He’s gone (or he will be at the end of next month). All those magical performances, those games where you couldn’t believe we had signed a player of that quality, but the relationship is over. The CM tattoo was too much I guess but it’s not every year that we’ve got to see players like Callum McFadzean play for Sunderland.
And, to be serious, when you look at players like McFadzean, we have to marvel at the fact we got anywhere near the top six. A lack of scouting, a lack of a plan and a sudden urgent need for a full back when Hume was injured saw him sign and, as he leaves, Vokins goes back to Southampton and Hume is out of contract and we potentially return to not having a left back in the club. Hume is, I suspect, likely to stay as his injuries have prevented him impressing suitors over recent times but as it stands, it’s a blank piece of paper. We can never again let the club be run as it has been in recent times.
Hopefully this summer will see a plan from Speakman. A squad built. Not 23 players. Not a few big names with others stuck around them. A squad. A squad finally good enough to get us out of this division.
Another area we suddenly look short on numbers is central midfield. Although Dobson is still in contract he is expected to leave and, with club legend Grant Leadbitter, Josh Scowen and Max Power all leaving, we’re down to younger players like Elliot Embleton (who is about to win the play offs), Neil and Winchester. Lots will rightly be said about Leadbitter and, if there’s a role for him in the club, I don’t think anyone would be disappointed to see him take his career forwards here.
We also lose two captains in that list. Max Power has spent three difficult years at the club and, while I don’t think we’ll see any statues of him in the near future, I think it would be wrong to remember him for a shot taken in a play-off game. He gave 100% in every game, sometimes in his first season this saw him pick up cards, in his final season it showed him lift a trophy for the club and in between times it saw him play in positions he clearly wasn’t happy with, but he never seemed to whinge about it. He got on with it and gave everything. In my opinion, we’ve not seen that from many players over the last few years and I hope, when he returns with another club, he will be respected.
Chris Maguire will be remembered for some incredible games. The phrase ‘big game player’ is often said as a compliment. With Maguire, I suspect it was his downfall. In his first season, fans couldn’t work out how a player of that talent was playing in League One, but his attitude for large parts of the three years tells you everything. If an entire squad is to be built this summer, the cost of that will mean there can be no players who are there to contribute as and when they fancy, luxury players who offer magic 10% of the time. So, for me, Maguire’s departure is entirely understandable. A shame, of course, but understandable.
The other players we’re told will be offered contracts are O’Nien and McGeady. While McGeady’s attitude has been questioned over the years he continues to be an incredible talent at this level and, more importantly, has a consistency which Maguire lacks, although at 35 you have to ask how many game will he play next season?
I think the player we should built the team around is Luke O’Nien. But that phrase would suggest he only has one position. Better to say that I see him as the heart of whatever we do. I think his commitment, his relationship with the fans, his flexibility and, importantly, the fact I think he could play in the Championship makes him a player we have to sign on a long term contract. He will form part of the spine of the team, hopefully with a new keeper, new strikers and strengthening of the midfield and defence. There’s a lot of work to be done, but hopefully O’Nien will be the first business of the summer and, without Leadbitter and Power, I think he’s the obvious candidate for the arm band.
So, season over, let’s look forward. Over to you, Kyril, Lee and Kristjaan. I’ve picked the player who will lift the trophy, now sign him up and a squad to get us there.
RELEASED
Callum McFadzean, Chris Maguire, Conor McLaughlin, Grant Leadbitter, Max Power, Josh Scowen and Remi Matthews.
RETAINED:
Aiden O’Brien, Anthony Patterson, Arbenit Xhemajli, Bailey Wright, Benjamin Kimpioka, Carl Winchester, Dan Neil, Elliot Embleton, George Dobson, Jack Diamond, Jordan Willis, Josh Hawkes, Lee Burge, Lynden Gooch, Oliver Younger, Ross Stewart, Tom Flanagan, Will Grigg
LOANS GONE BACK
Dion Sanderson, Jake Vokins and Jordan Jones have also returned to their parent clubs.
