What delighted me and must have completely shut the naysayers up about Gibbo this week was that we tried (without success) to turn Archers pending loan move into a permanent one.
I don't think this bit of info can be understated. This is a 21 year old, U21 International with 7 goals in 20 games in this league, some fantastic appearences and is so highly rated by his parent club they kept him around with their fan base desperate to get the lad in the team.
He would not have come cheap. He us not coming cheap on loan, Preston said about much.
On top of this it's been made very clear that we have been, and still could be, the side wanting Ross Stewart the most only being put off by the feeling that he wants to stay put. That's a striker that Sunderland will not let go of unless they get a very big amount of cash.
During the summer alot of people complained how Gibbo wasn't investing money in the squad and backing Chris Wilder but on the face of it he really did, despite his lack of trust in him that became evident further down the line.
The questions of Gibbo's investment in our squad continue to absolutely baffle me. There's been seasons of belt tightening before but you must remember this is a man that spent big to achieve goals that for some reason or another didn't happen.
He gave Chris Wilder
Flo Balogun (apparently 40k a week wages)
Aaron Connolly (PL Player)
Riley Mcgree (£3million + beating off Celtic)
Alone in his first window.
Pulis got Aiden Flint (£6million) George Saville (7million) Mo Besic (Tried for £5million permanent)
Monk got £40 million + inherited an excellent squad full of talent. He got our record signing.
Karanka got Stuani, Downing, Nugent, Rhodes and Gaston in the Championship
Nearest, Valdes, De Roon , Fischer, Bamford in the PL.
My point being that Gibbo has continually put his hand in his pocket. Yes we've generated money from sales but you got to in football. You've got to realise if you look through our signings, although a lot have been dross he has still put his hand in his pocket on top of financing our club absolutely amazingly. In a time where many fans worry their club could be gone with one bad move I never worry about us because I know Gibbo would Never EVER let it happen.
Which leads me to this season. We sold Tav and Spence for big money, inevitably some goes into the club, but there was a lot of complaints that Gibbo wouldn't spend.
It's became evident he did trust Wilder but enter Michael Carrick.
Gibbo trusts Scott, Carrick & Woodgate. There is clearly money there for them, the difference is with this team of people they seem to be sensibly plotting what they want, who they want and then being ready to go for it. Its lovely to see Boro striking early.
For me Archer, Barlaser and a wide man + maybe 1 more center mid and we'll have had an excellent January, setting us up to have a real push for the rest of the season. UTFB
I don't think this bit of info can be understated. This is a 21 year old, U21 International with 7 goals in 20 games in this league, some fantastic appearences and is so highly rated by his parent club they kept him around with their fan base desperate to get the lad in the team.
He would not have come cheap. He us not coming cheap on loan, Preston said about much.
On top of this it's been made very clear that we have been, and still could be, the side wanting Ross Stewart the most only being put off by the feeling that he wants to stay put. That's a striker that Sunderland will not let go of unless they get a very big amount of cash.
During the summer alot of people complained how Gibbo wasn't investing money in the squad and backing Chris Wilder but on the face of it he really did, despite his lack of trust in him that became evident further down the line.
The questions of Gibbo's investment in our squad continue to absolutely baffle me. There's been seasons of belt tightening before but you must remember this is a man that spent big to achieve goals that for some reason or another didn't happen.
He gave Chris Wilder
Flo Balogun (apparently 40k a week wages)
Aaron Connolly (PL Player)
Riley Mcgree (£3million + beating off Celtic)
Alone in his first window.
Pulis got Aiden Flint (£6million) George Saville (7million) Mo Besic (Tried for £5million permanent)
Monk got £40 million + inherited an excellent squad full of talent. He got our record signing.
Karanka got Stuani, Downing, Nugent, Rhodes and Gaston in the Championship
Nearest, Valdes, De Roon , Fischer, Bamford in the PL.
My point being that Gibbo has continually put his hand in his pocket. Yes we've generated money from sales but you got to in football. You've got to realise if you look through our signings, although a lot have been dross he has still put his hand in his pocket on top of financing our club absolutely amazingly. In a time where many fans worry their club could be gone with one bad move I never worry about us because I know Gibbo would Never EVER let it happen.
Which leads me to this season. We sold Tav and Spence for big money, inevitably some goes into the club, but there was a lot of complaints that Gibbo wouldn't spend.
It's became evident he did trust Wilder but enter Michael Carrick.
Gibbo trusts Scott, Carrick & Woodgate. There is clearly money there for them, the difference is with this team of people they seem to be sensibly plotting what they want, who they want and then being ready to go for it. Its lovely to see Boro striking early.
For me Archer, Barlaser and a wide man + maybe 1 more center mid and we'll have had an excellent January, setting us up to have a real push for the rest of the season. UTFB