Not read all of the comments regarding Mannone, think it would be great. Another thing to consider, who would you prefer Patterson learn from and strive to replace, Burge or Mannone?
I’d look to loan Patterson out if Mannone signed. I wanted him to start ahead of Burge this season but he wasn’t great in pre-season. Mannone #1 and Burge #2 would be brilliant options for this level.
I'm thinking long term, and hoping if Vito does sign it's for the long term. Short term it allows Patterson to go out on loan, and when he's back he has a much better keeper to try and displace, which will ultimately make him a better keeper in the long term, rather than being Burge's number two and getting his chance if Burge gets injured or has a few howlers on the bounce.
I reckon he'd be a bit of a coup at this level providing we're not throwing money at him. With so many new faces I think its important to have people in the squad who get the club.
I'm sure he'll fit into our wage budget mate. Gone are the days when we overpay in wages to get players here. If we get him, the Leeds lad and Key I think the last piece of the jigsaw will be a top quality wide forward.
Is the the Goalkeeper you were referring to a few days back ... or where you not aware of particular names at that point? I trust your info as decent .... but this Manonne return just really doesn't ring true to me ... an ex player liking club statuses and talking fondly of his time here is nothing new, is there any intel at all to suggest it is something SAFC are working on or is it just a 2+2 = 5 scenario?
what a lovely time to be a Sunderland supporter, im more confident than ever of us being in the top three for promotion, and if all of these new faces gell fast enough i could see up promoted as champions
I'm going to say it very quietly but IF (IF) it doesn't happen for us this season, I'm more confident than ever that for once the groundwork is being put in place that we should be stronger next season. Don't think we could or have been confident in that before.