We need new signings and quickly

WHILE writers up and down the country reach for their cliché collections, one man not ready to resort such measures is Roy Keane.

Seven days is a long time in football, as the contrast between full time against Spurs on the first weekend of the season and the final whistle at the JJB last weekend proved, although you’ll not hear the gaffer talking about football being a funny old game.

Our weaknesses, thankfully, are clear. In previous seasons it has been far less apparent; we were relegated on 19 points in 2003 despite a team featuring the likes of Kevin Phillips, Thomas Sorenson and Tore Andre Flo. In 2006 we amassed 15 points, despite unwavering support for a team playing their hearts out and a manager in Mick McCarthy who was doing all he could with the budget he had.

This time round we simply have some players who aren’t good enough. Roy has tried his best to give second chances and in some cases it has worked. Nyron Nosworthy has been a mainstay in central defence, and rewarded his manager’s faith in switching him from much-derided right back to much-respected centre half. He’s a Keane type of player, though; physical, in your face and full of passion.

After a post-match press conference in which the manager explained that he had been stupid rather than loyal for picking some players, it looks like he is at least watching the same team as we are.

The primary target for fan fury at present is Dwight Yorke. Despite his influence in the dressing room, he can’t convert this onto action on the pitch. His lack of pace was easier to get away with in slower, more physical midfields of the Championship. In the top flight, however, the speed of play is too much for him and we really need a midfield dynamo to arrive before the transfer window shuts.

Graham Kavanagh was our best midfielder last season, but has seemingly been frozen out this year. Despite being a yard or two faster than Yorke, his Sunderland career looks to be over.

Already on the shopping list and hopefully on the way in are a striker and a left back. Andy Cole should complete his move this week, although a forward capable of holding the ball up needs to come through the Stadium of Light doors with him. Emile Heskey gave us the run-around on Saturday and whilst he is mocked by many, someone with his ability to hustle, bustle and bully wouldn’t go amiss at this moment in time.

Next up on the list is a left back. Danny Collins has been capable at best there and has done a solid job for Keane, but it’s only a couple of seasons ago that he was coming to terms with life as a centre back in the Conference having moved from midfield. Now he’s playing out of position in the Premier League and it shows.

With Clive Clarke going to Leicester on loan this week, we now have no senior left-sided full backs at the club, something which needs addressed as a top priority.

The last week has seen us linked with the sublime (Giorgio Chiellini, Juventus, £10 million) to the ridiculous (Ian Harte, for the hundredth time) and finally the nostalgic return to Wearside of Julio Arca, for £2 million from Middlesbrough.

Truth be told, who comes in is of little worry, as long as someone decent arrives and soon. We’ve been told for the last few weeks that signings are imminent, but we need them now. Playing from now until January using only Collins as a left back, with Ross Wallace, a winger, as cover, is asking for trouble.

Most other teams seem to have done their business now and are getting on with bedding in. We still have a rush on and Wearside is praying we don’t reach the end of the week with the window being shut in our face without at least three additions to the squad.

Watch this space.