Nick Jansky
Well-Known Member
The difference between us and Sunderland avoiding the drop in the first season is stark. We were mainly relying on the squad that got promoted and was still riding a wave of momentum and playing a very specific brand of football that stopped being effective when one component was removed from it. It had got found out anyway, even if we hadn’t lost JOC. And the recruitment was dreadful.Not arguing with your basic point, it's your opinion, which is fine. However, can you really call 1 year in prem and avoiding the drop to be "stable success"? We avoided the drop first season back in PL.
Compare that with Sunderland’s recruitment. Technically excellent young athletes for the most part with loads of development ahead of them anchored by, in my view, the best signing of last summer in Granit Xhaka. The infrastructure they have put in place has set them up to sustain beyond the initial momentum and to continue to progress.
I am also going to say that they have an excellent manager with the tactical smarts to succeed in the PL. They were able to identify and recruit him. And when he eventually goes I believe the odds are that they will enjoy a smooth transition in the manner of Brentford and Bournemouth, but we will see.