Leaderboard

I'd certainly rather play our own players than other clubs' players. I'd rather we gave the product of our academies the chance to play on the odd occasion than somebody else's. If we're after first choice strikers like Diedhiou, and Delap is just a prospect, sod him. If we want him because we think he can start games and improve our first 11 then fair enough, especially if we don't think Coburn can. But we shouldn't be hindering Coburn's career to bring Delap in. Warnock clearly fancies Coburn as one for the future so rather than put the brakes on him, maybe we should see how he does first?

What are you talking about we are constantly dipping our toe into Europe, we got Akpom from Greece and scouted Bolasie whilst at... errrr *checks sheet*... Sporting. Not to mention that we got Mendez-Laing from a far off country outside of Europe called 'Whales' 🤨

Not to be rude but could someone please explain to me the benefit of bringing in an untested 18 year old loanee, when we have our own young player to develop. I see no harm in Coburn keeping his space on the bench for another season before a loan deal similar to Wood, instead of developing another team's player.

Thanks but no thanks regarding Diedhiou, I'm not sure a cheaper Assombalonga who also doesn't score goals is exactly what we need.

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/highlights-u18s-romp-to-burnley-victory Another good win for the u18s today despite fielding a load of u16s just stepping up. They look set to take 4th place in the table, with only Liverpool and the 2 Manchester clubs ahead of them.

Hope we stick to that too! Been lumbered with very high earning players with little return for too long. But we never seem to learn! Speaking of wage structure and controlling it, since Brentford got promoted to the Championship in 13/14. Their wage bill from the first Championship season (14/15) to the end of the 18/19 season had risen by under £2m (5 years). * *Since then though they have increased the wage bill significantly.

Can I join the others, in saying you've done a great job in stepping in this year @Youngy228! Just hope everything is okay with @OldManGravz! If you can let us know if everything is ok, and if we can help out in anyway if you need it OMG! 😘

We'd find a way to absolutely ruin him again 🤣

I think some caution is justifiable, though. He's had a quality season, no doubt about that. But his good seasons are few and far between. He's had two relatively rubbish seasons with Sunderland before this one. A sign of improvement is great, a big one at that. But improvement at the level below us and an improvement that has seemingly been brought about by numerous factors, including the changes Sunderland have made to accommodate him. Will we do the same?

Should have got Rory in when Barragan was taking our thrown ins. Or in his case when he was f**king up taking our throw ins

imagine the difference this would make if it were put into the championship or even spread across all of the football league. Insanity.

The only way I can see Diedhiou working out if we play Watmore just behind/next to him. A bit like Paterson does for the Bristol strikers

Yeah I'm not massively keen on Diedhiou either. Probably suits being the focal point in a Warnock team better than Britt, Akpom or Fletcher. Looking at the tweet @Dan_Boro_Till_I_Dieput up, he's half decent in the air (top 3/4 for aerials won and aerials involved) and also top 10(ish) for headed goals per 90. But in terms of goalscoring, creation and general link play looks poor. So looking forward to seeing him sign a 3 year deal in the summer. 😂

His stats are almost exactly the same as Assombalonga's, I think he has a few more assists to his name but that's it. It would almost be a like for like signing. Plus I'm pretty sure he'll want a decent wage despite being out of contract.

We won’t go down the stats route when it comes to recruitment. Warnock said as much last year when he said about that player who was recommended to him that after watching him for 5 mins, he knew he was a bad player. We are going to go down the route based on Warnock’s judgement.. has he got a good eye for talent?

Yeah but Norwich had a recruitment team that actually knew what they were doing. Their chairmen / chairpersons? have been smart enough to keep out of the way, while Webber, Farke and Scott got on with their jobs. Remember who we have doing the recruiting. ☹️

Josh Windass has done well. 10 league goals for Sheff Wed is good going. However, he strikes me as a Duncan Watmore type player. Like a 2nd striker / wide forward. I dont think we need Windass when we have Watmore so its a no for me. Rather focus on getting 2 proper CFs.

Just need to be smarter. Buendia and pukki cost a mil or so for both. Put both of them in our current squad, plus Gibson on loan like Norwich did and I think we get promoted. With a decent coach who can get the best out of those players of course. This buying journeyman championship level players like morsy, fisher, diedhiou will keep us at that same level.

To be honest, I don't think we can afford players who we can be confident are good enough for a promotion push let alone a charge.

Hope we lose that race.

I think we maybe signing someone from abroad a winger as they been on alot of scouting missions abroad

we are, Ronnie Jepson has been abroad to wath a few games.

There is a chance that Chuba will move on but it’s by no means a certainty. I do think Glatzel will only get looked at if we don’t land Diedhiou. No idea on Wyke but Boro lad, out of contract, great season, Warnock likes a big CF = the papers speculate?

I’d personally say no but Warnock is known for liking 3/4 strikers in his squad. I think any target man improves us significantly, you saw the impact an inexperienced 18 year old had when he came on to improve us, so an experienced target man/goal scorer at this level will be very important.

Won’t happen because it’s boro, but Diedhiou, Delap and Wyke seem like pretty decent options. Add that with a potential mobile striker in Watmore/Akpom it gives us some decent options. If those deals happened it’d be No. 1 priority to get a winger in who could get past his man and cross a ball. I’d take bolasie back in a heartbeat if the deals right.

Fair enough, I see where you’re coming from. I just think personally Delap would be a better option for a promotion push. I’m sure NW will do what he believes best for us next year.

or another Nmecha/Roberts... would rather develop Coburn, Malley, Hackney

I think Glatzel is on the list as well although it might be either or with him and Diedhiou.

Good match! Disappointing on both sides to score 7 and not come away with a win! 😂😂

Now you can add Predictions League Centurion to your list of titles. 😉

Thats always the cautionary note that rings in my mind. We have signed a few players with big reputations, who have done well at their previous clubs...only for them to turn in underwhelming performances when they pull a Boro shirt on. Sunderland's team and playing style are clearly geared to providing goalscoring opportunities for Wyke and its evidently working well at the moment. The big question is: could Boro do the same?

Watching videos of Wyke he seems to score vast magority of his goals through heading crosses. He could be a great asset if Bolaise and some other wingers whips pinpoint crosses in

I watched videos of Toney back when we were linked with him and thought he looked an absolutely donkey in League 1, he’s turned out alright. I wouldn’t have huge hopes for Wyke but it’s worth the risk on a free, I’d still go for a more sure option to start over him to begin with

Hopefully it’s shared only amongst the ‘Big Six’ s they are obviously most deserving

Appreciate the kind words. This is my first year fully in the league and to be honest has kept me going through some tough times. Happy to have helped out. Will definitely be here next season

A grand job there Blanc's yet another feather in that hat of yours. 🙂 And Youngy like many have already posted, you also have done a great job taking over and resurrecting the prediction league. On a personal note you have my thanks mate, I hope you carry it on for many more seasons to come.

Round 44 results up - and anyone who is interested there's a thread to sign up to Euro's prediction league too.

Really happy for Josh coburn to score on his home debut. Put in a good performance in his short cameo too.

I would guess that he wouldn't be first choice as DOF for many on here but he would most definitely make better footballing decisions than the current incumbent/s who aren't DOF's.