The absence of Welbeck this season...

[Lord Alfred]

I know some on here don't rate the lad that highly but imo we were average before he found his feet in the PL last season and a shambles once he (and others of course) got injured or left (in Bent's case). While he was on top form however we looked as good as any Sunderland side i've seen. The football was fast, incisive and inventive but also with a cutting edge. He won't be coming back but (also imo) it will be a huge mistake if Bruce looks to plug round holes with square pegs by playing players who have already failed miserably on the left..... Steed, (no end product) Vaughan (read what Dario Grady said about him) and either Richardson (can't pass or cross) or Colback (clutching at straws playing him on the left). We've spent nowt and wages won't have increased by much given that 8 have left. I don't care whether it's a permanant signing or a loan but it will be criminally negligent of Bruce not to bring someone in who can either play the left channel of a 4-3-3 or as an out and out winger......both preferably.

[Dexter]

Welbeck only looked any good when played as a genuine striker, or just slightly off the main striker in a 4-4-1-1.

He was not and is not the answer to our left sided problems.

[roppa]

Disagree think he had a good 10 / 12 games otherwise very average.

our problem was bent going and no replacement, still not filled that gap imo, gyan will never be a 20 goal striker, although i do like him, i'd swap him tomorrow for defoe and a n other from spurs.

[jsdftm04]

Originally Posted by roppa

Disagree think he had a good 10 / 12 games otherwise very average.

our problem was bent going and no replacement, still not filled that gap imo, gyan will never be a 20 goal striker, although i do like him, i'd swap him tomorrow for defoe and a n other from spurs.

We can't replace bent...impossible

[Lord Alfred]

Originally Posted by Dexter

Welbeck only looked any good when played as a genuine striker, or just slightly off the main striker in a 4-4-1-1.

He was not and is not the answer to our left sided problems.

I have to disagree with you mate......i saw every game he played and he was like Henry in the days when he would often recieve the ball wide left before cutting in past players. Welbeck was very comfortable in that role and was also hard working enough to get back and not allow his full back to be pressurised too much. He did look good as an out and out striker but i also thought he created so many problems for teams by taking defenders out of the game cutting in from the left.

[Trembaths]

Originally Posted by Lord Alfred

I know some on here don't rate the lad that highly but imo we were average before he found his feet in the PL last season and a shambles once he (and others of course) got injured or left (in Bent's case). While he was on top form however we looked as good as any Sunderland side i've seen. The football was fast, incisive and inventive but also with a cutting edge. He won't be coming back but (also imo) it will be a huge mistake if Bruce looks to plug round holes with square pegs by playing players who have already failed miserably on the left..... Steed, (no end product) Vaughan (read what Dario Grady said about him) and either Richardson (can't pass or cross) or Colback (clutching at straws playing him on the left). We've spent nowt and wages won't have increased by much given that 8 have left. I don't care whether it's a permanant signing or a loan but it will be criminally negligent of Bruce not to bring someone in who can either play the left channel of a 4-3-3 or as an out and out winger......both preferably.

Why is it bruce's fault ( criminally negligent ..spot the drama queen ) if no more money is available

[Lord Alfred]

Originally Posted by roppa

Disagree think he had a good 10 / 12 games otherwise very average.
our problem was bent going and no replacement, still not filled that gap imo, gyan will never be a 20 goal striker, although i do like him, i'd swap him tomorrow for defoe and a n other from spurs.

That's exactly what i said.......don't forget it was his first PL season and he was entitled to take a few games to find his feet and when he came back from injury the arse had already fallen out of the season.

[randle]

Has he played for Man U this pre-season?

[The Hooded Claw]

Noticed its a LA thread, so best to just ignore.

[Lord Alfred]

Originally Posted by Trembaths

Why is it bruce's fault ( criminally negligent ..spot the drama queen ) if no more money is available

Read the post again......i said a loan would be ok. It's Bruce's fault because a blind man on a galloping horse can see that we are as weak as piss down the left and fannying about with Colback out there etc won't solve the problem. The chairman stated that the club had sold the manager a bit short last season and numbers and quality would be increased for this season. So far it has all been smoke and mirrors with very little actually spent although i applaud what has been done. To effectively get ALL our new signings in exchange for Henderson is a fantastic bit of business but there's a massive piece of the jigsaw missing and we will be found out if we possess no threat down the left........and we won't with the personnel we have at the club.

Originally Posted by The Hooded Claw

Noticed its a LA thread, so best to just ignore.