Captured from Wolves: Steven Fletcher, a hero in the making

After weeks of suspense, Sunderland AFC finally confirmed the signing today of the Wolves striker Steven Fletcher.

It is such a welcome announcement that we will even spare SAFC our customary criticism of the absurdity of seeing all kinds of figures bandied about before coyly saying we paid “an undisclosed fee”. But we will remind all concerned to bite their lips before rebuking anyone who speculates wrongly at £10m, £12m, £14m or, for that matter, below or above.

Go back to this piece by own own Goldy – at https://safc.blog/2012/08/goldys-logic-wolves-and-the-fletcher-saga-greed-or-hard-bargaining/ – to see why Fletcher could so easily become a great goalscoring hero on Sunderland.

This is how SAFC put it, a little while after Martin O’Neill said only paperwork formalities remained to be completed AND ALSO that the club was in talks with Adam Johnson …

Jake hopes the news can only get better and better

The 25-year-old has signed a four-year deal on Wearside and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s home opener against Reading.

He becomes Martin O’Neill’s third signing of the summer following the acquisitions of Carlos Cuellar and Louis Saha.

O’Neill told safc.com: ‘It has been no secret that we needed to strengthen our attacking options and Steven has a proven track record of scoring goals.

He is young and constantly improving and he will be a very welcome addition to the squad. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring him to Sunderland.’

Salut! Sunderland on tour: Steve Bruce, Martin O’Neill and how today’s events show us learning the lessons of the Darren Bent debacle. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/sunderland?cc=5739

The Scottish international began his career with Hibernian, scoring 52 goals in 189 appearances. He joined Burnley – then newly-promoted to the Barclays Premier League – in June 2009, notching eight goals in his only season at Turf Moor.

Fletcher’s displays in the top flight earned him a move to Wolves, where he truly established himself as a deadly marksman at the highest level. He scored 12 goals in each of the last two campaigns, leading the Molineux club’s goalscoring charts each time – a total of 24 goals in just 45 starts and a further 23 substitute appearances.



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Ha’way the Lads and thanks to the club for a great morale-lifter on the eve of the opening home game.

Monsieur Salut, by Matt

15 thoughts on “Captured from Wolves: Steven Fletcher, a hero in the making”

  1. If we end paying the full fee ?whatever that is!)then you have to see he’s worth it. I think some bloke called Pete said this on Radio Newcastle. Under-rated player Fletch, good signing. Happy days are ahead.

  2. Premier Division sides need two decent players in each position, so Larsson is certainly not surplus to requirements [ should Johnson sign ] The squad is looking stronger than it has in many years, and there is a good mixture of youth and experience. I think Cuellar and Saha are great additions on free’s, and Fletcher may surprise a few people – a great replacement for Gyan.

  3. Fletcher in ,Johnson on his way. Now all we need is a left fullback. Strinic or Olsson or Warnock? I’ d prefer Strinic.

  4. Nicklas Bendtner didn’t have much ability or desire to run either until MON convinced him otherwise, so I don’t worry too much about Johnson in that area. I think he could be a valuable supplement to Larsson and McClean. It doesn’t have to be either/or; I think there’s room for all three in the squad. I like the strength it would give us.

  5. Great news about Fletch. The hairs on the back of my neck are not standing up over Johnson though. Is it just me thats not overly excited about him? True, he can torment back fours and may have to be doubled up on, but his inclusion means the absence of Larsson who scored a lot for us last season and is our deadballist. He can play on both wings, but does that mean McClean out? I don’t know if JOhnson has the ability or desire to run himself into the ground like McClean and Larsson do. Am I wrong?

    • I may attract a lot of thumbs down for this but my worry about McClean when I first saw him was that he was limited and opposition coaches would soon figure him out. I have been delighted as he proved me wrong last season, but I have my doubts that he will continue to be a potent threat as he becomes more familiar.

      If Johnson signs (and the rumours are strong that he will) he’ll be a different type of player. MON is astute enough to use McClean, Johnson and Larsson in ways that will unsettle defences. Johnson signing may also allow Elmo to leave. I know who I’d rather have in the starting line up.

  6. It’s like waiting for Christmas when you’re a kid, Jeremy. Santa’s never gonna come… and then he does.
    Call me a cockeyed optimist (or worse) but, while I understand that feeling of Tom’s, I still think Sess will stay.

  7. I share the general euphoria at the Fletcher signing and the prospect of Johnson joining in quick succession…….but why do I have this feeling that we will also soon be saying au revoir to Sessegnon? If he stays, all wildest dreams will come true and the SoL will be thumping this season!

    Here’s hoping.

  8. MoN is now looking as though he is building the team he wants, and not the team that Doubtfire left him. If Johnson does sign, that would be a great acquistion, Bill. Can anyone remember when we signed a current English international permanently? It’s taken some time but it does seem to be slotting into place now. Great news and delight as well as relief after a quiet simmer on the transfer front. 🙂

    • its been worth the wait Jeremy, you have to say he wanted these 2 more than anyone and he got them! If transfer windows end like this it’ll be worth a couple of months falling into a coma-like state.

  9. Good signing boys. As a Wolves fan, would love to have kept him, but he deserves to play in the Prem, so good luck to him and you.

    • I just can’t believe we have signed Adam Johnson. Never thought a player of his calibre and potential would entertain a move to Sunderland. I texted** my son immediately and interrupted his night out at the flicks. Spoilt his film but made his day. **When I say I texted what I really mean is my missus did it for me. I wouldn’t know where to start. Happy days start here.

  10. I’m over the moon with that even if we have paid to much however I think sunderlands greatest coup now would to hold on to sessengon !

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