on Lampard by Sky was nauseating, could grow a bit tiresome to say the least if it continues. Lampard should have known that playing out from the back with the personnel at his disposal was never going to work, Keogh in particular gave the ball away in stupid areas a few times and only for a lack of quality in Readings attack, they would have been a few goals up. They have quality in attack that will win games on their own, a goalkeeping mistake and then a wonderful cross and header to win it got them a win im not convinced they deserved. Sheffield United one of a group of teams, Preston and Brentford other examples, of teams that are settled teams that havent cost the earth to put together that are ones we should look up to. I'd be surprised and impressed if we could finish above any of them. McKay was good but hes comes with an inconsistent and lazy reputation, hence him not getting in Forests side, for all his talent. McBurnie had a good loan spell but the attack doesnt scream promotion to me. Central midfield looks really poor too although rumours suggest they want Ryan Woods from Brentford who is an excellent midfielder at this level.

He also get sent off. Why would he come here as back up to Graham when he starts there?

A kid on loan from City is not what we need to help out Graham. Wouldn't sell Evans either, although if we can improve on him in the starting 11 I'd be happy to do so. As many questions on Smallwoods ability at this level as Evans, if not more so.

Watched 3 games so far, none of the 5 sides (aside from Rovers) have stood out and made me think they will be a force but I suppose its early days. Derby full of match winners, many of whom were really quiet, but I felt that Lampard was naive trying to get them to play out from the back, its all well and good having ideals on how you want to play but you have to adjust to suit your players, the likes of Davies and Keogh arent good enough to play out from the back. Reading will be near the bottom, Barrow was a big threat for them but not convinced they have enough goals in them. Poor manager too. Sheffield United are one of those teams who are settled and I think will be mid table but they werent very impressive. Swanseas team lacked quality, McKay was good but are him, Celina, Asoro and McBurnie really a promotion chasing attack? Not so sure. Montero is a good player though he should be starting games. Ipswich aside from Edwards who we should have signed were decidedly average. Will be bottom half. Seen the highlights of the other games, Brentford looked particularly impressive and Wigan looked right at home at this level. Looking forward to seeing Bielsa's Leeds with good signings such as Douglas and Bamford and their new system against favourites Stoke.

You are allowed to say that you are gutted, you said you werent before! I was pretty happy with the performance, I watched the game Not the amount that he needs, I never said we should get rid or drop him, but he needs to know that if he continues, patience can only go so far if he starts costing us points. Like anyone else.

Just hope we sign square pegs for square holes this week. Not players who "can play there." We need a striker in the Graham mould, someone who plays with his back to goal. Look at Grahams role in our second goal yesterday, proper strike play. Grahams only problem is age/fitness. Gallagher is NOT that type of striker, and I think links to him are lazy ones based on him being here in the past. He would not be fit for purpose. We also need a proper pacy winger. McGinn would be an interesting signing, but like others have said weve already signed a lot of midfielders. Evans gets a raw deal because our fans have a preset opinion of him, he was pretty good yesterday and excellent towards the end of last season, that said I wouldnt turn down an upgrade especially with Evans injury record. I'd loan Travis out. Another centre back, and a goalkeeper to push Raya who is still too error prone and erratic, also needed. Do need to reduce the size of the squad, Leutwiler, Caddis, Hart, Gladwin, Nuttall on loan, if we got Armstrong and a striker and winger then id sell Samuel too.

Chaddy its not a criticism of anyone to be gutted at a last minute equaliser against you. If you wasnt gutted then you clearly are absent of any emotion. Positives aside. I dont think the goal was necessarily his fault but he was error prone again. The kick in the first half and flapping in the second were big mistakes. Stockdale surplus to requirements at Birmingham but very good at this level and proven. Worth a signing?

Evans was better than Smallwood. Not the problem. Gallagher is not the answer. He cant hold the ball up as we saw at home to Preston.

Cant be throwing points away like that. Both full backs started shakily but Nyambe did really step up after that. Williams got the run around by Edwards. Felt like Evans was better than Smallwood. Dack shouldnt have been taken off. Needed his ball retention. Palmer had to score that chance, badly cost us in the end. Samuel not up to it, we all knew that. Another hold up player needed, again we all knew that. Very dissapointing, feels like a defeat.

I have seen and replied to Biz, who made some constructive points. Like it or lump it, I said even Kean got involved in terms of interaction, albeit to much deserved abuse, as seen at that infamous open training session. That sort of interaction has always been there. We've had various Q&A's with various people over the years, managers, new staff, people like Cheston and Senior I think (could be mistaken) but its always had a feeling of deckchairs on the titanic, during our slide anyway, because the problem always was and will be at the top; the owners. For all the authority and promises that are given to those below, at the moment Waggott and Mowbray, theres always a chance that Venkys will renege on these promises, and its somethign you seem to be struggling to get your head around. I never in any point of that post suggested that we have no money. I have said previously that I dont trust the owners who have history of whipping away the carpet out from under the managers feet. Until the money is spent, theres always a chance that Venkys will change their mind and withdraw funding. Mowbray may be under the impression that he has money, ive never said he is lying or he doesnt think that, and im sure he will, point being theres always a chance that the OWNERS will let us down, not anyone else. All that said, I never mentioned any of that so I've no idea why you keep randomly bringing it up. The thing is, you was the same in terms of Senior, constantly defending him, blowing smoke up his backside, then we went down, he slipped out the back door. Im asking for tangible reasons to praise solely Waggott and youve yet to convince me. That said, if Mowbray is happy with him then im fine with him too. Im not saying Waggott is doing a bad job or anything like that.

Maybe top 6, and apparently Ross did a really good job in Scotland, but just based on the playing staff, and baring in mind where the club is in terms of its vulnerability after 2 relegations and the pressure of playing there, just dont get it. They are favourites because they are Sunderland in League 1 I think. Fancy Barnsley for the title if I had to choose.

To clarify, im not of a negative opinion of Waggott, it was more of an attempt to open a more generalised debate, id concur that the things JAL said were presumably on a wind up, as is common, the kit comment being a case in point. Transfer deals being done under the radar, even last summer before Waggott arrived, the deals for the likes of Whittingham, Smallwood, Dack, Chapman etc were very much all under the radar until they happened even then, so I've no reason to suggest that its Waggott who is necessarily ensuring that. With contracts, again id credit Mowbray with that, he said right at the start that he wanted to reward the players that got us up. Personally, I think the ticket price and membership price increases are both things that Waggott directly oversees so are tangible things to judge him on, and things I think are a bit steep and conflicting with the aim of continuing the momentum and getting more fans back during this more successful time. That said, hes almost certainly been tasked with that by the owners. The Darwen End situation I felt was poor, that and the moving of kick off times, I feel that they are decisions he is responsible for whereby im not convinced his priority is appeasing the fans. For the Darwen End move, I think the old system worked, only moving us when an away team filled the Darwen End which is rare, however even if he disagreed, there was no communication, no plan or no alternative in that I know some Darwen End season ticket holders have made their own singing section in the Jack Walker, myself and a few others ive seen have moved to the Blackburn End, it just all seemed a bit disorganised, maybe a designated signing section. say promoting an intention to get the Blackburn End back to what it used to be like could have been better received, rather than just leaving the fans to figure it out themselves. Overall however, I can see that whatever is in place, its working for the time being, that is for sure, hope it doesnt seem like I dislike him or I want him out, things are moving in the right direction and things should remain the same, im just unsure what hes done personally to warrant praise. If Mowbrays happy, then so am I.

Was a figure of speech, and not aimed just at you, but in general, what tangible improvements can we definitely say, thats definitely Waggott? Im not saying hes doing a good job or bad job, my point is that the only tangible things that hes done have impacted on me personally (and other fans) in a negative way, presumably under owners orders. Youve yet to give me a specific, tangible thing that hes done to warrant the praise you and others have given him. I will say that price increases, moving fans from their favourite seats that dont affect you, and other general increases being approved by yourself doesnt really surprise me. Im sure he has got a good relationship with Mowbray, im not saying otherwise, but its similar to me say not praising Mark Venus, or the data analyst team, or the physios, I dont know what they have done personally, all of it is geared up to suit the manager and hes the one that we can judge based on facts and tangible things, ie results, signings etc. The fun day was very sparsely populated from what ive seen, but stuff like that was happening even under Kean, things like open training sessions and the likes, of course supporter relations are important but its hardly as a result of Waggotts work that this has been recently introduced. And lastly, again you are hurling the phrase "yes fans should trust him" about Mowbray down peoples throats, when no one has suggested that they dont, its getting a bit silly now chaddy.

Find Sunderlands favourites tag to be very peculiar. Not even taking into account the negative momentum thats behind them, they didnt have a spine like us, Wigan and even Rotherham had last year, we obviously still had Graham, Mulgrew, Lenihan, Evans, Bennett, Conway, Raya, Nyambe and Williams, and even then we signed quite a few. Yes, Sunderland have been busy reshaping their squad, but are their signings any good? Charlie Wyke Bradford City 675 Th. € Jack Baldwin Peterborough 225 Th. € Tom Flanagan Burton Albion Free Transfer Jon McLaughlin Heart of Midl. Free Transfer Alim Öztürk Boluspor Free Transfer Reece James Wigan Free Transfer Dylan McGeouch Hibernian FC Free Transfer Glenn Loovens Sheff Wed Free Transfer Chris Maguire Bury ? Jerome Sinclair Watford Loan Luke O'Nien Wycombe ? Hardly a revolution that screams title winners. Wyke can score goals at this level but Bradford dont seem overly concerned that hes left. Sinclair has never shown signs of scoring many goals. Maguire underwhelmed at Bury. Baldwin was unwanted at Peterborough, Loovens is very old. McGeough potentially a good addition to be fair. But in general, its nothing more than ordinary. Barnsley, Bradford, Charlton (albeit they themselves are weaker than last year), Burton, Scunthorpe and maybe as a dark horse if everything clicks, Fleetwood all look potentially better going into the season.

Don't quite understand the love in for Waggott. Feel like historys been re-written to imply hes almost a catalyst of our progression, he was appointed in December, when we were already flying and very much on the up (many games unbeaten if I recall), so I put everything down to Mowbray in that regard. I've got no particular problem or strong opinion of him, he might well be part of a system that is working at the moment, im not saying Waggott out or any nonsense like that as that would be obviously unjustified but I dont really see any reason for the amount of praise hes being given. That said, the only tangible things I can judge him on as overseeing, season ticket price hike, moving me and others from the Darwen End, increasing 1875 membership price, are all negative but presumably hes on a mission by Venkys to try and get more money from the fans. I'd like to think that those points wouldnt be described as "basic nonsense." Mowbray on the other hand, has done plenty to earn my trust, and not because he is "open and honest with fans." Because hes done a very good job as manager. If Mowbray is happy working with Waggott, then fine by me but think the praise (and criticism at times) is overboard.

Its not a matter of being realistic, dont like that as an argument really because it doesnt really mean anything. Its not a matter of being realistic in terms of signing players that play in the roles that you need. It would be like us signing a full back who can play at centre back, to give us cover at centre back, that wouldnt be wise either. Hes being linked with 7m moves so any signing would probably be on loan, and even on loan last year Birmingham had to pay quite a large amount if I recall just to loan him, so I dont understand how its a point in terms of Gallagher being an example of an obviously realistic potential signing. My main point was on the type of player we need, and how I dont think he is. I dont feel at all that Gallagher is a target man type of striker, therefore hes not fit for purpose in the type of player we need. I respect your opinion in regards to Gallaghers style of play but you mention that he should be able to hold up play. He is tall but quite lean and weak, he was easily bullied. He did score a few headers but they were based on good movement, when he was battling with a defender he seemed so easy to beat in the air. He was better facing goal because he was deceptively quick. Do we need that type of striker, poor in the air but quick when we have Armstrong and Samuel? Not for me. I appreciate that he knows the club and the players but for me thats not enough. Fans seem to have a natural instinct to suggest old players, but he wouldnt fill the void we need to fill. Im not expecting us to bring in anyone to transform our team, nor do I have a list of alternative target men as I am not a scout before people throw that one at me. Just a player with the skillset to play, often with his back to goal, and to link play like Graham.

Its nothing to do with trusting Mowbray!!! I do trust Mowbray. My point is that, first of all, I havent said there is no money to spend, I dont know for sure, my point is, until players have been bought and are lifting a blue and white scarf and a shirt, im always dubious. Mowbray im sure has been told he has money. But until its spent, theres always a chance that the owners will change their mind. (I dont have any trust in Waggott particularly, Mowbray has done something to earn my trust, he hasnt, but again, irrelevant) Neither of us know for sure if we have money and how much, youve clearly a lot more faith in the owners fulfilling what they promise than I do. All I was trying to do is get you to stop spreading the myth that no one has any trust in Mowbray. If you arent going to listen to me then there is no point in continuing this conversation.

Think the key is, as people have suggested, is to bring in a striker capable of playing with his back to play. We have some exciting players, Dack, Palmer, Armstrong, they all are players who run on to play, theyve all got goals in them, they all can get in behind, to do that, the striker needs to vacate the space and link it up, Graham is the master of that. Think we will struggle to get someone as effective, as intelligent and as good at what he does as Danny Graham. We need someone to ease the burden on him, as his fitness, with age, will not allow him to play 90 minutes of 46 games. Obviously its a shame, as not only does he have all of the skillset that I have listed above, he also had an almost telepathic link with Dack. See the 3rd goal v Peterborough, the 3rd v Wimbledon, the goal v Fleetwood etc. Same with Armstrong, both goals v MK Dons are perfect examples. Sam Gallagher is not that man. I feel like hes a lazy suggestion based on the fact that hes been here before. He is incapable of playing with his back to goal, and Mowbray seemed to realise that, hence him playing wide of Graham when he was here before, running on to play. Hes decent at a few things, hes quite quick, he can head the ball if he gets a run on his man and isnt challenged for it, but hes never a target man in a million years.

You have, and the involvement of Waggott in the process is not only irrelevant but im not particularly interested. When exactly the owners get involved, again, not bothered. Do I trust them to spend any money? Not at all. why would they(owners) reduced the budget now. - and the award for the most naive comment ever goes to! Have you been in a cave during the last 8 years? My point is, you keep saying that we need to trust Mowbray to get the right players for the right prices. No one has suggested otherwise. You say Mowbray has said he has money, he might think he has but Venkys have history of whipping the carpet out from under a managers feet. Even if you have trust in Venkys not reducing the budget all of a sudden, after everything thats happened, surely you appreciate why others are skeptical, are dubious of what the owners will do next Please stop confusing this with not trusting Mowbray.

Ignoring your naivety in terms of implying that you know how Rovers transfers work behind the scenes now, in terms of Venkys involvement. Venkys have plenty of history at pulling the plug at any moment. Your point makes absolutely no sense. You seem to have totally missed the point. Regardless of how the internal system works in terms of transfers, the important bit is the amount that Mowbray has to play with. He has no impact in that. The money isnt coming from Mowbray or Waggotts pocket. If Venkys decided to give Mowbray no money, then it wouldnt be Mowbrays fault just because he had the money last, it would be Venkys fault. Whether its Venkys or Mowbray having the final say is irrelevant. People dont trust VENKYS. People do trust Mowbray. Please get your head around that. And it was, the smugness was needless. No one is implying that they dont trust Mowbray so please stop saying it. And everyone is happier if we spend more money.

Hate posts like this, they add absolutely nothing at all. About all this "moaning" about Armstrong, people have flagged up his poor record in the Championship and its a valid point. I personally am very happy to see Armstrong potentially join, ive wanted him all summer, he adds pace we dont really have, we know he can score goals in tandem with our current attack, hes exciting to watch and hes young. But I can respect that point as it is a very fair one. You dont have to have an extensive list of potential alternatives should you not agree with a signing. Nor is anyone putting themselves forward for a scouting role. "What do some of you expect? £10 million striker signings?" - this sort of rubbish just makes you seem petulant in the point you are trying to make. Sadly this kind of crap is lapped up all too easily by many. I am pro-Armstrong as I've said but im sick of posts like this, people cannot have any opinions bar positive ones about potential signings, and its not conducive to healthy debate when anyone who raises any concerns about signings have the line "trust Mowbray" stuffed down their throats. Dont understand the debate in regards to how to fit in Graham and Armstrong together either. Last season, Armstrong on the wing worked perfectly, the pair plus Dack worked brilliantly in that Grahams hold up and play with his back to goal left space for Armstrong to exploit from deep. Why change a winning formula?

Thats a really poor post chaddy. No need for it at all. He probably doubted us buying anyone because of our negligent owners. Surely you understand that. You keep telling people to trust the manager, but its a myth youve created, who said they dont trust him? The trust issues are solely with the owners. Anyway, really happy to see Armstrong back permanently if the reports are correct. What happened to Zach Clough

Isnt it under embargo, so frees under 10k?