| Unsure of Dan Neil signing 14:55 - Jan 26 with 4539 views | Martus |
I'm just unsure where he fits in? We are well stocked with CM's - Cajuste, Taylor, Nunez can all play alongside Matusiwa. I don't see him as a Matusiwa replacement - so, if he does arrive, are we too stocked on CM's? I like the settled side we have and don't see another CM as the priority.
I wouldn't say I'm convinced with Nunez as a CAM - sure he has the assists, but would prefer him as a partner to Matusiwa. And would love to see Cajuste more - but feel he is too laid back for the ferocity of the Championship. And I love Taylor's fight and guile aswell - defo not good enough for Prem - but has earned his spot in the side.
So I just dont see the need for Dan Neil - where does he fit in? |  |
| "Bobby conquered Europe!!! And we won the FA cuuuuup!" |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 14:58 - Jan 26 with 3426 views | FrimleyBlue |
In place of Taylor who should have been sold last summer of 2025. Nice guy, Mid champ midfielder, could be sold for a fair bit of money, but not one to rely on weekly for top level performances. |  |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 14:59 - Jan 26 with 3420 views | LeoMuff |
Along side Matusiwa as Cajuste and Taylor are not good enough if we want automatic promotion. Also if when/if Matusiwa is suspended or injured who covers ? Cajuste hasn’t got the legs, Taylor not got the creativity. Nunez is doing too well at 10. |  |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:00 - Jan 26 with 3403 views | pingu67 |
Yet when Matusiwa missed a game we noticed how lacking we were in the midfield from a defensive perspective
Neil will partner Matusiwa in the double pivot, nunez will continue in the 10 competing with Mehmeti
Taylor has been excellent but Neil is an upgrade
Cajuste is good in small periods of the game |  | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:00 - Jan 26 with 3398 views | JakeITFC |
I think he plays deep enough that he's possibly both cover for and a partner for Matusiwa, but plays the role with more of a ball playing focus rather than just being a pure defensive mid. I would argue we have nobody with those attributes - Nunez probably the closest but he's employed further forward (and is also quite erratic with his touch and short passing at times). |  | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:00 - Jan 26 with 3381 views | J2BLUE |
I expect him to start most games alongside Matusiwa |  |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:01 - Jan 26 with 3364 views | Pinewoodblue |
Forward planning, with next season in mind. Players at end of contract are a lot cheaper. |  |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:02 - Jan 26 with 3362 views | bournemouthblue |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 14:58 - Jan 26 by FrimleyBlue |
In place of Taylor who should have been sold last summer of 2025. Nice guy, Mid champ midfielder, could be sold for a fair bit of money, but not one to rely on weekly for top level performances. |
Taylor has done better that everyone expects but did lose the battle on Saturday against what is one of the better central midfields we will face this season
I think most of us have wanted an extra centre midfielder for a while, McKenna will continue to rotate
We can probably get away with Cajuste and Nunez dropping deeper at times but not for a significant run of games
Much like Mehmeti, it seems like a smart Championship move |  |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:02 - Jan 26 with 3344 views | chicoazul |
Unless he needs work after not playing for months he will go straight into the team alongside Azor. He’s a fantastic signing and exactly what we need; hardened experienced CM with a promotion and captaincy under his belt. |  |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:02 - Jan 26 with 3354 views | PioneerBlue |
There is no stand out cover for Matusiwa and we cant slog him until end of season nor necessarily expect he gets off his booking suspension; he surely needs rotating. Then we have the 8 position which really is only being part covered by Taylor and Cajuste.
Absolutely need that type of players to feel comfortable with the team quality in the squad. | |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:03 - Jan 26 with 3345 views | tractorboy1978 |
Nunez is a 10 for us now.
Cajuste can barely play 60 minutes every other game.
Taylor has been doing a decent enough job but Neil is a big upgrade. | | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:05 - Jan 26 with 3286 views | _CliveBaker_ |
Good signing IMO. Him and Mehmeti are lovely pick ups right now, good ages, good experience and proven at this level. Ultimately if they can't force their way into getting regular starts then its a nice problem to have as it'll be testament to those keeping them out, but in time I think Mehmeti / Nunez are the #10 options and Neil comes in alongside Matusiwa but also with the potential to deputise for him which is looking like an inevitable scenario at some stage with the yellow card situation. Taylor has done well on balance, deserves a lot of credit, but someone of Neil's profile is a really good addition and no doubt they'll push each other on. Cajuste has quality, I'm just not sure there's enough fight in the dog. Maybe his role will be off the bench. |  | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:09 - Jan 26 with 3195 views | dirtyboy |
He can cover Matusiwa as a 6 in the double pivot, but is definitely one who can play the 8 too if needed alongside him.
I think we'll play him and Matusiwa to be honest. Feels like McKenna wants the Morsy and Luongo type qualities alongside each other. |  | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:16 - Jan 26 with 3030 views | Martus |
So he is deeper style midfielder? Would that mean we move on Taylor - is there room for all those CM's in the squad list? | |
| "Bobby conquered Europe!!! And we won the FA cuuuuup!" |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:18 - Jan 26 with 3003 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:16 - Jan 26 by Martus |
So he is deeper style midfielder? Would that mean we move on Taylor - is there room for all those CM's in the squad list? |
It's only really 4 if Nunez continues to operate in the 10 - Matusiwa, Neil, Taylor, Cajuste. That's not heavy when we're aiming for 2 for each position. | | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:19 - Jan 26 with 2982 views | Smoresy |
It's where we're least stocked tbh, how I sees it anyway. Cajuste can manage an hour at a push. Nunez is urgently needed further forward. I wasn't keen on Young trying to keep up with play when he was the injury fallback; now he's an injured fullback instead. There are other positions in which we're clearly light on quality, but CM for me is the only position in which we're seriously light on quantity.
From how Neil's been described, he'd become one of two defensive midfielders in the squad by trade. Given our preoccupation with 4-2-3-1 that feels long overdue. Worst case we have appropriate backup should Matusiwa be unavailable, when previously we were overrun. But we've been overrun at times this season with Matusiwa in the side, so best case they form a partnership and it never happens again. | | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:23 - Jan 26 with 2914 views | Jon_456 |
Not that I’ve been a regular viewer of Sunderland games over the years but when I have watched him, he’s looked quite similar to Hackney.
Will likely play the number 8 next to Azor. | | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:32 - Jan 26 with 2790 views | Smoresy |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:18 - Jan 26 by _CliveBaker_ |
It's only really 4 if Nunez continues to operate in the 10 - Matusiwa, Neil, Taylor, Cajuste. That's not heavy when we're aiming for 2 for each position. |
Your typical squad includes 5+ for a season I'd guess. | | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:36 - Jan 26 with 2732 views | Illinoisblue |
Taylor 1 goal 0 assists
Cajuste 1 goal 3 assists
Azor… don’t know because the official ITFC website has indepth stats for some players, but nothing for others. To call it a mediocre site would be generous.
If DN brings a goal threat hell be more than welcome. |  |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:38 - Jan 26 with 2685 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
This seasons version of Lewis Travis.
Makes sense on a loan basis. |  |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:39 - Jan 26 with 2675 views | billlm |
100% he fits in away from home where we're soft in the middle,
At home where we were more creative maybe not but we need cover and help and take a seasons toll of azor, nothing but a good signing,
I no exactly where and when he fits in, |  | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:41 - Jan 26 with 2649 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:38 - Jan 26 by Marshalls_Mullet |
This seasons version of Lewis Travis.
Makes sense on a loan basis. |
A lot better than Travis and will be straight into the starting line up every game. But I kind of know what you mean.
Two excellent signings so far I think. Oven ready, quality Championship players that improve us without breaking the bank. Fit and ready to go straight away. | | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:41 - Jan 26 with 2632 views | cressi |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:00 - Jan 26 by pingu67 |
Yet when Matusiwa missed a game we noticed how lacking we were in the midfield from a defensive perspective
Neil will partner Matusiwa in the double pivot, nunez will continue in the 10 competing with Mehmeti
Taylor has been excellent but Neil is an upgrade
Cajuste is good in small periods of the game |
One hundred percent correct | | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:51 - Jan 26 with 2523 views | Scuzzer |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:39 - Jan 26 by billlm |
100% he fits in away from home where we're soft in the middle,
At home where we were more creative maybe not but we need cover and help and take a seasons toll of azor, nothing but a good signing,
I no exactly where and when he fits in, |
For away games I would play three in midfield in any case. Ball retention on Saturday was woefully poor in the middle...even Matusiwa had a poor game. Playing a number ten away doesn't seem to work very well. |  |
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| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:59 - Jan 26 with 2427 views | billlm |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:51 - Jan 26 by Scuzzer |
For away games I would play three in midfield in any case. Ball retention on Saturday was woefully poor in the middle...even Matusiwa had a poor game. Playing a number ten away doesn't seem to work very well. |
A good point,
We need to be tough away from home, | | | |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 16:01 - Jan 26 with 2410 views | LeightonBuzzardBlue |
| Unsure of Dan Neil signing on 15:00 - Jan 26 by JakeITFC |
I think he plays deep enough that he's possibly both cover for and a partner for Matusiwa, but plays the role with more of a ball playing focus rather than just being a pure defensive mid. I would argue we have nobody with those attributes - Nunez probably the closest but he's employed further forward (and is also quite erratic with his touch and short passing at times). |
Nailed it. He's a bit closer to a Mass-type playstyle than either Taylor or Cajuste and will also be able to cover the Matusiwa role if needed |  | | |
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