Top flight players

[The Fox]

Without denigrating any of our players many of who are decent championship quality , I was wondering just how many of the current squad could play at Premier league level, either now or potentially.

I'm not necessarily suggesting the potential of the current side being promoted or what we'd have to buy etc , just as individuals who would cut it at the top level .

I really cant think of many .

Is that a problem? , not really as teams can be more than the sum of thier parts as we well know but the gap between the athletes in the top flight and good championship players seams to be widening .

 

[Ron_Justice]

 

[Pintor75]

Without denigrating any of our players many of who are decent championship quality , I was wondering just how many of the current squad could play at Premier league level, either now or potentially.

I'm not necessarily suggesting the potential of the current side being promoted or what we'd have to buy etc , just as individuals who would cut it at the top level .

I really cant think of many .

Is that a problem? , not really as teams can be more than the sum of thier parts as we well know but the gap between the athletes in the top flight and good championship players seams to be widening

I agree, with better coaching by a top level manager and staff would improve some of our lads, but they'd only be on a par with the top level or bottom level premiership players, look at the difference Bamford makes and he now one of the first you look for on the team list, yet in the premiership!

 

[Brian Deane]

Whilst our coaching and training methods are stuck in the 1980's then we are stuck.
Only hope is becoming a regular yo yo team like Norwich was and now Burnley seem to be that club.

 

[jt64]

Without denigrating any of our players many of who are decent championship quality , I was wondering just how many of the current squad could play at Premier league level, either now or potentially.

I'm not necessarily suggesting the potential of the current side being promoted or what we'd have to buy etc , just as individuals who would cut it at the top level .

I really cant think of many .

Is that a problem? , not really as teams can be more than the sum of thier parts as we well know but the gap between the athletes in the top flight and good championship players seams to be widening .

Well, yes, it is a fucking huge problem, and it will be for as long as we do not get a coherent recruitment strategy in place. We're never realistically going to buy players who are PL ready in the medium term. The only thing to do is to buy players who have the upside/potential to do so. This window, with nothing to play for in the rest of the season and the next season likely being one of consolidation, would have been the perfect time to do so, however certain people at the club whose contract only lasts for a bit more than a year are taking more of a short term view for obvious reasons, and unfortunately the people with the cheque book are listening

 

[The Fox]

Whilst our coaching and training methods are stuck in the 1980's then we are stuck.
Only hope is becoming a regular yo yo team like Norwich was and now Burnley seem to be that club.

That's maybe the case but it wasn't a pop at the coaching or style. Just the actual level of talent and athleticism at individual levels.
As i said not saying we dont have good players either.

Strikes me that despite some talented players coming through the academy, ( Blaster , Brookes , Femi , Peck) its very difficult to produce players of PL quality and rare to find the next Harry or Kyle .

Perhaps thats just how it is

 

[Godbeblade]

I think it was interesting that there were 2 sunderland players on the pitch yesterday (alan browne for boro and Hjelde for us).

It seems nowadays you need a squad to get you out of the championship and a different squad to keep you in the prem.

I don't know if off by heart but I don't recognise a lot of sunderland players this year from their line up last year...

 

[MayorOJC]

Without denigrating any of our players many of who are decent championship quality , I was wondering just how many of the current squad could play at Premier league level, either now or potentially.

I'm not necessarily suggesting the potential of the current side being promoted or what we'd have to buy etc , just as individuals who would cut it at the top level .

I really cant think of many .

Is that a problem? , not really as teams can be more than the sum of thier parts as we well know but the gap between the athletes in the top flight and good championship players seams to be widening .

In the right team - Hamer and Tanganga could be starters. In a couple of years, I imagine Seriki, Brooks and maybe Arblaster (if he gets back to his old self).


Although at one point, John Lundstram was a starter for a top 10 side in the prem, so who knows anymore.

 

[NAnstonblade]

In the right team - Hamer and Tanganga could be starters. In a couple of years, I imagine Seriki, Brooks and maybe Arblaster (if he gets back to his old self).


Although at one point, John Lundstram was a starter for a top 10 side in the prem, so who knows anymore.

It's difficult. I'd add Peck to the list of young players who might make it. How often, over the years have we seen 'the next big thing' just not get the breaks or get it right or whatever? Jordan Slew springs to mind. And there was a time when they were both still with us, when I thought Naughton was better than Walker. Fickle fortunes of football eh?

 

[MayorOJC]

In the right team - Hamer and Tanganga could be starters. In a couple of years, I imagine Seriki, Brooks and maybe Arblaster (if he gets back to his old self).


Although at one point, John Lundstram was a starter for a top 10 side in the prem, so who knows anymore.

...and after seeing this, I have to say Sam McCallum

 

[joe casey]

I think it was interesting that there were 2 sunderland players on the pitch yesterday (alan browne for boro and Hjelde for us).

It seems nowadays you need a squad to get you out of the championship and a different squad to keep you in the prem.

I don't know if off by heart but I don't recognise a lot of sunderland players this year from their line up last year...

They spent a fortune in comparison to what we have done up there in recent seasons - crucially for them most look to have been worth it. Though I did notice Adingra went out on loan last month. Sadly I think this is the only way to try and compete these days.

 

[MayorOJC]

They spent a fortune in comparison to what we have done up there in recent seasons - crucially for them most look to have been worth it. Though I did notice Adingra went out on loan last month. Sadly I think this is the only way to try and compete these days.

They were smart enough to raid the French, Belgian and Dutch leagues instead of the Championship

 

[The Fox]

Although at one point, John Lundstram was a starter for a top 10 side in the prem, so who knows anymore.

I don't suppose many of us saw Simon Francis going on to have the career he had so you have a point .

 

[Brian Deane]

They spent a fortune in comparison to what we have done up there in recent seasons - crucially for them most look to have been worth it. Though I did notice Adingra went out on loan last month. Sadly I think this is the only way to try and compete these days.

Brexit Blades innit.
Wilder probably thinks both Bamford and Phillips are forrin

 

[SW12 to S12 to S18]

We're just not athletic/strong enough to compete at that level. Midfield last night was so weak, we were out run by stronger, faster players and we just couldn't tackle with any force to disposses them. It was a bit like the Premiership all over again.
Yet, the first 15 minutes we could have had two goals and we were the better side second half when we made changes but we're really not physically strong enough for promotion any time soon.

 

[joe casey]

They were smart enough to raid the French, Belgian and Dutch leagues instead of the Championship

Absolutely - but I think the point still stands that the money spent is pretty big (if not by prem standards) compared to what we've done when we've gone up

 

[bibbity bobbity boo]

Give it a couple of years and we could be seeing Ryan One either in the EPL or the Bundeslige.

 

[Godbeblade]

They spent a fortune in comparison to what we have done up there in recent seasons - crucially for them most look to have been worth it. Though I did notice Adingra went out on loan last month. Sadly I think this is the only way to try and compete these days.

It certainly feels like they didn't use AI to recruit their lads

 

[Badger Blade]

Going down the list:
Tanganga
McCallum (maybe)
Arblaster (if he gets back fit)
Hamer
Brooks
Phillips
Seriki
Peck
Riedewald
Bamford

So yeah, a few reinforcements needed.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

Absolutely - but I think the point still stands that the money spent is pretty big (if not by prem standards) compared to what we've done when we've gone up

True, but had we been given say £200m to spend in the Summer of 2023 would we actually end up signing quality players from foreign leagues. I for one would be doubtful.

 

[Blade In Flame]

Without denigrating myself, who I think is a decent bit of thinking woman's crumpet for his age, I was wondering just how many fit, young models and actresses would shag me, either now or potentially.

Come on, it's about as likely a pie in the sky surmising as the Blades playing in the top flight any time soon.

 

[The Fox]

Without denigrating myself, who I think is a decent bit of thinking woman's crumpet for his age, I was wondering just how many fit, young models and actresses would shag me, either now or potentially.

Come on, it's about as likely a pie in the sky surmising as the Blades playing in the top flight any time soon.

Yep thread went in its own direction as they tend to.

The question is if any individuals have the qualities to play in the top flight , not necessarily with ourselves.

 

[utd4ever]

They spent a fortune in comparison to what we have done up there in recent seasons - crucially for them most look to have been worth it. Though I did notice Adingra went out on loan last month. Sadly I think this is the only way to try and compete these days.

They cast a net of Europe and the world. Xhaka being a great one.
Unfortunately we looked for up Uk players which in many cases cost more and in Brewster style was a complete waste of money.

 

[ATL Recs]

It certainly feels like they didn't use AI to recruit their lads

They 100% will have but not in the format or in anyway how we used it

 

[Rodley]

Absolutely - but I think the point still stands that the money spent is pretty big (if not by prem standards) compared to what we've done when we've gone up

And they had the recruitment system and infrastructure to find players in those leagues along with the facilities (training etc) to attract them. Most importantly they spent the necessary money on wages and transfer fees.

 

[Sithblade]

Going down the list:
Tanganga
McCallum (maybe)
Arblaster (if he gets back fit)
Hamer
Brooks
Phillips
Seriki
Peck
Riedewald
Bamford

So yeah, a few reinforcements needed.

Individually they all might be a decent squad player for a Fulham, Brighton, Palace but collectively as a team they'd not stand much chance.

 

[CornwallBlade]

Going down the list:
Tanganga
McCallum (maybe)
Arblaster (if he gets back fit)
Hamer
Brooks
Phillips
Seriki
Peck
Riedewald
Bamford

So yeah, a few reinforcements needed.

I seriously doubt that any of them would make the starting XI of any team other than a 1st season promoted Championship side - that’s the size of the gulf.

 

[The Fox]

I seriously doubt that any of them would make the starting XI of any team other than a 1st season promoted Championship side - that’s the size of the gulf.

I tend to agree .

I suppose the last one was Ndiye , when I watched and thought , hes too good for this level .

Perhaps Sereki , could make it at a higher level but its 50/50.

It'll be Intresting to see if Philips looks head and shoulders better than our players .

Perhaps its just a rare thing to discover .

 

[Keen Blade]

We're just not athletic/strong enough to compete at that level. Midfield last night was so weak, we were out run by stronger, faster players and we just couldn't tackle with any force to disposses them. It was a bit like the Premiership all over again.
Yet, the first 15 minutes we could have had two goals and we were the better side second half when we made changes but we're really not physically strong enough for promotion any time soon.

I agree with managers & coaches who've said you can coach a PL footballer from a natural athlete but you can't make a natural athlete out of a decent but unathletic footballer.
You only have to look at the size , strength & speed of PL footballers for evidence of that.

 

[Wright1889]

In the right team - Hamer and Tanganga could be starters. In a couple of years, I imagine Seriki, Brooks and maybe Arblaster (if he gets back to his old self).


Although at one point, John Lundstram was a starter for a top 10 side in the prem, so who knows anymore.

I don’t think Tanganga has been anywhere near as good as Harry S was last season for us.