WE'LL TAKE NEWCASTLE'S PLAN, NOT SUNDERLAND'S

Newcastle fans are always well aware of what's going on at Sunderland, and vice versa.

So it's been interesting to see two dramatically different transfer strategies unfold at the clubs this summer.

Newcastle is clearly going to spend the majority of its efforts looking for good value in the foreign market, particularly France. It wouldn't be at all shocking if Demba Ba is the only player with previous Premier League experience who's brought in (and he only has 12 PL appearances on his CV). United appears to be molding a skillful group full of athleticism for Alan Pardew to play with.

Sunderland, meanwhile, is taking the less risky route of buying predominantly English-based players. Ipswich's teenage striker Connor Wickham and Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner are apparently close to joining Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson and Coventry goalkeeper Keiren Westwood in Steve Bruce's squad. Sunderland's other targets? The Manchester United trio of Darron Gibson, Wes Brown and John O'Shea, Liverpool striker David N'Gog and, of course, Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia (who may or may not be wanted by Newcastle - it seems to change every day).

South Korean striker Ji Dong-Won could very well be the only foreign-based player Sunderland signs this summer. It's not that the players Bruce and Niall Quinn have brought in or are pursuing are bad, but they're all the sort who will fit into a traditional English sort of team. Solid, but nothing to really shout about. I like players that are dynamic and outside of N'Zogbia, none of those players mentioned are.

Now, this isn't meant to be a cheap shot at Newcastle's rivals. But I'll gladly take Yohan Cabaye and Sylvain Marveaux over Gardner and Larsson. So put me down for being on board with how United appears to be attacking this summer. The risk may be greater, but so is the potential reward.

Comments

[Jeff]

I'd take Larsson over Marveaux. He may not be as creative, but is productive, a free kick threat and hasn't suffered the niggling type injuries that Marveaux has. So all said and done, Marveaux MAY have been a better buy but I guess only time will tell. If he stays healthy I'll be happy.

[rob]

Too late Tom, this article is a bashing on the Mackem bastards transfer strategy. They are looking at mostly average premier league players who will never get them into the elite level of the league while united track the more flair and risky players to try and continue moving forward.