The official Sunderland AFC thread - red & white army

[safcrhys]

Sunderland have Ferdinand bid accepted

Sunderland have had an offer believed to be in the region of £8 million accepted for West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand. West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has been ordered to cut the wage bill and while it is believed that he would like to keep Ferdinand, the West Ham board have intervened and ordered Curbishley to sell. The Hammers are short of defensive reinforcements following the injuries of Danny Gabbidon and Mathew Upson and others. The sale of Ferdinand will almost certainly force Curbishley back in the market for a defender.



Ferdinand is understood to be mulling over the Black Cats offer and is widely understanded to be willing to put pen to paper in the next few days. He could feature for Sunderland in the match against Nottingham Forest on wednesday providing he is fit, but it is likely that he will not have signed by then. If he does sign then he should definately feature against Manchester City at the Stadium of Light this week-end.

Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland Preview coming up.

[LwkguyPlayer]

yesss great signing squad is just getting stronger and stronger

[smeltzerinho]

this is quite old news i thought you were gonna say he's officially signed

[crizzy8599]

Good Win Lads, you guys played well, showed some fight, I wish we did, ohwell very important week in the window

[safcrhys]

Originally Posted by smeltzerinho

this is quite old news i thought you were gonna say he's officially signed

Smeltz, all the rumours about Ferdinand were quashed by Curbishley on Saturday because he said that he needed to keep his defenders, but now he has been forced to accept a bid because the club (West Ham) is struggling for cash.

[safcrhys]

Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland preview

Team News:

Nottingham Forest defender Kevin Wilson should return to the side for the Carling Cup second-round tie with Sunderland after recovering from a back spasm. Lewis McGugan (thigh) misses out again, as do long term absentee's Paul Anderson (thigh) and Joe Garner (knee).

Sunderland will be without striker Michael Chopra as he begins the first match of his three game suspension. However, Kieron Richardson should be fit despite coming off at the weekend against Spurs with a rib injury.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane told BBC radio Newcastle:

"We're going there to win and one of my big disappointments since I came to the club in the last couple of years have been our cup performances. We have to remember the likes of Wigan last year, Preston the year before and obviously Bury when Niall was manager."

[Scuba Steve]

UEFA cup spot this year maybe? Or is it just a little too soon?

Whatever the case, Keane has been a brilliant manager so far. Personally, I hope he stays at the club for a while and brings some trophies to the team, rather than bolt for that other side if it opens up in a couple of years.

[safcrhys]

Originally Posted by hokiegooner

UEFA cup spot this year maybe? Or is it just a little too soon?

Whatever the case, Keane has been a brilliant manager so far. Personally, I hope he stays at the club for a while and brings some trophies to the team, rather than bolt for that other side if it opens up in a couple of years.

I don't think that a UEFA Cup spot is a target for this year, especially if you see the teams that we have got to compete with such as the Villa's, Evertons etc...

I think the target for this year is a top 12 finish, and when you look at the players that we have at our disposal now (and we are still not finished strengthening) then I think that we have a good chance of a top 12 finish. Consistency is the word, and judging by our performances in the first 2 games the team seemed to have gelled together extraorinarily quick, whether this is down to Keano I don't know but I am enjoying being a Sunderland fan at the minute, which is something I haven't said for many years.

[safcrhys]

I've got a feeling that something has happened regarding the Ferdinand deal, it was supposed to be completed by the end of yesterday and we are still waiting this afternoon for more news. Come on Keano get him in.

[safcrhys]

Sunderland sign Ferdinand

Sunderland have confirmed the signing of Anton Ferdinand on a 4 year contract believed to be in the region of £50,000 per week. The deal was UNDISCLOSED bit is believed to be in the region of £6-8 million. Roy Keane said:

"We needed to strengthen our defence and Anton is a great signing. He is still young but has over 160 games under is belt so he definately has experience, he's learning his trade.

"He'll bring quality and competition for places which is what we want, hopefully we can take him to another level at Sunderland. He has come through the ranks at West Ham and maybe just needs a change."

Ferdinand added:

"It was hard leaving West Ham because I have been there for 16 years but after meeting with Roy Keane I knew that it was time for a change.

"This is a great challenge for me and I feel that it is an exciting time to be at Sunderland, I think the change will so me good."

What do you think about the signing of Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland?

[JoseJunior]

all signings are good for sunderland. theyre looking quite strong
now they just need to sell Rade Prica to FC København

[The Stig]

Hammers shouldn't have sold him.

[SuperRich]

I know, he's a good player but it was Ferdinand that really forced them into the sale with his high wage demands (apparently). Been listening to the legends tonight (north east radio phone-in programme for anyone outside the area) and they joked that at least he's used to picking the ball out the net so he won't need to adapt much.

On a more serious note, very impressed with Keanes signings thus far.

[smeltzerinho]

Personally I don't think he's worth 8 million but a decent buy nonetheless, better than what we have, defensive wise, anyway, which aint saying much

9 players he's signed now :O good solid purchases in anyone's book especially Cisse (and he's said he wants to make it a permanant deal) everything's starting to look up

[LwkguyPlayer]

wat was the score tonite last time i seen it it was 2-1 second half xtr time but my stream stuffed up

[smeltzerinho]

that's the way it finished

[HenryTribute]

Originally Posted by smeltzerinho

this is quite old news i thought you were gonna say he's officially signed

Well guys, it's official now. Anton Ferdinand has agreed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light to become manager Roy Keane's ninth signing.

Keane told the club website: "We needed to strengthen our defence and Anton is a great signing. He still young but has over 160 games under his belt so he has experience, he's at a good age.

"He will bring quality and competition for places which is what we want. Hopefully we can take him to another level. He has come through the ranks at West Ham and maybe just needs a change."

Ferdinand said: "It was hard leaving West Ham because I have been there for 16 years but after meeting Roy Keane I knew it was time for a change.

"This is a great challenge for me and I feel it is an exciting time at Sunderland. I think the move will do me good and bring the best out of me. I can't wait to get going."

Keane has hinted that Ferdinand may not be his last capture before the close of the transfer window on Monday 1st September.

He added: "I have one more player in mind and then that is the end of it for a few months at least."

[smeltzerinho]

way to repeat what someone else's basically quoted a day ago

[safcrhys]

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Sunderland match report

Sunderland survived a major scare before progressing through to the third round of the Carling Cup after a 2-1 win aet. Striker Robert Earnshaw put Forest ahead after scoring a wonderful free-kick that curled over the wall and into the top corner on 60 minutes.

Sunderland were heading out until El Hadji Diouf's low cross shot was turned home by LB Phil Bardsley after 86 minutes. This proved just enough for Sunderland to take the game into extra time. Indeed, the Premier League team started off the game as favourites but were made to look extremely average by an impressive Forest side who refused to be overawed by the daunting task of facing off against the quality visitors. Steed Malbranque went off injured for Sunderland inside the 10 minute mark and he was replaced by midfielder Liam Miller who's clever passing proved a problem for Forest all night. Sunderland were under the cosh for most of the first half and Djibril Cissé came close to opening the scoring when he fired a shot off the post from 20 yards. Dean Whitehead and Danny Collins also went close before the interval.

After the break however it was Forest who came out with all guns blazing and after constant pressure Earnshaw curled a perfect free-kick over the wall and Craig Gordon could only watch as the ball went into the top corner of the net. Sunderland finally woke up after conceding and we started to see Pascal Chimboda bombing up the wing like he used to do for Spurs, but it was Andy Reid who looked like making something happen. He missed a good chance on the 70 minute mark when he fired into the side netting. Sunderland though kept up the pressure and after a fine save by Forest stopper Smith from Liam Miller the ball fell to Diouf who fired the ball into the box for Bardsely to tap home from 2 yards.

The game was taken to extra time but it only took Sunderland 3 minutes to take the league for the first time, good work from Grant Leadbitter saw David Healy grab a goal on his debt for Sunderland after getting on the end of a rebound after a great save again from the Forest keeper Smith. Sunderland remained comfortable up until 4 minutes from the end when Forest hit the crossbar, it riled Sunderland up and they comfortably watched the game out. The players were extremely tired and this was only proved as Sunderland played the last few minutes with 10 men as Djibril Cissé tightened up with cramp. The Premier League side held on though and will be relieved to progress to the next round. Roy Keane merely replied : "I would have been furious if we lost", thankfully for the Sunderland players they didn't.

Man of the match:

Andy Reid

Attendance:

9,198

Referee:

Iain Williamson (Berkshire)

[safcrhys]

Sunderland vs Man City - Game three

The signing of Anton Ferdinand can only help competition for places in our defence. He is a quality CB and that has something that we have lacked over the last few years. Anyway, Nyron and Danny Collins have generally done nothing wrong in the last few games (Forest apart, where they were abit shakey) and so it makes sense for Keano to keep things as they are for now. Although I still think that we need a LB as we do not have a naturally left-footed defender in our squad.

Sunderland team news:

Sunderland's Steed Malbranque is out with an ankle injury and new signing Anton Ferdinand is not match fit. Michael Chopra begins his second game of a three-match suspension while Teemu Tainio is still sidelined through a calf injury. Midfielder Kieron Richardson faces a late fitness check on a rib injury that he picked up in the game against Spurs last week.

Sunderland expected line-up:

Gordon

Chimbonda....Nosworthy....Collins....Bardsley

Diouf....Malbranque....Reid....Murphy

Cissé....Healy

Man City team news:

Manchester City can recall Vincent Kompany to the heart of defence after he was inelegible for the European tie midweek. Benjani and Kevin Etuhu did not travel to Denmark, while Valeri Bojinov and Darius Vassell remain long term absentees.

Man City expected line-up:

Hart

Richards....Ben Haim....Dunne....Ball

Corluka....Ireland....Johnson....Elano

Sturridge....Jo

All time head to head:

Sunderland 43 wins, Man City 52 wins, 19 draws

Last seasons corresponding game:

Sunderland 1-2 Man City
(Whitehead 82 - Elano pen 79, Vassell 86)

Referee:

Chris Foy (St Helens, Merseyside)

[LwkguyPlayer]

**** u SWP

Dissapoited with today

[smeltzerinho]

i'm just gonna pretend that ever happened

[Lishman]

just as well i missed this match

did we play well?

[sammeboy]

Originally Posted by smeltzerinho

i'm just gonna pretend that ever happened

I'm not

You outplayed us in the first 20 minutes or so, but we dominated from then.

[safcrhys]

Sunderland 0-3 Manchester City match report

Shaun Wright-Phillips scored a second half brace on his Manchester City return as Mark Hughes' side cruised to victory over a very poor Sunderland side. City took the lead through Stephen Ireland who only had to sidefoot the ball home after Danny Collins deflected Michael Johnson's cross into his path.

Wright-Phillips then pounced at the back post to make it 2-0 tapping home the impressive Jo's cross-cum shot in from close range. He then flicked Michael Ball's long ball past a hapless Craig Gordon to make it 3-0. Sunderland were well beaten, but started the game brightly when Grant Leadbitter's effort curled around the post.

Pascal Chimbonda saw his cross deflected against the Manchester City crossbar but it did not take the visitors long to make thir mark on the game. After a quiet start, City striker Jo suddenly burst into life, out-muscling Nyron Nosworthy out wide to set up Vincent Kompany who saw his shot blocked by Andy Reid. Jo then seen his shot blocked by Danny Collins, and Kieron Richardson then watched helplessly as his attempted clearance from the resulting corner almost landed in his own net. Richardson came close to opening the scoring for Sunderland when he latched onto a poor defensive backpass, but his second touch was heavy and after finding himself one-on-one with Joe Hart, watched as the ball roled out of play. Sunderland forward El Hadji Diouf also went close but it was City who took the lead in first-half stoppage time.

Johnson found space out wide, and his deflected cross landed invitingly for Ireland who had the easiest job of the day in side-footing the ball into an empty net. While the first half was even, the second-half was one way traffic. Wright-Phillips, who only made his return to Manchester City on thursday, bossed the game and ended up with two good goals to kick-off his season. The first came when Jo's cross-shot found him unmarked from 4 yards out and it was again an easy tap-in for a City player. The third came when Ball launched a hopeful pass up to Wright-Phillips and he out-paced Bardsley to lift the ball superbly over Craig Gordon.

It killed the game off with the remaining 30 minutes notable only for the amount of people that had left the stadium, by the 80th minute the Stadium of Light was three-quarters of the way empty.

Sunderland now lie in the relegation zone while Manchester City rise up into a Champions League spot. For now at least.

Roy Keane admitted that he was thouroughly disappointed with the performance and stated that he would be glad to see the back of his players for a week at least.

Man of the match:

Shaun Wright-Phillips

Attendance:

39,622

Referee:

Chris Foy