Taking on the Grumpy Old B*stard: Was it the right move to loan Elliot Embleton to Blackpool?

Tom Albrighton: The Correct Decision!

Moving Elliot Embleton out on loan is absolutely the right thing to do. Whilst Lee Johnson continues to figure out his best side, Embleton watching mainly from the sidelines, and perhaps playing one in four games is no good for anyone’s claim.

If the situation was different, and Embleton had not signed a new contract, I may be worried or more sceptical about the move. However, with his new contract has come a commitment and most importantly a guarantee to Sunderland that we won’t be losing a potentially exciting prospect for free come the summer.

Embleton himself is symbolic of the recent mismanagement of Sunderland’s academy, and it’s talent, playing a measly amount of football for a player of his age and talent.

This move therefore provides a brilliant chance for Embleton to get much needed minutes under his belt, but not only that, develop a greater level of experience at Sunderland's current level. This is key mainly because in his fleeting appearances, Embleton has cut across as a hit-and-miss figure, a clear symptom of a player in and out of match day squads.

Kristjaan Speakman’s comments upon Embleton’s departure were telling - it is clear that Elliot has a series of goals and milestones he is expected to achieve whilst active at another club, highlighting not only a lift in standards from the club, but also a clear pathway to more regular starts.

Added together with Sunderland’s currently over-staffed midfield, allowing Embleton an opportunity to grow and develop (albeit away from the club) should be applauded. This feels like the first instance of a new approach which will hopefully filter through to other players, so for that, the bravery of both Embleton and the club should be commended.

It’s a bold strategy Cotton, let’s see if it pays off.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

The Grumpy Old B*stard says... wrong decision!

You know what’s going to happen, don’t you? Typical Sunderland - we’ll play twatful on Saturday against MK Dons, creating f*ck all, and Embleton will have a stormer for Blackpool. Then, we’ll all be sat here after full time, P*SSED OFF that we let him go out!

I’m not saying the lad is a world-beater, but are our attacking players SO GOOD that we can afford to loan out a player who is comfortable with both feet, can take great set pieces (and let’s be fair, McGeady and Leadbitter’s corners and free kicks are f**king sh*te) and likes to pass the ball forward quickly?

It’s wrong. Half these players we have now will be gone in the summer cos they’re either out of contract or too old. Embleton has signed a new deal to extend his stay, yes, which means he’ll be a first teamer next season. So why not get him in the team now and make him part of the side as the season progresses? It’s f*king lunacy if you ask me.

Speakman and Johnson spoke like they have a concrete plan for Embo but to me, it sounds like they panicked and rushed into the decision they made.

Read the above - does that sound like the plan all along was to let him leave?

Little birdy tells me that they tried to shift Chris Maguire out of the club on loan, but for whatever reason they weren’t able to. All of a sudden, Embleton goes to Blackpool and nobody saw it coming. Are we really expected to believe that this was the plan all along?

It may well do the lad good, but I don’t think that this is the best thing for either Embleton or Sunderland. He should be playing in the first team now, he’s better than some of the sh*te that gets in ahead of him every week.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images