Sunderland In Stead

Jon Stead has opted for the Stadium of Light as opposed to The Valley and, in my opinion, a season of struggle and eventual relegation instead of a cosy spot somewhere between seventh and twelvth and a fourth round FA Cup knockout. I believe that he has also opted for guaranteed first team football over fighting for a place in the team. Can't blame him for that and at the end of the day I don't think any of us are particularly disappointed that this move didn't materialise except for Messrs Curbishley and Murray who obviously know which other targets we are chasing and where Stead would have fitted into the general scheme of things. Maybe he was a big piece in the jigsaw but I'd doubt it. Another striker is on the agenda though so I suppose our attention will now be turned to our old friend Mr Kezman although if we are looking for someone in the target-man mould there is always Dean Ashton to consider, a done deal according to Dave Collis's Mum's Mate who happens to know a Daily Express journo.

I expect our next signing to be from Gonzalo Sorondo, Darren Ambrose, Lee Bowyer or Mateja Kezman with my money on Ambrose next in although I wouldn't rule out any of the others following soon after.