Sunderland transfer news: Gus Poyet frustrated by recruitment policy
The manager suggested he would have little to do with signing new players during next month's transfer window
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Your support makes all the difference.Gus Poyet, the Sunderland manager, appeared to criticise the club’s transfer policy when asked if he was going to strengthen his struggling squad in next month’s transfer window.
“I want more quality. Do I think I’ll get it? I don’t know,” said Poyet, whose side face Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday. “You know what is missing. It is clear what we need to do. That is down to recruitment.
“So, if you ever get the chance to speak to anyone on the recruitment side and ask them about it, you are lucky,” he added. “If you don’t, don’t ask me.”
Sunderland are without a win in six games and are 15th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone. In those games, five of which ended in draws, they have managed only three goals and so increasing his side’s potency up front is an obvious priority for Poyet.
However, he suggested he would have little to do with signing new players next month. “I am a head coach,” Poyet said. “I am not going to be a head coach when it suits and a manager when it doesn’t. That side is down to recruitment.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle are facing a goalkeeping crisis ahead of the derby at St James’ Park and manager Alan Pardew is considering asking the Premier League about the possibility of an emergency loan.
Already without Netherlands international Tim Krul and Rob Elliott through injury, Pardew has been relying on 21-year-old Jak Alnwick. He made his senior debut when he came on to replace Elliott in the Premier League defeat of Chelsea this month but has conceded eight goals in his last two games and injured his shoulder in the 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat at Tottenham on Wednesday.
Pardew’s only other option is 17-year-old youth-team keeper Freddie Woodman. “It is something we might have to look at because there is no way that a 17-year-old that’s our fourth choice should be allowed to go in goal at this level,” he said.
The Premier League does allow clubs an emergency loan if they are down to only one fit senior goalkeeper.
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