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Defoe

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PeruzziWatch said:
Yeah, I've been saying things are fine with Poyet and that the players are letting us down. I would have expected us to stay up anyway but with Defoe here I'm even more confident now.

And I think he is a superstar. You can debate that all you like but he's as close to one as we've had in ages. What player do we have that comes anywhere close to his reputation around the world?
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Comparing him to our current squad doesnt make him a world renowned football superstar. He was never a superstar
 

Sumdumgi said:
No player would make everyone happy. If he comfortably helps us stay up this season he'd be a worthwhile addition. We can't spend our lives worrying about what will happen but if Defoe plays his part I can see him getting picked up on a free by a London club or going back to the MLS.

I do think the contract is longer than I would have expected. Many said the same about O'Shea and we've just extended his and had good value from him. We're screaming out for some proven quality up front and need it urgently and Defoe's length of contract illustrates the reality of our position.
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O'Shea was only 30 when we signed him tbh, plus defenders tend to have longer careers.

I suppose my main gripe isn't with Defoe, but with the reality of where we are. Despite 8 years in the top flight, despite the appointment of a full time sporting director tasked with recruitment, we're still bending over backwards to recruit players past their sell-by date.

West Winger said:
Slight difference being Defoe has 1 in 3.1 over 400 games.

Graham had played 54.
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Graham was also 27, and was widely recognised as being a shite signing from the get go.
 
PeruzziWatch said:
1) He can solve our goalscoring problems and keep us up.
2) He is worth the wages if he does this.
3) He will excite fans who had become a bit disillusioned by our unexciting football.
4) He will lift the mood of the camp and will hopefully give fans a good reason to continue to go and watch home games.
5) He will be a great mentor for Wickham. Bags of experience and that will rub off on the young lad.
6) He will inspire others around him to create more chances when they see his pace/movement.
7) He can influence the team by showing them how it's done and bring some confidence back.
8) He is a superstar and popular around the world, he could make a move to Sunderland more attractive for London-obsessed players. Many players would be attracted by the prospect of playing with him.
9) He will bring lots of outside attention to the club and the media will be more interested. That might lead to England scouts/Hodgson being more interested too. Which would benefit our other English players.
10) He can help to inspire the young lads in the team and academy players who would see him as an icon/role model.

I can think of a few more but that's enough for now.

It's not just about whether he can be amazing for 3 years. There's lots more positives than just the goals he might bring too. Someone like Altidore (bless him) was never going to have this kind of impact. In fact, Altidore was having an extremely negative impact. What Defoe brings us is goals, positivity and that superstar factor that we've not had for a long time.

This could be a massive turning point for this club.
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:lol::lol::lol:
 
not spavin said:
O'Shea was only 30 when we signed him tbh, plus defenders tend to have longer careers.

I suppose my main gripe isn't with Defoe, but with the reality of where we are. Despite 8 years in the top flight, despite the appointment of a full time sporting director tasked with recruitment, we're still bending over backwards to recruit players past their sell-by date.
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Totally agree with the last paragraph. It also reminds of a Bruce signing similar to Gardner, we need goals from upfront buy him with little thought how he would fit in.

Hope he does well at the club
 
West Winger said:
Comparing this signing to Robbie Keane? What on earth are you on about?

Also you seem to be forgetting that Yorke was a good player while he was here and far from being deadwood was a key player in our first season back in the premiership. He was only given a one year extension to his contract at the end of his initial 2 year deal. Hardly saddling us with dead wood.

Also in 3 years time who's to say that we won't be offering Defoe a coaching role? Or something similar?
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Robbie Keane plays in the MLS, it directly compares. You say we should be excited because Defoe is a EPL top scorer - s ois Keane. In fact, Keane is the MLS' MVP and still plays for his country, so would arguably make the better signing.

Would you be excited about signing Robbie Keane? He's older, but Defoe will still have a year on his contract when he reaches the same age.
 
PeruzziWatch said:
Yeah, I've been saying things are fine with Poyet and that the players are letting us down. I would have expected us to stay up anyway but with Defoe here I'm even more confident now.

And I think he is a superstar. You can debate that all you like but he's as close to one as we've had in ages. What player do we have that comes anywhere close to his reputation around the world?
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What do you think about the fact that Fletcher has outscored him in the PL over the last four seasons (exc this season obviously).
 
If he keeps us up he will be worth it.
Was Wickham worth 8million probably not but if you take the view it was his goals that kept us up last season then yes he has repaid that by staving off relegation. Its all relative really.
 
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