re: Newcastle had the second most net spending this season

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I'm not predicting a Leicester level turnaround- but mid table for Sunderland next season wouldn't surprise me at all if they can replicate this form. They've gotten better every week since basically the beginning of February and Defoe is a bonafide assassin

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I agree. If they keep the team together I could see a solid mid table finish for them.

Sam came out recently and said the Jozy and Defoe swap was the best bit of business they did. Based on goal output I have to agree, but the problem is that their midfield was complete shite when Jozy was there. He actually played much better than Fletcher or Wickham did, imo (none of whom were with the club this year anyway), and one of the MLS writers had a nice statistical overview that showed how much better they were with Jozy on the field compared to other strikers. Wrong system for Jozy, and probably wrong team and manager too. Not a fan of Defoe because of how he treated MLS, but he's been a fantastic signing for them. Having better players behind him than Jozy ever did certainly helps though.