Great to see his efforts being rewarded with a goal. For me he has been one of the main reasons for our upturn in results. Also a mention for Akinfenwa for taking the chants from the South Stand in the right spirit. Atmosphere was much improved yesterday and long may it continue.. Time for unity to push us onwards and upwards.
It's incredible how the supporters stuck with Wyke after his performances and chances missed ... ... hasn't taken Newcastle long to turn on Joelinton
Play off semi final, I remember thinking he looked absolutely hopeless. No anticipation, couldn't win a header. It's always nice to see a player play their way back into form and show what they can do.
Thought it was his best game in a Sunderland shirt yesterday. Is it too soon to give Parky & his coaching staff some credit for that or do we stick with his coming back from injury?
Can I just say its quite a while since somebody had a moan about you writing in blue. Personally I have never given a flying one which colour you use.
The Coaching staff have worked wonders on fitness and tactics, the team's performance is unrecognisable to the one under Ross. They deserve all the praise they receive.
Can't question his effort, persistence etc. but his goal return is very very ordinary. With the amount of chances we now seem to be creating it's such a pity we still didnt have maja. Maybe it is just a confidence thing but sooner or later he needs to increase his scoring rate
To be fair it has been fairly difficult playing upfront on your own. Parky has changed things and he now has more help and is getting better. Still should have had another yesterday though the useless git
Wyke is great to see coming into some form. He's looked a handful from the start and has worked hard enough (when I've seen him) to deserve his chances, there was a hope that it was only a matter of time. The team should get play-offs from here (or better if the top few keep messing up). It's really hard to stick with Joelinton to be honest. Almiron I defended as there was clear ability and a willingness to put in a good shift (the minimum you'd expect). Joe is only 23 and has had flashes of being decent but mostly he has look irredeemably bad - a creaking Andy Carroll has been mush superior. He'll have the full season and then if he starts next season garbage they'll really give up on him. £40m...
He just seems a bit lazy which, as this is his big chance, seems strange. It was always a strange buy when there are strikers in this country for less money.
I thought Wyke was rubbish for a long time but I've always had some patience for him even at his most useless because he was at least trying. Turns out he's a much better player than I gave him credit for and now he's fit he tries harder than ever. Gave Wycombe's defence nightmares. They couldn't grasp what was going on.
No,its not too soon mate. In fact, the fitness training for all the team has played a major part in our rise in fortunes/performances. Not a below par performance from anyone in a Sunderland shirt yesterday.
In response to Nacho: It's not the first time this season. There's been a few times I've watched him and thought he must be a nightmare to play against it's just that you then need him to back it up with goals or create spaces for midfielders to utilise. It seems to be clicking now ) I've never gone back and looked at his games prior to us signing him but £40m for what was not actually very many goals/assists was an odd one. He also hasn't got a great first touch and although he's not slow when playing with Almiron and Saint-Maximan he looks a few yards off their pace. He is offering nothing to the team and unlike the other two who i'd back to tear up lesser leagues I suspect if you guys have Joe on loan for the rest of the season you'd give up on him too. I hope I'm wrong and would obvious support him when he pulls on the shirt but he feels like a dud (the fee isn't his fault but it's hard to ignore). ps. Sorry I'll stop talking Newcastle, i do actually enjoy coming on here and talking Sunderland even at the worst of times so now it's even better
Bollocks . . . . my stalker will probably be here soon, just, and specifically, to spoil the good atmosphere Hopefully not, though
It's interesting reading all the comments about improved fitness. I managed to get to our opening game of the season against Oxford, which we should have lost by a mountain of goals but got a lucky draw. One thing I recall noticing was how much more professional and committed Oxford were at the warm up compared to us. My thought at the time was how that approach to training and preparation must impact on fitness.
