magnus

True. Otherwise he probably would be playing as first choice centre back. I would still keep him though as he is the best we have when fit and he was part of that cracking side that saved us and got us promoted.

That's Stubbs biggest gamble. I know hindsight is cheating but it would have been way less risky to strengthen the Championship team that had such a great winning mentality. Keep G Mac, Eck, Reilly, Stewart, Hippo, spend the £75k or whatever bringing back Liam Smith add a David Templeton type to replace Lewis and get a midfielder in with a bit of dig. If that wasn't enough we could do a bit more in January. This rip it up, start all over and bring in players that are clearly miles below the quality required is a huge gamble that currently looks unlikely to succeed.

I thought he fitted right in.

Forever?

This.

Any more stats and you will have me believing we won today.

Yes all 3 have been signed up on 3 year contracts.

Nope. Set sail against Spartans and picked up speed today.

The thing for me is that even us dafties can spot a player when we see one. And that's not what we are seeing with the new signings. Add to the mix that Stubbs has told several good, signed up players they can go and it's the perfect recipe for a toxic dressing room.

No offense given bud. No-one doubts Jack the football manager. He will go far. Totally get that his departure leaves you feeling a bit like one does half an hour after a Chinese meal - a bit empty. Unlike Alex Ferguson, Jim Clunie, Rickie McFarlane and even wee Danny. Legends.

Too many tight shorts. We look fat and slow. That wee Sunderland winger moved at warp factor 9 compared to us. How do we get fit in a couple of weeks? If we could do that forget the footy we can make millions selling the diet!

I am afraid you are correct Gordon. We have a long season ahead and currently it looks pretty grim.

And Sammy was also out of position for most of his 45 minutes although in fairness I found myself longing for him in the second half.

I must admit I am glad it's over. Jack was the winner today and no one else. His wee wave to the Sunderland fans when they were chanting his name got right on my tits tbh.

Fast Striker, sitting midfielder, fast creative mid fielder, fast winger, a fast right back, a back up goalie and big Gary back in the starting 11.

I hope he did kick off and I hope Stubbs is big enough to apologise. The momentum, team spirit and fan connection to the team is already all hanging by a thread.

Spot on. Get MacKenzie, Liam Smith and Eck back on board, tighten up at the back and restore a bit of last season's team spirit if at all possible. The football on show is utterly dire and, Coulson apart, the new players are simply not good enough - including the new goalie. How can Stubbs seriously look at any of these guys and think they are better than the boys that he let go? I share your very bad feeling about this.

Smith looks very unhappy and out of sorts as does Mullen. I hesitate to say it but Paul McGinn is not the answer at right back. His distribution is awful. Both goalies today looked really poor.

Yip. Highlight of an embarrassing afternoon was big Jack going through the wee Sunderland boy and then scaring the shit out of him by squaring up. Other than that...........

The whole team are as slow as a herd of water bison.

I don't know how much the experimental guys cost in wages but given our limited resources, would it be less of a gamble to put all our cash into say 15 genuine first team players rather than a larger squad made up of prospects that are currently some way off the required standard?

Fantastic away support. Total respect.

Cracking, well written article. If the author is a typical Sunderland fan they come across as a very decent lot that appreciate the tradition, passion and humour that underpins football. I wish them well.

That would be good. My google tells me he was considered a better option than Liam Smith last season at right back as far as Hearts were concerned. Would love Liam back but if not to be this guy might be good competition for Paul McGinn.

In fairness 2 good signings and we are all happy with Alan Stubbs and he looks a good appointment. These player signings seem to hang by a thread until the ink is dry as players keep their options open for as long as possible. Must be frustrating as hell for him. I am staying hopeful.