Today’s gossip, rumours and damned lies

Following Niall Quinn’s announcement that the Black Cats are pushing for the Champions League, the Drumaville consortium have decided to strengthen the squad. This weekend, they have been spotted lugging a giant shopping basket in Lancashire and East London…

Benni McCarthy to Sunderland
Paul Ince chose to pick Jason Roberts over the South African on Saturday, so might be tempted to sell if Sunderland are able to raise the £9 million that Blackburn are thought to value the striker at.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: After a fantastic first season, McCarthy’s importance at Blackburn has fallen

Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland
Roy Keane’s spending isn’t going to stop there though as he looks to spend £8 million

Chairman Niall Quinn unveils five step plan for success

At the end of 2007, Sunderland found themselves in 18th place, and only after whipping out the chequebook were they able to assure another season in the top flight. Despite their tumultuous league status, chairman Niall Quinn insists the club are halfway through a masterplan that will see the Black Cats playing in the Champions League:

“We had five steps planned when we took over as a board. Step one was going up, step two was staying up, step three, where we’re at now, was establishing ourselves in the Premier League, step four was competing for Europe and step five was aiming for Champions League football.”

It’s rarely good to criticise someone for being ambitious, but this plan seems like it’s a rather long way from coming to fruition. Nevertheless, Quinn continued to raise the aspirations of his club thusly:

“If we keep progressing,