No, the thing the bollock brains collective forget is that it was a simultaneous announcement from SAFC & BAHAFC. But, you know, anything to bash club about..........................
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Tommy Watson ( ...off to Brighton)
- Thread starter Daffy
- Start date
Don't think he's necessarily in a mad rush. Has a solid offer from an established Premier league team with a reputation for developing players. He also probably increases his wages 5-10 times. He's backing himself to be able to compete there. which may or may not work out but that could be said for every transfer.
I don't get why some people seem bothered by him leaving tbh. We (presumably) got a decent fee for a raw talent who, while having some bright moments hasn't been essential to the team. Losing players to teams in a better financial position is part of the game and it'll be in our interest for him to do well.
SAFC Wilks
Striker
I would be surprised if he’s in their first team squad when the season kicks off, he might get some first team minutes in pre-season of course.
He’s definitely a talented lad and a good prospect, but he’s not a regular in the championship never mind premier league.
Maybe a better coaching team at Brighton could improve him further and quicker - who knows?
Portishead Mackem
Winger
His defensive work is very poor - can’t tackle for example… he’ll be in their u21’s.
PTR
Striker
1 - He isn't even our first choice winger
2 - Our clear best winger didn't do all that well when he moved to the PL last season
He's got potential, no question. But expecting him to hit the ground running is a bit much. Perhaps they mean occasional sub for the first 6 months or so? Which would be reasonable.
SAFC Wilks
Striker
The Situation
Striker
ajthemackem
Striker
He needs to pack on some clem to compete at the top level IMO.
He hasn't got the pace to strip people on the wing and doesn't have the physical presence to shrug people off.
He hasn't got the pace to strip people on the wing and doesn't have the physical presence to shrug people off.
Gennaro Savastano
Midfield
Brighton have a recent history of doing well at developing and getting the best out of players and seem to have a very good scouting system.
10 Gary Rowells
Striker
I don't think its necessarily being bothered. Its more a discussion about how best careers can be developed and, with Watson, maybe the influence of agents. There has been a long list of young talent which has left Sunderland (either because they had ambition beyond Sunderland or because they were touted by Stewart Donald). Not one of them has gone on to develop great careers to date and they are all around 20/21/22 where they really should be playing regualr first team football. Greenwood, who is well paid no doubt, is not wanted by Leeds, Boro or Preston and at 23 has seen his career on a downward trajectory. Hugill is 21 and couldn't get in the Carlisle team. Turner-Cooke will no doubt be cast off by Newcastle this summer and so on. McConnell at Liverpool is the only one where you could say the move looks a good one in terms of career development but he's 20 and only played a 3 or 4 first team games this season. Yes, these lads have made some money but some are in danger of drifting out the game. Whereas Sunderland with the likes of Rigg, Jobe and Watson and others are as good a club as there is to develop your career. I think the ages from 17 - 21 are key for development and a few of the lads who have left have wasted those years. Obviously there would be no guarantees but people like Hugill and Turner-Cooke are great examples of players who don't look like reaching anywhere near their potential.
hertsmackem
Striker
Brighton have seen a lot they like and he will only improve, great move for him and good luck to him. I wish we were keeping him
10 Gary Rowells
Striker
The other thing is when he was 17 he didn't sign his contract straight away as he was looking round at options then. So, yes, I think this lad has always had one eye away from the club.
I think he is gonna be an excellent player. Good luck to the lad
Lucky1985
Winger
Playing devils advocate, but look at Embleton and Denver Hume. Both players who broke into the first team, then got injured and never made anything of themselves. Now languishing in lower leagues on presumably shite wages.
In football, sometimes it’s better to take the larger contract when it’s on offer as your career could end tomorrow.
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Arfa Sleep
Striker
Aye that's how I read first teams reckoning, not the starting XI.
brains
Striker
DIfferent players have different attributes, some of which are more suited to PL football.
Clarke's main strength is carrying the ball past players or even several players. This is great for the Championship, but against PL level defenders it's a lot more difficult to do and players often don't even have the go ahead to do. See Grealish for example. He's also playing in an Ipswich team that spent most of their games defending, which again isn't suited to Clarke.
Watson is going to an established PL team and for me he is better than Jack Clarke was @ 19 years old. Players are so raw when they are that young and can rapidly develop into much better players. See Mundle and Mayenda for 2 recent examples at Sunderland.
I may be wrong, but I'm confident that he will do well at Brighton. But either way, I wish the young lad all the best for his future.
MustardAndOnions
Winger
Some people just not getting how young he is
Listen I understand players move on and the world moves on, I just don’t get why he was so desperate to leave before the end of this season,
Nobody in the country id argue gives more starts to kids than Sunderland
Listen I understand players move on and the world moves on, I just don’t get why he was so desperate to leave before the end of this season,
Nobody in the country id argue gives more starts to kids than Sunderland
