Would it be fair to say that seeing as we haven't signed anyone since the initial influx, and that the start of the season is only 1 week away, that MJ has not manged to get his first, and possibly second choices for the positions he still wants to fill?

Assumptions are dangerous!

You could believe he is holding out on some better targets that have had an offer on the table for a few weeks.
As far as im concerned we can easily start the season comfortably with the squad we have as have cover in most positions.
E.G If the Doncaster game is anything to go by then i am happy with Pollock being the only cover at CB at the moment

Season ticket sales poor, less money in coffers

Quoted from 123614

Would it be fair to say that seeing as we haven't signed anyone since the initial influx, and that the start of the season is only 1 week away, that MJ has not manged to get his first, and possibly second choices for the positions he still wants to fill?

I think it's safe to say that that is a regular occurrence at any league two club.

It all really depends on whether we're hoping to sign one or two youngsters from big clubs on a long-term loan or not. Embleton did well by us last season so hopefully that will put us in the shop window for managers looking to get game time for youngsters with potential.

Would love to see Embleton come back for that creativeness we so badly missed when he got injured, also another defender needed maybe, other than that I think the squad looks good to go and I can’t wait for it to start utm

Given he said himself he wanted/expected to make at least two further signings either these have fallen through, or, for whatever reason are still awaiting sign off.

Think Hendrie and Embleton arrived on deadline day last year and probably proved to be our best two outfield players so that is something I hope will be repeated. Think two more permanent guys will arrive but no idea when although you would hope at least one will be in time for the season stating.

Hendrie arrived a couple of weeks into the season, Embleton end of August.  Both only took a few weeks to get up and running.  

It can work both ways.  Ben Pringle arrived a day after Embleton and took forever to get going.  A few years before Danny Collins arrived mid-September and didn't miss a beat...

From the perspective of a manager he may think he can get better players a little bit cheaper by waiting a bit longer.  In June/July some players can afford to be a bit picky, reject contracts if they think they're worth more and wait to see what else is out there.  Come August time the same players will be keener to tie themselves down to a contract and a guaranteed wage.  Equally so a brave player could really hold it out, knowing that come mid-to-late September some managers are going to be really feeling the pressure after a poor start and in turn may be willing to pay over the odds just to bring someone in who can make slight improvements.

I'd be amazed if there's not a new centre-back here before the end of August.  Our present depth is a guy who hasn't got a full season in English footballer under his belt, a 17-year-old and another guy who wants to move back to the North West by all accounts.

Maybe a right-back arriving but if the new centre-back can cover both positions that might be enough.  

Further up field, I'd like to see us bring a genuinely creative attacking midfielder in.  I suspect we won't.

Have Sunderland got enougb pkayers to allow Embleton out on loan to us again ?

Don't think they would loan to a club in their own division and we now have a good track record of playing and looming after him.

So.... did he enjoy his playing time enough to return.. given the chance to do so ?

The obligatory no disrespect to Grimsby line in this article about Embo:

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/3-goals-2-assists-is-this-20-year-old-the-man-to-change-sunderlands-fortunes-this-season/

Don't make assumptions.  ;)

It could mean anything.  Might mean that he is still relentlessly pursuing his no1 choice.

Would not surprise me if he was loaned back to us after they have taken a look at him again during preseason friendlies, on a immediate call back if required.

Quoted from GrimRob

The obligatory no disrespect to Grimsby line in this article about Embo:

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/3-goals-2-assists-is-this-20-year-old-the-man-to-change-sunderlands-fortunes-this-season/

About right, I'd say, there were periods of last season when mid table obscurity was seemingly beyond us.

Quoted from FrazerGTFC

Season ticket sales poor, less money in coffers

Genuine question, have the club said how many season tickets we have sold ?

Quoted from Garth

Would not surprise me if he was loaned back to us after they have taken a look at him again during preseason friendlies, on a immediate call back if required.

Can't do that on long term loans (and you can't do short term ones anymore)

If you make an assumption, you make an àss out of u and...er...mption...or something.

Quoted from Abdul19

Can't do that on long term loans (and you can't do short term ones anymore)

Oh OK I stand corrected said the ----------------man

well we do need some more players, but when are we ever ready to go on the first day of the season?

Quoted from FrazerGTFC

Season ticket sales poor, less money in coffers

Based on what ?

Quoted from rancido

Based on what ?

Probably based on the radio silence from the club on this question.