Fan Letters: Transfer Frustrations, Biding Our Time, And More Membership Questions

Like many others, it would seem, I’m becoming somewhat frustrated by the slow transfer window Sunderland appear to be having this summer.

However, I have to admit that’s primarily because I love transfer news. Other than matchdays themselves, it’s probably the most exciting part of football and, over the summer, when we’re starved of meaningful action, it’s what most supporters crave to build anticipation ahead of the new season.

If I take a step back, though, I think it’s important for myself and others to remember the context of this window.

Last summer was the exception rather than the norm. The squad needed an almost complete rebuild, so time was of the essence to get players through the door and give them time to gel.

In previous seasons under this ownership, we’ve done the bulk of our business towards the end of the window rather than at the start. Admittedly, even by those standards, one incoming by 23 July seems slow, but if you compare the deals we completed in those summers, the early arrivals were predominantly free transfers and loans. These are not the markets we’ll really be looking to exploit any more.

This ownership group has also always been open in its belief that better value for money is found towards the end of the window than at the beginning, so patience will be key as we wait for news of the squad being strengthened.

Furthermore, if we take a closer look at the squad itself, yes, it’s currently weaker than it was at the end of last season following the departures of players such as Mayenda and Cirkin, but how many players do we really need for the starting XI?

I would argue it’s probably only one – a high-quality right winger.

There’s an argument that we also need a high-quality left centre-back or left-back to rotate with Reinildo and Alderete, but what sort of fees would need to be spent to improve on the likes of Robin Roefs, Brian Brobbey, Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki? Not fees, I imagine, we’re able to spend currently.

We’re primarily looking to build squad depth. That’s a harder sell to potential signings, but it also means value for money is important. You don’t want to overpay for a player who sits on the bench for 75% of the season.

Additionally, we only have two games to play before the transfer window shuts and, from our current squad, we could easily field a starting XI capable of taking six points from those matches.

Obviously, this picture will change if there are any more departures but, right now, patience and calm heads are paramount.

Editor’s note [Martin]: Thanks for the email John. In previous seasons I might have been a bit frustrated, but not this summer – the World Cup has naturally slowed things down, and we really need quality over quantity this summer. I’d much rather we wait and get the *right* player in a month’s time, than an adequate player now. In terms of positions, I do think we need a first choice left back, a back up centre half, a first choice right winger and another striker – all of whom can compete for first team places, in addition to a few others to strengthen the squad. Overall though, the players we brought in last year have a year’s experience under their belts, we barely saw Diarra, and the likes of Rigg will be better prepared to make an impact. I reckon a lot will happen over the next 5 weeks…

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Editor’s note [Martin]: Thanks for the email John. In previous seasons I might have been a bit frustrated, but not this summer – the World Cup has naturally slowed things down, and we really need quality over quantity this summer. I’d much rather we wait and get the *right* player in a month’s time, than an adequate player now. In terms of positions, I do think we need a first choice left back, a back up centre half, a first choice right winger and another striker – all of whom can compete for first team places, in addition to a few others to strengthen the squad. Overall though, the players we brought in last year have a year’s experience under their belts, we barely saw Diarra, and the likes of Rigg will be better prepared to make an impact. I reckon a lot will happen over the next 5 weeks…

Well, that’s the first one in. He looks savvy enough for what we’ll need.

Now I’d like a fast, direct, young goalscorer who could get us 15 a season.

Hang on… haven’t we just sold one to France who fits the bill?

Anthony Lynn
(About to pay £20.00 to have a chance of an away ticket to dreamland!)

Editor’s note [Martin]: It’s a shame Mayenda’s moved on, I’d have preferred him to have a Championship loan this season, but money talks in this case. We need to replace him – it’ll be interesting to see what sort of ‘profile’ they go for.

Editor’s note [Martin]: It’s a shame Mayenda’s moved on, I’d have preferred him to have a Championship loan this season, but money talks in this case. We need to replace him – it’ll be interesting to see what sort of ‘profile’ they go for.

Has there been any statement on how the away ticket ballot system (Premier League and Europe) will work?

Is it sequential? For example, is the first ballot for Black Cats Points holders at 90%, then the remaining 10% (plus any additional tickets not taken up in the first ballot, however unlikely) allocated to Seasoncard+ members, followed by Seasoncard holders and then general sale?

Or is it one ballot with two simultaneous streams?

The reason for asking is that it may be pertinent for a Seasoncard holder with a lot of Black Cats Points who has also purchased the new Seasoncard+ membership. Would I effectively get two bites at the cherry?

Editor’s note [Martin]: Thanks for the email, Paul – the membership scheme has raised probably more questions than it’s answered, hasn’t it? As far as I can make out, there’ll be one ballot for away tickets – open to season card and season card +, 90% of which will be allocated on points and 10% on having a + membership, so don’t think you’d get two bites of the cherry, but who knows? The club have got a lot of things right over the past few years, but this seems rushed and poorly thought through.

Editor’s note [Martin]: Thanks for the email, Paul – the membership scheme has raised probably more questions than it’s answered, hasn’t it? As far as I can make out, there’ll be one ballot for away tickets – open to season card and season card +, 90% of which will be allocated on points and 10% on having a + membership, so don’t think you’d get two bites of the cherry, but who knows? The club have got a lot of things right over the past few years, but this seems rushed and poorly thought through.