It Is Time For Kenwyne Jones To Go
Despite all the public displays of support, the confused looks in front of the camera when asked whether Kenwyne Jones would be leaving, the striker's departure has looked likely for months not weeks.
If Sunderland had received a decent bid back in January, Jones would have been sold then. For all of his raw talent, physical presence and aerial power, Jones simply does not do it well enough, often enough.
Bruce has tried everything to coax the best out of him on a regular basis. There have been friendly chats and far from friendly bollockings, but Jones simply did not respond, whether it was the carrot or the stick.
Some might see that as a failure on Bruce's part, others will agree the decision to move him on for a vast profit was a sensible piece of business.
In my opinion Jones has been a good Sunderland player, but he has never been an excellent one, so it makes sense to cash in now.
Without him the Black Cats may well have never survived their relegation battles. However, the point here is, Sunderland are trying to move up a few rungs on the Premier League ladder and was Jones capable of lifting them there?
His performances in pre-season have been shocking in all honesty. He hasn't looked interested, in stark contrast to say Fraizer Campbell, and I get the impression from Bruce that has pushed him over the edge. When the bid came in, Jones' fate was sealed.
It is a risk, but every decision like this is. Jones divides opinion at the Stadium of Light, but as long as Bruce is given the money to spend by the board - he has brought in around £14m from player sales this summer and spent a tiny fraction of that - I think it is a good one.
However, I do feel he may need to sign another striker. I don't think Danny Welbeck can play as a targetman and Darren Bent prefers playing alongside someone with a physical presence with his back to goal so he can concentrate on making runs in behind the opposition defence.
If Sunderland go into the new season with a strikeforce of Bent, Campbell, Waghorn and Welbeck, I'm not convinced that is as good as what they had last season with Jones adding that power and presence.
I think a large chunk of the money will be used to sign Charles N'Zogbia from Wigan, which will add pace and goals from midfield, but there may well be some left over for another big centre-forward.
But, if Bruce wants to create a more mobile side, what a wonderful signing Craig Bellamy would be for the Wearsiders.
Presuming the whinge bag can be talked out of throwing his toys out of the pram (again)and retiring if he is moved on by Manchester City.
As for the impending arrival of Nedum Onuoha, excellent signing. Can play across the back four, but will probably be given the chance to establish himself as first-choice right back.
He still has vast potential and a point to prove. If he does well at Sunderland, we might just be watching England's new full-back in action.
http://www.lukewhostalking.co.uk/2010/01/is-kenwyne-jones-expendable-be.html
http://www.lukewhostalking.co.uk/2010/01/kenwyne-jones-needs-to-sort-hi.html
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Luke Edwards - is Chief Sports Writer of The Journal and uses his blog to give a unique and entertaining insight into events at Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Selling Jones was obviously the correct decision. Time will tell whether or not Stoke were fools for wanting him because he has serious mental issues.
In my opinion the need in the modern era to have a big bulldozer (like Shearer was) up front is far from proven and Steve Bruce could well decide to not go that route. I will not be surprised if Sunderland rely mainly on Bent plus Campbell backed up by good midfield plays and defender who go up for dead-ball kicks.
I'd like to see Luke devote more time to thinking about the plight of the Mapies because from what I have seen and ideas that they are any different from two years ago are dead wrong and they could well be be in deep trouble by end of this year.
Change the record MST. This time last year you were spouting that the Mags were destined for successive relegation. Mystic Mackem you are not. Now, what about this Titus Bramble signing then ... chortle.
Reluctantly I have to agree that this is a sensible bit of business from SB. You can't help feeling that the move will be good for both player and club as I think he will do well at Stoke.
On the positive side for SAFC fans the presence of KJ in the team did tend to make the tactic of lumping the ball up the park when things weren't going well a little too easy. Hopefully with a more mobile forward line we can play some more attractive football.
I like the sound of Nzogbia - not in the slightest bit bothered about where he has played before. However, no matter how good a player Bellamy is I desperately hope that Bruce does not follow up any interest. We just don't want players with his lack of discipline. We saw at close hand the issues he caused at Newcastle. Why on earth would we seek to put ourselves in that position.
Oh and Bramble will do just fine. £1M for a player with his level of premiership experience and even Champions League I think is a bargain.