Fan Letters: “Now the window is closed, I am very pleased with our business!”

Dear Roker Report,

I must admit, over the course of the window I have tried to be patient before judging how successful a window it was. I will also admit that at times I have found it difficult. But now the window is closed, I am personally very pleased with our business.

Apart from the German lads, as they only came in on Deadline Day, our new signings look very promising. I am also incredibly pleased to see we have “option to buy” at the end of the German lads’ loans as well. This, I believe, is very shrewd because we have been stung by things like this in the past.

Now to my question, when everybody is fit and up and running, what do you believe our strongest 11 is? Obviously based on what we know about the players as it stands! I realise a difficult question given we have seen the German lads yet, and players like Huggins and Alves haven’t played a lot yet.

Thank you,

Michael Wilson

Ed’s Note [Rich]: We’ve done really well in the transfer market, you’re right Michael. Patience has definitely been a vitue, and we’ll definitely still have to wait and see how Dajaku and Hoffmann fit in, Huggins and Alves too, but I’ll have a stab at a best XI, based on what I’ve seen alone.

Patterson, Winchester, Flanagan, Doyle, Cirkin, Neil, O’Nein, Embleton, Gooch, Stewart, McGeady... Saturday’s lineup have earned their Red & White stripes. The rest, as exciting as they may be, will have to take their opportunities when they come.

But then again, I’m not the one with all the data or who is seeing them in training every day, and I trust Lee Johnson’s judgement in selecting the right side to face each opponent.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

---

Dear Roker Report,

Do you know why the supporters' zone has gone as this use to be a great addition to match days and my daughters loved it? My daughters had the chance of meeting players and getting automated photos. Will this be reconsidered in the future.

Thanks

Chris Chicken

Ed’s Note [Rich]: The Fan Zone was pretty good in previous seasons, and my lad also enjoyed being able to meet the players and we often picked up a bit of merch at the same time. I also like it when its hosted in the Beacon so the kids can hae a kick about too. With the Beacon being used for vaccinations, the club really need to think of alternatives to keep the kids engaged (and the adults well-watered) before the game in the coming few weeks. Maybe the international break will give them time to sort something out.

Photo by Will Matthews/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

---

Dear Roker Report,

Just wanna say that I absolutely loved the live Podcast on deadline day, me and my son sat and listened all night as we wanted to get into the deadline day mood but watching SSN was dull as hell! You have to do more of these.

Thanks.

Karl Simon

Ed’s Note [Rich]: Hi Karl, thanks for your letter and I’ve glad you enjoyed it. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening, it was fun and interesting to try Spaces - we honestly didn’t know if it would work at all, so to see that hundred of people were listening in was fantastic despite one or two little glitches. We’ve got lots more to come on Twitter Spaces, starting with the Lasses Podcast Live from 8-9pm next Monday.