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Post by Olgrligm on Jul 25, 2014 11:11:40 GMT
Barring injuries or transfers, Shawcross and Begovic are nailed on for 25 starts. I expect that Whelan and N'Zonzi will be too, although I'm not sure how Hughes plans to use Sidwell. If Arnautovic keeps up his form from the end of last season then he'll probably be a virtual ever present, as will Diouf. Of the others who got 25+ starts last season, Walters will probably end up playing 30+ appearance but all from the bench, Cameron will probably end up playing a fair number of games from the bench but will also probably fall just shy of 25 starts with filling in in various positions, likewise Wilson. I rate Pieters and expect that he will start the season as first choice, but Muniesa could push him all the way.
I always thought Bardsley was unfairly maligned by Sunderland fans, myself. Bear in mind that these are the Sunderland supporters who wouldn't know what makes a decent full back if they used a time machine to have Paolo Maldini from 20 years ago playing for them - they'd still probably think he was about on a par with Danny Collins. If they don't like Bardsley then frankly, that's as good an endorsement as I need. Agree with that, MD. I like them both. The pair of them signed 4-yr deals last summer - and it'll be interesting to see at what point during those 4 years Muniesa topples him. Muniesa was probably happy to be his understudy as he bedded himself in - but now he'll be more confident and settled and maybe won't take as well to prolonged periods on the bench. Tricky. Is he an outside bet to push for Huth's spot if Huth can't shake off his injury problems? Again, Huth would start the season as first choice for me but could get pushed all the way.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 11:19:21 GMT
As things stand, Whelan is up there on the list with the likes of Bego and Ryan.
If we can shift Palacios and bring in better then that might change.
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Jul 25, 2014 11:19:30 GMT
I'd go as far to say that I think we'd sell Cameron if an offer of around £3m came in. Based on bringing Bardsley in and based on us giving Wilko a new contract.
Reckon Pieters will be regular LB too.
The second centre half will be determined on merit. Huth doesn't have as much credit in the bank with Hughes as he does with the supporters so I'm not sure he'll be an automatic pick.
Not so sure that Sidwell will be deployed ahead of Whelan as the holding midfielder as that is not his natural game. Even if Hughes is planning to convert him to a DMC as he approaches the twilight of his career I reckon Whelan will see him off and reclaim the position in time.
As others have said Arnie and Diouf are the only ones who seem like head and shoulders above the rest in terms of being a week in, week out pick, and attacking positions are rotated more anyway.
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Post by FullerMagic on Jul 25, 2014 16:09:07 GMT
I'd go as far to say that I think we'd sell Cameron if an offer of around £3m came in. Based on bringing Bardsley in and based on us giving Wilko a new contract.Reckon Pieters will be regular LB too. The second centre half will be determined on merit. Huth doesn't have as much credit in the bank with Hughes as he does with the supporters so I'm not sure he'll be an automatic pick. Not so sure that Sidwell will be deployed ahead of Whelan as the holding midfielder as that is not his natural game. Even if Hughes is planning to convert him to a DMC as he approaches the twilight of his career I reckon Whelan will see him off and reclaim the position in time. As others have said Arnie and Diouf are the only ones who seem like head and shoulders above the rest in terms of being a week in, week out pick, and attacking positions are rotated more anyway. re Wilko: It is a bit odd to give a new deal, and presumably a place in the 25, to someone exclusively as (seemingly) 3rd choice right-back, particularly when you've got Wilson who'd be pretty serviceable there (and could be short of minutes himself is Huth is favoured) and Shotton who was pretty passable, under contract. In fact, I still haven't got my head around it. Good luck to Wilko for picking up another £500,000+ Premier League contract, but back-up for the back-up seems a bit out-of-it. He's obviously settled for keeping his domestic life settled rather than look for game time - but can't see why he was given a new deal. Maybe Hughes sees him as a good dressing room presence who helps to set the vibe of the squad with good eggs like Shawcross, Huth, Wilson and Walters who've been here a lng time. But surely it'll unravel when he never gets on the bench? I think Geoff's a prize candidate to get itchy feet if he ends up being 2nd choice right-back and (at least) 4th choice for one of the 2 central midfield spots and possibly 5th choice for centre-back. He's a very good man to have on the bench, but I can't see him being the type who'll settle for that at his age, having come to this level late. Doesn't seem a 'keep picking up dem cheques' kind of guy. If Bardsley stays healthy, he could be asking for move come January.
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Post by Gods on Jul 25, 2014 16:17:16 GMT
I'd go as far to say that I think we'd sell Cameron if an offer of around £3m came in. Based on bringing Bardsley in and based on us giving Wilko a new contract.Reckon Pieters will be regular LB too. The second centre half will be determined on merit. Huth doesn't have as much credit in the bank with Hughes as he does with the supporters so I'm not sure he'll be an automatic pick. Not so sure that Sidwell will be deployed ahead of Whelan as the holding midfielder as that is not his natural game. Even if Hughes is planning to convert him to a DMC as he approaches the twilight of his career I reckon Whelan will see him off and reclaim the position in time. As others have said Arnie and Diouf are the only ones who seem like head and shoulders above the rest in terms of being a week in, week out pick, and attacking positions are rotated more anyway. re Wilko: It is a bit odd to give a new deal, and presumably a place in the 25, to someone exclusively as (seemingly) 3rd choice right-back, particularly when you've got Wilson who'd be pretty serviceable there (and could be short of minutes himself is Huth is favoured) and Shotton who was pretty passable, under contract. In fact, I still haven't got my head around it. Good luck to Wilko for picking up another £500,000+ Premier League contract, but back-up for the back-up seems a bit out-of-it. He's obviously settled for keeping his domestic life settled rather than look for game time - but can't see why he was given a new deal. Maybe Hughes sees him as a good dressing room presence who helps to set the vibe of the squad with good eggs like Shawcross, Huth, Wilson and Walters who've been here a lng time. But surely it'll unravel when he never gets on the bench? I think Geoff's a prize candidate to get itchy feet if he ends up being 2nd choice right-back and (at least) 4th choice for one of the 2 central midfield spots and possibly 5th choice for centre-back. He's a very good man to have on the bench, but I can't see him being the type who'll settle for that at his age, having come to this level late. Doesn't seem a 'keep picking up dem cheques' kind of guy. If Bardsley stays healthy, he could be asking for move come January. On Wilko, was he not given a new deal just before we signed Bardsley? I can only surmise that the Bardsley deal was not 'on-plan' and long in the making. He became available and we snapped him up almost at a whim? I know things are not supposed to work like that but sometimes perhaps they do. The chairman didn't see the apparently wasted £500k on Wilko's wages as the end of the world since Wilko will provide extra cover and help in the event of any cup runs and he ticks the "local" box which Mr. Coates holds so dear. All just a total guess of course...
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Jul 25, 2014 16:55:26 GMT
Bardsley was on a free though so I can't see the management not having known that for quite a while before we gave Wilko the contract.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 17:18:50 GMT
Begovic, Shawcross and Whelan all started and finished today's game
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