Post by broon on Jul 17, 2014 19:46:50 GMT
just fer a hoot I went onto the unwashed web site to see what the reaction was to all the business we've doon in the transfer window, here goes:
To cite the great Andy Townsend, we're definitely in and around the business area of the transfer window. In case you missed it, up to now we've made three signings. All of which were free transfers. More disconcerting to some is the players that have left, because they've been sold, released or their loan spell has ended, have yet to be appropriately replaced.
Now I can understand some of the concern. The last thing anyone wants is another relegation battle. But, I still don't think we should be too concerned as of yet.
There are certain things in life that occur and as a result exacerbate the smallest of issues. In football, the things that your rivals do are certainly something that can create a bit of hysteria. Newcastle (proper obsessed, me) are buying players at the moment and we aren't. It's difficult to read a Twitter or Facebook time line without having this rammed in your face. As another '5 Reasons Why Siem De Jong's Toenails Will Shock The Premier League' type article floated down the page, it got me thinking.
There have been some great rivalries committed to paper and screen over the years. Without each other, those in competition would be almost obsolete. They spur each other on to better one another but with a reasonably well hidden mutual respect.
An appropriate simile for this situation is reflected in one of the great rivalries of the 21st century – Homer Simpson and Ned Flanders. In 'Call of the Simpsons', Ned buys a really bling RV. Homer, jealous, rushes out to get one for himself. He can only afford a clapped out banger, and the family end up stranded in the wilderness. Homer ends up covered in mud and moss, eating bee laden honey and being mistaken for big foot.
Now that last bit might sound like a pre-season session under Paolo Di Canio. But the point stands - just because your neighbour has some fancy new thing, it doesn't mean you have to run out and get one too.
The most active team in the transfer window up to now is Aston Villa with five signings. They include Philippe Senderos, Joe Cole and two free agents from Southampton. Sunderland's business up to now has been relatively normal in comparison to everyone else in the league. What Newcastle do in the market at the moment, or anyone else for that matter, is generally irrelevant.
The Sunderland and Newcastle transfer narratives run conveniently alongside each other at the moment. It makes it easy to fill pages in print, online and on Twitter - '# doing great business. Eerily quiet over at #SAFC though. May be a bit of a worry'. Bang. Retweets. Hits. Panic. Meltdown. Moist mattresses.
It is hard to remain level headed at times when you're pumped full of information, or misinformation, by media sources at every angle. The anxiety builds. The transfer window is almost a reality TV show in itself. Not as good as The Simpsons mind. I sometimes wonder whether it's the thrill of the chase and capture that some get addicted to, rather than the actual deal itself. Like someone who is addicted to mail order shopping channels, the thrill of the overpriced, shiny new item arriving in your letterbox. Just sign someone. Anyone.
Relax. That's the general gist. Don't worry about the yellow ticker on Sky Sports News, or what other teams are doing. There's plenty of time, and I'm sure Congerton and Poyet are working hard on bringing the right targets to the club. See where we are in a fortnight or three weeks - then panic/get excited. The last thing we want is to be naked in a forest eating bees, right?
To cite the great Andy Townsend, we're definitely in and around the business area of the transfer window. In case you missed it, up to now we've made three signings. All of which were free transfers. More disconcerting to some is the players that have left, because they've been sold, released or their loan spell has ended, have yet to be appropriately replaced.
Now I can understand some of the concern. The last thing anyone wants is another relegation battle. But, I still don't think we should be too concerned as of yet.
There are certain things in life that occur and as a result exacerbate the smallest of issues. In football, the things that your rivals do are certainly something that can create a bit of hysteria. Newcastle (proper obsessed, me) are buying players at the moment and we aren't. It's difficult to read a Twitter or Facebook time line without having this rammed in your face. As another '5 Reasons Why Siem De Jong's Toenails Will Shock The Premier League' type article floated down the page, it got me thinking.
There have been some great rivalries committed to paper and screen over the years. Without each other, those in competition would be almost obsolete. They spur each other on to better one another but with a reasonably well hidden mutual respect.
An appropriate simile for this situation is reflected in one of the great rivalries of the 21st century – Homer Simpson and Ned Flanders. In 'Call of the Simpsons', Ned buys a really bling RV. Homer, jealous, rushes out to get one for himself. He can only afford a clapped out banger, and the family end up stranded in the wilderness. Homer ends up covered in mud and moss, eating bee laden honey and being mistaken for big foot.
Now that last bit might sound like a pre-season session under Paolo Di Canio. But the point stands - just because your neighbour has some fancy new thing, it doesn't mean you have to run out and get one too.
The most active team in the transfer window up to now is Aston Villa with five signings. They include Philippe Senderos, Joe Cole and two free agents from Southampton. Sunderland's business up to now has been relatively normal in comparison to everyone else in the league. What Newcastle do in the market at the moment, or anyone else for that matter, is generally irrelevant.
The Sunderland and Newcastle transfer narratives run conveniently alongside each other at the moment. It makes it easy to fill pages in print, online and on Twitter - '# doing great business. Eerily quiet over at #SAFC though. May be a bit of a worry'. Bang. Retweets. Hits. Panic. Meltdown. Moist mattresses.
It is hard to remain level headed at times when you're pumped full of information, or misinformation, by media sources at every angle. The anxiety builds. The transfer window is almost a reality TV show in itself. Not as good as The Simpsons mind. I sometimes wonder whether it's the thrill of the chase and capture that some get addicted to, rather than the actual deal itself. Like someone who is addicted to mail order shopping channels, the thrill of the overpriced, shiny new item arriving in your letterbox. Just sign someone. Anyone.
Relax. That's the general gist. Don't worry about the yellow ticker on Sky Sports News, or what other teams are doing. There's plenty of time, and I'm sure Congerton and Poyet are working hard on bringing the right targets to the club. See where we are in a fortnight or three weeks - then panic/get excited. The last thing we want is to be naked in a forest eating bees, right?