Roker Roundup: Buying Sunderland would be one of the ‘best deals’, says Posh owner McAnthony

One of the best deals around

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has revealed on his own podcast, The Hard Truth, that he knows the figures that Stewart Donald is looking for and believes that should they sell it would be ‘one of the best deals around’.

MacAnthony was answering a question from a Hull City fan about their situation and said both the Tigers and Sunderland would be the best teams to buy from outside the Premier League.

He also said he was surprised neither had been sold yet but believes that situation will be resolved in the future as the pandemic situation changes:

If you’re looking to buy two clubs, two clubs outside the Premier League, you’d have to say Hull and Sunderland are probably two of the best deals there.

I know the figures for both clubs and those, on paper, would be two of the best deals.

So I’m a little bit surprised, maybe because of the pandemic and whatever else and maybe in 8/9 months it will change and both those clubs will be sold.

You can listen to the entire podcast with MacAnthony by pressing play on the embedded player below:

Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images

Diamond an inspiration

Jack Diamond scored his first senior goal for Sunderland in the 5-3 EFL Trophy win over Carlisle in midweek and the Cumbrians manager Chris Beech believes the youngster can be an inspiration to Lewis Bell.

Beech revealed to the News and Star that he tried unsuccessfully to sign Diamond earlier in the summer and was full of praise for how the winger has developed over the last 12 months, thanks to a loan spell with Harrogate Town.

The Carlisle boss also had praise for his side’s 18-year-old winger Bell but used Diamond’s work-rate as something the player can take inspiration from:

When Brennan Dickenson pulled his hamstring at Sunderland in pre-season, I rang their manager Phil Parkinson to thank him for the pre-season game, and enquired about Diamond, who’d been at Harrogate.

You could see the other day the difference in that he’s had that extra 12 months. I know he’s older, but he’s been out, on loan, done really well for Harrogate to help them get promoted, then he scores that last goal against Lewi Bell trying to track him.

It’s that bit you need to get into those technical players – to stop the goal and then do your thing.

Lewi was definitely doing his thing the other day – he was confident, taking players on, coming inside, he’s got a beautiful, lovely touch and great football intelligence.

But you have to have a process and make sure your opposition don’t score. It was just that last goal where Diamond came on the inside and smashed it into the goal.

It’s not just him at 17-18 having to learn that. I’ll still talk to 32-year-olds about that.

You could see in Diamond, his resolute, consistent way he plays. Jack Armer did brilliant against him, he didn’t have it his own way at all, then when we took risk to try and get the equaliser [at 4-3] there was a gap on the far side which Lewi had to cover, and Diamond took advantage.

Photo by Robert Smith/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Trialist on decision to turn down Sunderland

Scottish goalkeeper Josh Rae had a trial spell with Sunderland over the summer but has now signed for Peterhead United.

Rae has been on the books of both Leeds United and Celtic and was with Cowdenbeath before Covid-19 caused an early end to the season, he then joined Sunderland in the hopes of earning a contract.

Speaking about his time at Sunderland with the Press and Journal, Rae believes he did well but decided not to stay on as he was only offered a spot in the development squad:

I was in at Sunderland and played a game with them and felt I did well.

But I was told I would only be a training and development goalkeeper – but I want to play senior football so that move didn’t happen.

Then I also had a trial with West Brom, but it was similar to Sunderland.

But I decided I wanted to play first-team football and build a career for myself so I decided Peterhead would be the best place to do that.

Joining Peterhead gives me a good platform and League One should be a good league this season so I’m looking forward to it.