Transfer Deadline: Will Sunderland add to their ranks before 5pm on Friday?!

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Transfer Deadline: Will Sunderland add to the ranks this week?!

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Malcolm Dugdale says...

While I doubt we will get four more additions into the squad this week, to continue with the good start, I think we need to cover four areas.

The first is in between the sticks. After seeing Remi Matthews look uncomfortable against less than challenging opposition, another option as backup keeper might be an idea if we can bring one in on a free or extremely cheap. Burge has been solid with a couple of wobbles, but if he gets injured, we could be exposed as Matthews as first choice and Parky doesn’t seem to feel Patterson is ready.

In the back three, we have gone from a glut of central defenders to now become an area of concern. The injuries to Feeney and Xhemajli and the suspension for Flanagan, mean that any more bans or injuries would again leave us weak at the back, as Taylor clearly needs more time.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Out wide, we still have no cover for Denver Hume. We have players who could potentially play out of position to fill the void should the 22-year-old left sided player become unavailable for any reason, but a natural left footer who can get up and down the flank as cover would be useful.

Finally, I’d also like us to focus on improving our attacking options. Grigg is still a fifth wheel that Parkinson doesn’t know how to use, and Wyke is just Wyke, so I’d like another option as either an attacking midfielder or a striker. Pace and power have been on the wanted list for years so why not give that a go Phil?

However, I don’t expect us to do business in all the places I have stated, but given the recent news about McGeady and his impact on the squad limits, I am hopeful we can get at least two.

I’d be happy to see Wyke leave to make way, and I’d also be okay with some of the young lads going out on loan, but we need the squad depth to cover inevitable absences, so it could be a fine balancing act. That said, I’d rather give Neil, Diamond and Kimpioka a chance, and the latter may well help with some of that pace, even if he is a bit like a rudderless rocket!

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Gary Engel says...

What should be priority and what Phil Parkinson sees as most important I’d argue are two different things.

Blatantly obvious, is Sunderland’s lack of goals. But we are unlikely to see any further additions to our forward options, or even the top creative midfielder that we’re crying out for. We may be able to control matches in the most part, but the lack of that final killer ball is sorely lacking.

There may well be some formula to be found to strike the right balance. While scoring goals won’t be addressed, Parkinson’s stall seems settled on keeping as many clean sheets as possible. So, strength-in-depth defensively is the area we’ll see any incoming transfers.

If another left back can finally be signed it could not only provide cover but give us options. It could possibly free up Hume to play further forward if we ever play with more than one natural wide player on either flank. Additionally, on the right we could see Diamond down the flank before long, which could change Parkinson’s thinking.

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Kelvin Beattie says...

I am concerned at the lack of cover defensively considering the recent injuries and suspensions in that area.

I would not be heartbroken if injuries led to an opportunity for Jack Diamond and Dan Neil, but would rather we played them with a fully fit squad and as part of an overarching plan so the pressure isn’t all on their shoulders as a last option.

I repeat my view that this team needs a creative option through the centre of midfield with a bit of pace to augment what we already have. I am perhaps less concerned about our keeper situation than others, but fully expect that statement to come back and haunt me.

So, “Dear Santa, please could I have for an early Christmas present - young aspiring quick centre-half, left wing-back, central midfielder and a forward please?”

Realistically I expect a defensive option before the deadline.

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