Alex Neil admits the 'almighty dollar' speaks loudest in the transfer market as Sunderland battle to land their top targets this month. The Black Cats boss wants to add at least 'four or five' more new signings to the seven who have already arrived on Wearside, to address a squad that is both short on numbers and which has little or no cover in some key positions.
But Neil is determined that any arrivals must be capable of improving his team, not merely making up the numbers, and that bringing in players at that level comes at a cost. Sunderland's return to the Championship has gone well so far with the club unbeaten in their first three games and with five points on the board - and they could easily have had more at this early stage - and, to a degree, that makes it easier to attract players.
But ultimately it often comes down to money, and while Sunderland's budget is by no means the smallest in the second tier it is also nowhere near the largest, and is probably closer to the former than the latter. Asked whether he is confident of getting the players he wants before the window closes on September 1, Neil said: "The problem I've got is that I can't make decisions for people.
