On Trial - Stoppila Sunzu

[Ian Royal]

It's got nothing to do with that at all. I honestly mentioned, in passing, I'm not inspired by the signing, people attacked me for it, I explained why.

I'd be delighted for him to come off. I'm not even predicting whether he'll be a failure or not. I'm just saying some of the circumstances provoke concerns and it's not a signing that really excites me. I've not even tried to pretend that my feelings are even particularly rational. See point 5 on my list for example. I don't see a whole lot to suggest this is a brilliant signing and I'm rather surprised that so many seem to, but that's their prerogative.

[Big Ern]

I'm confused. If he does sign, he is not exactly the proven Premiership player Brian stated we needed?

Never seem him play and hopefully he will turn out to be great, but this is a big gamble from the club putting our ultra slim chances of survival In the hands of a player unproven at the top level and one who could be away for the next 5 weeks. Any remote chance of avoiding the drop will be gone by then without decent additions.

[Terminal Boardom]

Looks to me as if the work done thus far on bringing in new players is to be applauded. The new guy from Lisbon is a very impressive piece of work considering his background. I am certainly more inspired by this than when we signed the likes of Fae, Halford and Duberry. I guess some people will never be satisfied no matter who we sign. At least something positive is happening.

[winchester_royal]

'Greed.It looks very much to me like we have a long term plan which we are sticking to. I find this considerably more reassuring than if we were spunking away lots of money on premier league has-beens.

[Royal Bahamas]

'Greed.It looks very much to me like we have a long term plan which we are sticking to. I find this considerably more reassuring than if we were spunking away lots of money on premier league has-beens.

Agreed ^^^^^^ This

[Barry the bird boggler]

Looks to me as if the work done thus far on bringing in new players is to be applauded. The new guy from Lisbon is a very impressive piece of work considering his background. I am certainly more inspired by this than when we signed the likes of Fae, Halford and Duberry. I guess some people will never be satisfied no matter who we sign. At least something positive is happening.

Yes all we need now are some players who may actually be able to get a game before the end of the month....

[LoyalRoyal22]

It's got nothing to do with that at all. I honestly mentioned, in passing, I'm not inspired by the signing, people attacked me for it, I explained why.

I'd be delighted for him to come off. I'm not even predicting whether he'll be a failure or not. I'm just saying some of the circumstances provoke concerns and it's not a signing that really excites me. I've not even tried to pretend that my feelings are even particularly rational. See point 5 on my list for example. I don't see a whole lot to suggest this is a brilliant signing and I'm rather surprised that so many seem to, but that's their prerogative.

Are you for real??
You dont think a 600k purchase of Sporting Lisbons club captain who is 24 years of age is a good signing? I cant think of a signing that has ever been more promising. Worst case scenario he might not be amazing, but at the very least a player of his calibre and experience i would expect an improvement on the team, which is worth 600k


STOP

[Hoop Blah]

I can totally understand where IR is coming from on the first impressions of Carrico and Sunzu.

I've not seen a lot to be excited about considering what I think we need and what Carrico will be able to bring to the table. It seems his biggest assest is being the captain of a historically decent club in Portugal, but a side he can't get in this season (even if that is for contractual reasons), and the fact that some papers rumoured big club interests and silly price tags a few years ago.

Now I've no idea of the character of the players in the Sporting squad but considering how much stick our captains have had for the last few years I don't see that as a massive tick. I'd rather wait and judge him on his ability than get excited by more PR from a club who get excited about signing cab drivers from non-league.

[urz13]

I'm very excited about Carrico and not too concerned that he wasn't in the side - Roberts wasn't playing for Blackburn either when we signed him.

However I am with IR in that I don't understand the hype surrounding Sunzu - the only time any of us have really seen him play is one YouTube video which shows him winning a couple of headers. Let's be honest, no-one can remember him from the ACON last year so that is really all the evidence we've seen. In addition he plays for a club I've never even heard of and if Carrico is going to play CDM I can't see where Sunzu will fit into the side - £3m and 20k a week seems excessive for cover.

[JayRoyal]

Carrico has not only had experiencing captaining a top side, but captaining a top side in the Champions League also, amazing signing for the price we got him.



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Any videos of this Sunzu fella I should be taking a look at?

[Hoop Blah]

I'm very excited about Carrico and not too concerned that he wasn't in the side - Roberts wasn't playing for Blackburn either when we signed him.

Because he wasn't good enough for the Premier League? He dropped down a league to play. This is quite different, he's stepping up a level for starters.

Not that I think Carrico wasn't good enough for the standard he was playing, it certainly seems more to it than that.

[urz13]

I'm very excited about Carrico and not too concerned that he wasn't in the side - Roberts wasn't playing for Blackburn either when we signed him.

Because he wasn't good enough for the Premier League? He dropped down a league to play. This is quite different, he's stepping up a level for starters.

Not that I think Carrico wasn't good enough for the standard he was playing, it certainly seems more to it than that.

No, he wasn't playing due to his contract.

[Hoop Blah]

Apparently so yes.

If he was as good as some are making out because he was their captain and has played age group football for Portugal then perhaps he might've got the contract he was after or been used more whilst their side struggled.

I'm hopeful he's the classy player some say he must be but I just favour waiting to see what players are like and not getting carried away by the PR.

[Ian Royal]

It's got nothing to do with that at all. I honestly mentioned, in passing, I'm not inspired by the signing, people attacked me for it, I explained why.

I'd be delighted for him to come off. I'm not even predicting whether he'll be a failure or not. I'm just saying some of the circumstances provoke concerns and it's not a signing that really excites me. I've not even tried to pretend that my feelings are even particularly rational. See point 5 on my list for example. I don't see a whole lot to suggest this is a brilliant signing and I'm rather surprised that so many seem to, but that's their prerogative.

Are you for real??
You dont think a 600k purchase of Sporting Lisbons club captain who is 24 years of age is a good signing? I cant think of a signing that has ever been more promising. Worst case scenario he might not be amazing, but at the very least a player of his calibre and experience i would expect an improvement on the team, which is worth 600k


STOP

No, I said I find plenty of causes for concern - jsut as there are plenty of reasons to think he would be great and I don't find the signing particularly inspiring. Time will tell how good he proves to be, not whether he was team captain at Sporting Lisbon and played in the CL. Or that he was cheap and doesn't have a clear best position.

[ankeny]

Off topic,sorry,but do anyone know what Karl Sheppard is doing these days?Is he still at Accrington?

[melonhead]

he does have a clear best position ian. its CB

[Ian Royal]

I'm very excited about Carrico and not too concerned that he wasn't in the side - Roberts wasn't playing for Blackburn either when we signed him.

However I am with IR in that I don't understand the hype surrounding Sunzu - the only time any of us have really seen him play is one YouTube video which shows him winning a couple of headers. Let's be honest, no-one can remember him from the ACON last year so that is really all the evidence we've seen. In addition he plays for a club I've never even heard of and if Carrico is going to play CDM I can't see where Sunzu will fit into the side - £3m and 20k a week seems excessive for cover.

I'm actually a bit more positive about Sunzu. But maybe that's because he has a cool name.

[Ian Royal]

he does have a clear best position ian. its CB

Says you. Others say different.

[SPARTA]

he does have a clear best position ian. its CB

Says you. Others say different.

melonhead is wrong in any case. Locals claim he is best at CDM and would perhaps struggle at CB in the PL.

[melonhead]

he does have a clear best position ian. its CB

Says you. Others say different.

melonhead is wrong in any case. Locals claim he is best at CDM and would perhaps struggle at CB in the PL.

every portuguese expert ive heard discussing him have all said CB. and that barring 1 good game in the europa league, he struggled at CDM, hasnt got the passing ability, and gets alot of unnecessary bookings