At this stage of the window it is always a bit suspect treating reports on transfers as gospel. We are getting to that stage where both buying and selling clubs are plying the art of brinkmanship. Selling clubs are hoping that potential purchasers may pay over the odds, whilst those in the market for certain players are hoping that their current clubs are desperate enough to accept cut price terms for those deemed surplus to requirements. There are some players who will only become available if the selling club manages to complete some signings of their own first. Then there are the players and their agents touting around for the best deal possible and playing one club against another. If you are to believe some reports Jonathan de Guzman doesn’t rate Dick Advocaat and so won’t be coming to Sunderland. Until a transfer is officially confirmed I take it all with a pinch of salt. But today Sunderland did complete their fifth signing of the summer (sixth if we include Coates). Pete Sixsmith runs the rule over our new attacker/midfielder signed on loan from Rennes which is also the club we bought a certain other striker from … …
A warm welcome to Ola Toivonen who signed for us today on loan from Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennes. In our time honoured tradition, we take a look at our new Swedish star.