Advocaat wants more players before window closes

They don’t call him The Little General for nothing.

The 26-year-old will start at Leicester tomorrow after taking on the challenge at Sunderland, but how did Advocaat persuade him to join him again after two previous spells together?

He consistently arrives at his pre-match news conferences with a message, and whatever he’s asked, that message is the one he ends up conveying.

Dick Advocaat (middle) is entering his second season in charge of Sunderland.

Take Friday for example.

What would be progress for you this season? Everyone has waited for this moment, you need to start well. He is one of many players who will remember the pain of relegation, and if they are to stay up this season, his contribution will be crucial. The past few seasons have seen them appoint somewhat left field managers halfway through a season, who then inspire their ailing squad to safety with barely a kick to spare, before they are subsequently replaced by the next manager the following season.

However, what is also clear, is that Sunderland are actively trying to bring in more signings whilst it is looking increasingly likely that this is our lot.

While his new team-mates have spent recent years fighting for Premier League survival, that is a breeze compared with what the Dutch global has had to contend with.

Although the signing of M’Vila has come at a time when we have depth in that particular position, it may just give Dick the freedom to tinker slightly with his favoured 4-3-3 set up.

The Black Cats’ forwards scored a combined total of just 15 goals last season, which most Premier League strikers would be expected to bag by themselves.

The Netherlands global, 25, is unavailable for this weekend’s league opener against Charlton but head coach Ramsey says he is confident Fer will feature for QPR in the Championship before long.

The jewel in the crown for Advocaat is the £9m splashed out on Jeremain Lens.

Many had thought that Advocaat’s Tyne and Wear swansong was over, as he was always insistent that he would end his managerial career at the Stadium of Light.

“We had a problem last season making goals and also creating chances, so something was wrong in both midfield and up front and that’s why we bought Lens.” added Advocaat.

Although he stopped short of admitting it, it’s a striker and creative midfielder (in the mould of Fer) that he wants.

Another big problem for Sunderland last season was protecting leads.

His parting shot at his pre-match news conference?

“We have brought in players who improve the squad”, he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

And with that he was off. Point made.