Contract talks, Luke's extension and possible EFL meetingreaction
So you’d think that he’d be happy to play on.
Smith had already fallen downthepeckingorderbefore thepostponement,inthathavingbeenincludedonthebench twice after signing, Joel Lynch returned to the squad in his place. One caveat to all this is that Sunderland have so many centre-backs who would need to agree to an extension.
Wright and Lynch are two, but so are Alim Ozturk and Tom Flanagan. Jack Baldwin is another one to consider, given that League Two is almost certain to be curtailed.
If we resumed and all those agreed to stay on, Smith wouldn’t be needed. to the principle of relegatingateam(mainlyasthere is major doubt over whether the National League will resumebehindcloseddoorsnext season).Thepotentiallooming penaltiesforMacclesfieldhave also complicated that matter considerably.
The other will be how to try andnavigateawaythroughthe divide in League One. As such, the proposal put forward by Tranmere Rovers will be discussed.
This sees points-per-game used, but with a margin of error,calculatedbylookingatthe tables from recent years and comparing how they changed from the point in the season at which we stopped playing.
In this scenario, Tranmere stayup,Sunderlandgetintoan extended play-off and League One has 25 teams next year. Once the EFL decides what options it wants to put on the ballot, clubs will then have five days to vote (so it will likely be early to mid next week when we finally know).
So this gives Sunderland more time to get things sorted. for another year. Luke has also said on the record himself that heseeshislong-termfutureon Wearside.
Theoretically, Josh Scowen should be an asset whatever happens but in truth, I just haven’t seen enough of him to make a definitive judgement.
If the Black Cats are in League One, I’d like to see Ethan Robson get a new deal and a proper go. Budgets are goingtocomedownsowhynot give a homegrown talent a go?
Duncan Watmore I would like to see stay, but that comes with the very obvious caveat that there is a difficult conversation surrounding finances with that one.
Alim Ozturk and Tom Flanagan have done well for Phil Parkinson,andI’dbesurprised if he didn’t look to keep them if it is to be another campaign in League One.