Roker Rapport Podcast: With Sunderland AFC owner Stewart Donald

[Kermit]

My question is

The two scenarios for next season are league 1 or championship

If we stay in league one, what investment will be made to add to the current squad to make sure we sign the missing players we need to secure promotion at the second time of asking. We lack a quality proven goalscorer based on Wyke and Griggs return. Centre halves who can pass
And strong tall powerhouse midfielders

Championship

We want to ideally finish mid table and have a great season next season. This would require a certain investment or do you want to really go for it and invest heavily and try a double promotion with a massive squad over hall



Finally. Can you clarify player of the season aiden mcgeadys contract situation

This really. Investment if we go up. I dont want the exact size of the kitty but reassurances we could be competitive. That is where more info re sartori would be welcome. Is he going to step it up? Also does he acknowledge the majority of players we have signed this season would need replacing and can we do it?

Edit also we want him to stay

 

[andysafc85]

Not sure fans should be cleaning like

Plenty painting and jet washing to be done and I think people would offer their services.

 

[Cack Stottie]

@Cack Stottie

When do you anticipate this podcast been uploaded?

Sunday morning at some point.

 

[Guinness Guzzler]

This really. Investment if we go up. I dont want the exact size of the kitty but reassurances we could be competitive. That is where more info re sartori would be welcome. Is he going to step it up? Also does he acknowledge the majority of players we have signed this season would need replacing and can we do it?

Edit also we want him to stay

Agree, this is easily the most important thing to discuss. I'd be very interested to know how much we'd be affected, in terms of our medium to long term goals, if we fail to go up. I know they'd be able to fund it but, given we'd have to spend again, what would the impact be of having to use all/ most of our last parachute payment in this league considering we'd then (if successful next season) be coming up into a league where possibly 5 or more sides would still be receiving PL parachute payments. Would that make additional investment more crucial, or is it still hoped that the existing owners could make us competitive, maybe with extra involvement from Sartori.

And also agreed, I love us being ran sustainably despite the challenges, and like most I'm very keen for the current owners to stay on regardless of what happens this season. I hope we can convey the fact that they have massive support from the fans (I'm sure they're already aware like, but worth reiterating that the fans are grateful for the job they've done up to now and hopefully will continue to do for the foreseeable future)

 

[Kermit]

Another idea, is there no way we could get some of the good german lager in? I. E. Paulaner or lowenbrau? Also. Having attended several german matches they have thicker plastic glasses where the handles drop in on top of each other. You can carry 4/5 pints in each hand. You also get €0.50 when you return them. So its less spillage and environmentally friendly

 

[Mr David]

Another idea, is there no way we could get some of the good german lager in? I. E. Paulaner or lowenbrau? Also. Having attended several german matches they have thicker plastic glasses where the handles drop in on top of each other. You can carry 4/5 pints in each hand. You also get €0.50 when you return them. So its less spillage and environmentally friendly

Hipster.

 

[Secret Visage]

Another idea, is there no way we could get some of the good german lager in? I. E. Paulaner or lowenbrau? Also. Having attended several german matches they have thicker plastic glasses where the handles drop in on top of each other. You can carry 4/5 pints in each hand. You also get €0.50 when you return them. So its less spillage and environmentally friendly

The catering contract is hived off from before SD took over, not much they can do until it expires.

 

[Guinness Guzzler]

Another idea, is there no way we could get some of the good german lager in? I. E. Paulaner or lowenbrau? Also. Having attended several german matches they have thicker plastic glasses where the handles drop in on top of each other. You can carry 4/5 pints in each hand. You also get €0.50 when you return them. So its less spillage and environmentally friendly

Unfortunately I think we're tied down regarding catering for a while and all lager seems to have to be Molson Coors (hence the Carling). We know the owners like their pints mind, and they know how much we like ours, so I'm sure they'll look at it as soon as they can!

 

[kildaremackem]

This really. Investment if we go up. I dont want the exact size of the kitty but reassurances we could be competitive. That is where more info re sartori would be welcome. Is he going to step it up? Also does he acknowledge the majority of players we have signed this season would need replacing and can we do it?

Edit also we want him to stay

the thing is whatever number he might state..someone will state thats not competitve we want more..
for example, stewart is big mates with the sheff utd manager..there is no way it looked like sheff utd had a "competitive budget" at the strt of the season..
a better way to phrase the same question might be, is promotion the goal next season?

Agree, this is easily the most important thing to discuss. I'd be very interested to know how much we'd be affected, in terms of our medium to long term goals, if we fail to go up. I know they'd be able to fund it but, given we'd have to spend again, what would the impact be of having to use all/ most of our last parachute payment in this league considering we'd then (if successful next season) be coming up into a league where possibly 5 or more sides would still be receiving PL parachute payments. Would that make additional investment more crucial, or is it still hoped that the existing owners could make us competitive, maybe with extra involvement from Sartori.

And also agreed, I love us being ran sustainably despite the challenges, and like most I'm very keen for the current owners to stay on regardless of what happens this season. I hope we can convey the fact that they have massive support from the fans (I'm sure they're already aware like, but worth reiterating that the fans are grateful for the job they've done up to now and hopefully will continue to do for the foreseeable future)

great post.
I think financially we would ironically be better off next year if we didnt go up, because players wouldnt get the inbuilt wage rises for promotion, and we would get the para monjey to spend, not like this season when it went to pay debts. But as you say, if we dont go up, then we would get to the champo without any para money, and it gets very tricky.

 

[MunkyHeed]

Possibly asked already but it’d be good to know when we’ll know if we get Netflix S2 & what needs to happen.

 

[DurhamSAFC1973]

Renaming the stadium.

Is it possible to insert the potential new stadium sponsor’s name before Stadium of Light instead of completely changing the name?

E.g. The _______ Stadium of Light

 

[chriswallace85]

Possibly asked already but it’d be good to know when we’ll know if we get Netflix S2 & what needs to happen.

Won't be half as interesting anyway. The existing series is only so captivating because last season was such a farce.

 

[samaistonsrightfoot]

Are/when are the other stands being named?

Has he decided if badge will be changed?

 

[RichD]

Has Kimpioka's contract been sorted out yet ?

 

[Kermit]

the thing is whatever number he might state..someone will state thats not competitve we want more..
for example, stewart is big mates with the sheff utd manager..there is no way it looked like sheff utd had a "competitive budget" at the strt of the season..
a better way to phrase the same question might be, is promotion the goal next season?


great post.
I think financially we would ironically be better off next year if we didnt go up, because players wouldnt get the inbuilt wage rises for promotion, and we would get the para monjey to spend, not like this season when it went to pay debts. But as you say, if we dont go up, then we would get to the champo without any para money, and it gets very tricky.

I don't think promotion is, or should be the goal next year like. I would be happy if competitive meant mid-table and not getting steamrollered by the top teams. Unfortunately without investment i think that is exactly what would happen with the current side. We get away with a lot due to poor opposition not being clinical.

 

[kildaremackem]

I don't think promotion is, or should be the goal next year like. I would be happy if competitive meant mid-table and not getting steamrollered by the top teams. Unfortunately without investment i think that is exactly what would happen with the current side. We get away with a lot due to poor opposition not being clinical.

there are no plans for the current side to play next year, there are plans to spend money on players. sheff utd biggest buy this season cost about the same as ours...shows what can be done.

Has Kimpioka's contract been sorted out yet ?

yes he has 15 months left..

 

[MunkyHeed]

Won't be half as interesting anyway. The existing series is only so captivating because last season was such a farce.

S1 just highlighted to me how much I’d wiped from my memory.

 

[RichD]

there are no plans for the current side to play next year, there are plans to spend money on players. sheff utd biggest buy this season cost about the same as ours...shows what can be done.


yes he has 15 months left..

SD had said previously in another podcast that he wasn't going to have another maja situation when playing the young lads in the 1st team and would sort their contracts out first..

 

[Mary Hinge]

Can the subs can sell crab sticks and other tasty seafood snacks whilst warming up?

 

[martinlumley]

IMO the only way they'd get a decent amount of people in the ground early is if they undercut all the bars around the ground with their beer prices, and that's just not going to happen.

they should try it, say for the last home game, all pints £2.50. see how much business it generates.