Fan Letters: "The January transfer window is open — we must spend wisely, but bring in quality"
Yesterday at 01:00 AM
The Transfer Window is open, so debate is stirring around what Sunderland need to do to come out of the other end of it with a better squad. What do you think we need? Email us: RokerReport@Yahoo.co.uk
Dear Roker Report,
2025: 6 points out of 6 — 4th position, closer to automatic promotion than dropping out of playoff picture. In August, Sunderland fans would have snapped their hands off for this.
Sunderland now must push forward to try and get into the top two spots.
The January transfer window is open we must spend wisely, but bring in quality.
We need to push 10 yards further up the pitch — Dan Neil is solid and leading the troops well, but he needs to push forward more.
We need to drive forward and like the Portsmouth game if we get early goal please don't sit back — sometimes hanging on drive forward press harder and score again.
Constructive criticism is good; I'm sure players realise importance of keeping the lead, but sitting back playing square passes around our box needs to happen less than we see.
Haway the lads.
Mark
Ed's Note [Gav]: I agree that we'd have all taken where we are at this point back in August, because I think if we were honest we'd admit that where we are now is way above anyone's expectations for this season. We were terrible last season, particularly in the second half of the campaign, and there hasn't been a major overhaul of the squad so these are largely the same players that we had then. The difference has been the change in head coach, and he's done a superb job to date.
It goes without saying that we have to push on for the top two, but it's tough. We're competing with three clubs that have better squad depth than we've got and a lot more money to be able to strengthen in the window, so let's see. We're keeping pace which is amazing really and I think we're better than Sheffield United, so let's see.
I wouldn't expect a flurry of incomings this month if I'm honest. I reckon we'll sign another forward to facilitate the departures of Rusyn and Connolly, and maybe another central midfielder as we've done well coping without Salis and Browne so far this season, but that's about it. I'd like another right back and we should always look to add quality where we can, but I just don't see that we need a great deal. What we need is for the players that we've already got to get fit so that the squad looks in better shape.
Dear Roker Report,
Although he is a brilliant stopper, Anthony Patterson's distribution and kicking of the ball is absolute rubbish. When he collects the ball instead of looking for a player to throw it to he just stands there and the opportunity of a quick attack has gone.
His kicking has not improved over the last three seasons. What are his coaches doing?
Alan Harrison
Ed's Note [Gav]: His kicking is clearly the biggest weakness in his game, but I think that may just be par for the course when it comes to Championship standard goalkeepers. If you had someone who was genuinely good at everything I doubt they'd be playing at this level. I get why it's frustrating though cos I share the same frustrations when watching him - sometimes he's absolutely fine, but most of the time it's heart in your mouth stuff with Patto. I think the flaws he has in his game are difficult to iron out and you've either got it or you haven't.
One thing I will give him credit for is that he is completely unflappable. Whilst the rest of us have a deep intake of breath whenever he's about to kick the ball with an attacker bearing down on him, he never seems to flinch. Nowt bothers the lad.
Dear Roker Report,
Firstly, I realise that the problem with young players is getting consistency, and I admire the loyalty shown. But I felt that when Portsmouth went down to ten men, it was a moment to introduce Connolly, a proven finisher, and needing an opportunity to prove himself. Mayenda is not yet a finisher, and not taking our chances puts pressure on our defence in the last minutes of games, and we seem to crumble at the back in these situations.
Adrian Donnelly
Ed's Note [Gav]: I disagree with introducing Connolly to help see out the game because he's totally unsuited to the system we're playing at the minute. We need our front two to work hard off the ball and press, but from what I've seen of Connolly since he's been here he's far more comfortable with his back to goal. Régis' comments on Connolly after the game were telling — it looks like we're going to let him leave if we can bring in a replacement, and that makes sense, as I just don't see where he fits in.
Dear Roker Report,
We'll agree to differ about the need for another more consistent striker. If in your opinion we don't need another one, why are we paying Rusyn and Connolly for not playing? You mention other clubs, Burnley... If we'd had a player to take advantage of our dominance in at least half a dozen games, we would be top of the league.
No thoughts or opinions about the "size" of the crowds?
Alan Jackson
Ed's Note [Gav]: I think you've misinterpreted the point that I was making. I was countering your point where you said "I worry that unless we find a goalscorer from somewhere, we'll end up in the playoffs at best" — you never mentioned Rusyn or Connolly in your original email. Both players will probably leave in this window and I'd imagine we'll sign another striker as backup to Isidor and Mayenda, which is absolutely fine. I doubt we're about to go and sign someone to play ahead of Wilson in particular, because he's been excellent for us in leading the press and scoring important goals. He's got the perfect profile and character for this team and the way that Le Bris wants to play, so he's absolutely integral to what happens between now and the end of the season.
So yes, I think we need to sign a striker, but only to add competition and help replace those going out. We aren't really in a position to go and sign someone who is better than what we've got right now as we've seen how tough that can be to do, particularly in January, so it'll probably be another foreign youngster or a Premier League loan — and that's fine. I will add that we paid decent money to sign Abdullahi in the summer and he's due back very soon, at which point we'll have another striker to call upon. Trey Ogunsuyi has been making the bench recently also and has scored a lot of goals for the U21s and U18s this season, so he'll probably be knocking at the door and waiting for a chance soon enough. If he starts against Stoke in the cup next week as I suspect he will and then takes his chance, no doubt there will be calls for him to get more first team opportunities!
Regarding crowds, I have no real opinion on it to be honest. They announced the crowd on Sunday at around 39,000 and looking around the ground from my seat I'd say that was about right. Pompey brought a really good away crowd with them (I'd say about 1.5k) and then the Premier Concourse looked full. The main bowl holds 38,000 and I reckon there were probably about 32,000 in attendance down there, but that's just a guess.
I would just note that corporate hospitality seating and boxes are also included as part of the attendance figures and, as an armchair fan, you won't ever see those people from the lense of a camera.
