Danny Pugh

Darlington born, Glasgow living. SAFC fan. Thoughts, views, comments and impressions are my own.

[Sky Sports News @SkySportsNews]

BREAKING: Newcastle believe they are set to miss out on the signing of Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa 🚨

The Switzerland international's preference is understood to be Villa, who have offered to match the £49m deal Newcastle verbally agreed with Freiburg.

[Roker Report @RokerReport]

“I arrived here as Eliezer. I leave as your Big Man.” ❤️🤍

#SAFC

[Match of the Day @BBCMOTD]

Sunderland leading the way! 🐈‍⬛🔝

[Match of the Day @BBCMOTD]

What a strike from Wilson Isidor! 🇭🇹

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Sunderland’s starting XI in their joyous, season-ending 2-1 victory over listless Chelsea cost the same as £106m Enzo Fernandez. This is no slight on a world champion, an elite attacking midfielder, full of craft and craftiness, if moody at times. This is simply a celebration of Sunderland’s exceptional recruitment, finding gems who can see - and seize - the opportunity at the Stadium of Light.

This is also a celebration of Regis Le Bris’ remarkable team-building, blending and bonding qualities which have guided a side promoted via the play-offs into seventh and Europe. For those of us who thought Sunderland would go straight back down, apologies and enjoy Europe. You deserve it. A well-run football operation deserves it. That backing from stands to boardroom deserves it. Football also deserves it: a reminder that the status quo can be challenged with shrewd planning and investment and hard work.

Of Le Bris’ starting XI against Chelsea, eight joined on the eve of the season and one in the winter window: Roefs a reported £9m from Nijmegen; Mukiele £9.5m from PS-G; Reinaldo free from Atletico Madrid; Geertruida loan from RB Leipzig; Le Fee £19.3m, loan made permanent from Roma; Xhaka £13m from Bayer Leverkusen; Sadiki £15m from Union St-Gilloise; Angulo £17.5m from Anderlecht (in February); and seven-goal Brobbey £21.6m from Ajax. Two 2025 arrivals came off the bench: Diarra £30m from Strasbourg; and Isidor £5m loan made permanent from Zenit St-Petersburg (in February 2025).

Three of the 14 involved were already at the club. The starting pair of: Hume £200,000 from Linfield in 2022; and O’Nien undisclosed but reported as £200,000 to £300,000 from Wycombe Wanderers in 2018. And the sub: Rigg from Sunderland’s academy. (The £105.5m total does not include the undisclosed loan fees).

When Sunderland won 2-1 at the Bridge in October, Le Bris’ starting XI cost only £75m (and also had the important Ballard, £2m from Arsenal in 2022). Chelsea’s starting XI was £433m.

Four miles from the Bridge, on Park Lane this evening, the League Managers Association celebrates its members’ many achievements this season. Le Bris certainly deserves a mention. Mixing old and many new players, and getting new signings to settle quickly, requires real people skills. Le Bris and his staff clearly have them.

It’s also a reflection on Sunderland’s family club reputation that so many newcomers are welcomed and assimilated so quickly. Some will move on, some will be moved on but what a journey this is across England - and soon Europe. #SAFC

[GILESY @GILESY1973]

“Its fucking unbelievable”

My captain granit xhaka 👊🏻 #SAFC

This has been a dream to remember!

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

WE'RE ALL GOING ON A EUROPEAN TOUR 🌍

[Danny Pugh @DannyPugh11]

Good choice of photo

[Premier League @premierleague]

Representing the Premier League in Europe next season ✈️

[Gavin Evans @GavinEvs]

Moment they realised they'd qualified for Europe 🇪🇺 #safc

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

EUROPA LEAGUE FOOTBALL IS COMING TO SUNDERLAND!

[Danny Pugh @DannyPugh11]

@LumoTravel 15:26

[Danny Pugh @DannyPugh11]

@LumoTravel @CrossCountryUK my @LNER train has been cancelled today and their next one gets me into my destination later than I need, would either of you accept my ticket? Travelling from Edinburgh to Newcastle

[Danny Pugh @DannyPugh11]

@CrossCountryUK @LumoTravel @LNER Brilliant, cheers

[Danny Pugh @DannyPugh11]

@CrossCountryUK @LumoTravel @LNER Great so can I get on the 15:04 from Edinburgh with you @CrossCountryUK ?

[Danny Pugh @DannyPugh11]

@SunlunTickets any adult tickets going for Brentford?

[Newcastle United @NUFC]

Big Nick. 🇩🇪

[Dominic Shaw @DomShawEcho]

#NUFC paid £124m for Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga in the summer.

For around £10m more, #SAFC signed Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Reinildo, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee, Bertrand Traore, Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey.

[Sunderland AFC @SunderlandAFC]

The moment the city erupted 🔊

[Danny Pugh @DannyPugh11]

Lasses, it’s Tottenham

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Tottenham Hotspur were 3-0 up and cruising against Manchester United, with 73 minutes on the clock.

But then the comeback began.

Ella Toone scored in the 74th minute, Fridolina Rolfo scored in the 82nd minute — and in the fourth minute of added time, the Swede completed the comeback.

[Danny Pugh @DannyPugh11]

Some player by the way

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Nick Woltemade scores his first goal in the Tyne–Wear derby.

Unfortunately for the German, it's for Sunderland.

His header beats his own keeper and sends the Stadium of Light faithful into rapturous celebration.