SAFC 1 MAN. CITY 2
Well it was a disappointment on the night, I predicted a close game with a one goal margin but alas the away team got the nod.
We started off nervously and if you can't hold retiring internationals at bay you will be punished. Mr "Bean" at the heart of our defence again looked a pace too slow and should have closed Vassell down before he had a chance on goal and the second goal the defence stood back and then worst of all opened up to allow the shot. You cannot do that in this league.
We then seemed to get back into it and with a possible own goal we got one back just before half time. Second half proved frustrating with plenty of effort and pocession but no real opportunities on goal. We need to defend better and at least get shots in on goal - as the old saying goes if you don't get shots on goal you've got now chance.
Reflection on the match - we were not outclassed Whitehead looks a good Premiership player but we need a more attacking midfield, defence again looks poor and upfront I think we still need that proven striker although the loan star Le Tallec from Liverpool looks okay and will get better. Gray from Sheffield United failed again to make an impact and Stead's ball control needs improving; Elliott was lively even though he was playing out of position on the right.
Then there was the terrible journey home - coach crash again for the second game running on exit from the coach park, thankfully not ours, traffic lights on exit from the SOL not working and the roundabout on A690 /A19 coned off with no one working - this just added to an already bad night and back at a late 11.05pm no time for a sup to drown our sorrows.
Plus point was the attendance on the coach making a profit for the second game in a row!
Definitley need something from the Wigan game.
Jim Gilling
posted by Jim Gilling - Secretary SAFCSA Coxhoe Branch @ 8:03 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Yes Jim a diappointing night all round. Having those traffic lights out of action was plain stupid - there should havde been a traffic cop on duty directing the traffic. I've just been chatting to a Sunderland supporter at work and we've both agreed that we've been playing quite well but not good enough to clinch the points. Two main areas for improvement
1. We need a striker who can be a clinical finisher and put the ball in the back of the net a la SKP.
2. We need to be much tighter defensively. We can't keep giving the ball away and being so square against pacy Premiership forwards
Another disapppointment was that the queues at Sizzlers were really long so I didn't get my fish and chips but made do with a beef sandwich.
We live to fight another day - looking forward to Wigan on Saturday for a good day out and a good show from the Lads to get our season going with 3 points. It's going to be a long season, no doubt about that!
Billy, now I'm going to be blunt here... talk it up as much as you want look for the positives as much as you want BUT it was you that said "we can't afford to fall behind early on" Having watched it last night on TV / PC Manchester City once ahead never looked threatened, never looked like they would let it slip and for all the ageing internationals in their side there was a gulf in class. Sunderland need to think themselves fortunate that Wright-Phillips has gone. Could you imagine the damage he'd have done with his direct style of play?
Sunderland have the strikers Billy of that I have no doubt. What they don't have is the midfield creativity to make it happen. Whitehead may be a good runner, have a good engine, but even Shaun Cunnington could get into goal scoring positions. We have no wherewithall in terms of intelligent play.
I know there is a long way to go but even at this early stage I think the writing is on the wall. I think it will be hard at Wigan on Saturday and I think Sundrland will lose.
How long therefore before the heat comes onto MM. Won't be long.
People can balme Murray as much as they want and he is culpible, but at the end of the day, MM has a budget to work with , he has to select players he believes can do the business, Murray has finnced that like it or not and then it's down to MM. Yes he's done a good job so far at a lower levl but has he got what it atkes at Prem leve?
I hope so but I don't think so.
Pressure on if they lose the next 2 games. By thene the gap may be unbridgeable.
Coxhoe seem to be bucking the trend. Falling attendances and increased bus numbers. Mind you bus crashes, traffic lights and late nights will soon put paid to that.
c,mon Huyton, having been to the match 'gulf in class' is rubbish. We should have got something out of the game the difference between the two teams was the finishing and it doesn't take an armchair pundit to recognise that.
Any Sunderland supporter knew that this season would be a struggle, but the performance last night was a 100%better than Charlton.
Sorry huyton, anonymous should have come up as me, the elusive Lord, I am sure that you know who I am.
Armchair pundit I may have been last night me Lud, but I'm afraid you get a far better perspective watching it on TV/PC than you do at the game. The gulf in class was exactly that, the ability to put the ball in the net, the skill to make Kelvin Davis earn his money and the defensive ability not to have David James put under any real pressure second half.
Sunderland were full of endeavour and running but created absolutely nothing. It may have been 100% better than Charlton as you put it, but the result was the same. Nil point.
Sunderland got what they deserved, absolutely nothing.
When we see some real skill in midfield, when we see some real class up front, when we see mobile central defenders and when we see McCarthy decide what his best side is, then we may see some progress.
It says absolutely everything about the team at the moment when Nyron Nosworthy is the name on everyones lips.
AndM'Lud you may need to give a clue to your identitiy. You've been missing so long and I've been in hibernation for a year that I'm struggling.
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