Notice Richardson has been at left back for the last few of our pre-season games and gives some indication that Bruce still has it in his mind that Richardson's best position is left back. Everyone has different opinions but what we surely all agree with is that he gives us natural balance and an attacking threat when he is played in that position we just need to find the man who's going to play infront of him. N'Zogbia has gone and it seems as though Johnson is the new favourite amongst us fans to fill that spot aswell as the reported link with Barnetta yesterday. If we can bring in a player of the quality of a Johnson or a Barnetta IMO our left hand side with Richardson behind them at left back will be looking pretty strong and could well be the difference between another season mixing it with the likes of Fulham, Bolton, Stoke for a top ten spot or trying to push for a europa league spot if the top teams win the cups (would make europa spots go down to 7th spot).
I was at Burnley yesterday and im sorry in my opinion Richardson is not a left back he never will be a left back he does not want to play left back and if he plays this season like yesterday he should be left back at home every week. The man showed no commitment and played as though he did not want to be there. Having said that the only few guys that impressed were Collbeck (oustanding) Vaughan Sess Ji Din Wong Gardner Larsson, the rest including Gyan just went through the motions.
He may give us balance & an attacking option. Pity he can't defend for Jack ****e. He wont ever make a full back as long as he has a hole in his erse.
There is a left back available at another north east club. Couple of million plus Gorgeous George McCartney with a contract stipulation that McCartney has to play in the derby might just do it......
I think Bardo Brown OShea Richedson Is probably our best back 4 at the moment with Turner and Bramble needing more match fitness. Bardo is the clubs best Rb and Richardson is the clubs best LB. I agree with the OP we just need someone in front of Richardson and we could be looking strong next year. Pre season is mainly about fitness, I seem to remember us having a terrible pre season one of the years we finished 7th. I certainly remember going to Mansfield and seeing us get beat.
richardson is and has been now for 2 seasons a utility player and although he preferes his midfield role when all the squad is fit bruce will decide if and when required to play him imo he will not be first choice starter but i am sure bruce will use him most games we all know he has the ability to performe
I've a horrible feeling that Richo will start against Liverpool and that worries me a little bit;apart from the fact that he is left footed I don't see a reason to keep him apart from as a Utility back up. He's had too many chances to proove himself since joining and I think we should look to move him on particularly if Steed is staying.
We are Sunderland, we don't do LB's (or LW's if it comes to that) We just stick some players on the left to make the numbers up. If I was an opposition manager I'd send EVERY attack against our weak left side. It's obvious!
Hope Richardson dosn't get a sniff at left back,dosn't do the basics well, if we dont bring a genuine left full back in (which is unlikely) we should stick with Bardsley, miles better than Richardson.
I hope Richardson does start at LB, I personally think if he stays injury free he could be a superb Lb and save us some much needed cash for scorer winger. It also means Bardo can play RB which is his natural position. I have faith in KR and would be quite happy to see him start against Liverpool.
