My problem with AoB is fairly straightforward, he played up front or thereabouts but often spurned the chance to shoot or to score.. he certainly has energy and links up play etc. But needs goals as all forwards do to justify his place. If following last night if he has turned a corner and will contribute double digit goals in a season, we need not fret about bringing another striker in. A start for him on Saturday?
And you can't undervalue culture at a football club. Rather have a enthuiastic group than a rotten core
Aye I’ve never seen him as a striker to be honest, but I like the lad. I like that he stretches team and is always on the move. I was surprised to see him bag 3 and 2 of them were superbly taken, who knows might get him on a run. Like you say 8-12 from him and we’d be flying.
Absolutely mate. And one thing we really should have at this level, as a bare minimum, is pride in the shirt. Playing for a club of this size at this level is above what a lot of players ever could have achieved in some ways (although the players all seem to be improving and several of them are capable of playing higher level now…)
And our job as supporters is to understand that a lot of these players are young'uns and to therefore accept that there will be blips. Key to them in excelling and growing is not to jump on their backs for the odd misplaced pass or mistake.
Aye absolutely. Ive always been vocal about not agreeing with the scapegoat culture and the negativity, I have to say though and I’m sure other lads will back this up, it’s felt a lot better this season, a lot more ‘supportive’. Yeah we’ve have a good start and there’s the buzz of being allowed back, but it feels like more than that. Like a mood shift. There were a few murmurs before Winiesta scored weekend but more standard what you’d expect, not meltdowns and full scale poison. Long may it continue. When the crowds are behind the lads it can be magnificent.
I have pondered posting this point for a while but thought it would descend into the arguments about Wyke again. I do tend to agree though if your stance is Wyke needs McGeady then the reverse is likely just as true. I am with you though that neither is true. I think Wyke will score goals this season and McGeady will assist this season. My guess on McGeady is it is a fitness thing. He missed a fair bit of pre-season and is managing tendonitis I think. At his age genuine match fitness is a hard won thing. I think he will quickly adapt his game with all the pace around him, which he hasnt had for a few seasons, he is too clever not to. I can see him more often than not taking players on the inside to create space for the pacey players out wide. I also envisage him taking up clever positions on the edge of the box when everyone is focussing on the penalty spot and either getting cut backs or clearances.
As well as assists he will always score goals, not just penalties. So yes he gets a start or is brought on as a sub after 50 or 60 minutes, depending on fitness. Imho a half Mcgeady is still an attacking force. Ps Always keep him away from the defence!
looks as if wright is apologising as well...both players doing what we would expect them to do, wright going for the block and patterson trying to save, unlucky one to concede. some good, valid points been made in the thread...would hope AOB gets more game time now as that was a decent hat trick, the type of game that really boosts a lads confidence, geads needs a rest imo while he fully recovers/treatment kicks in and while i like what gooch does as he always tries something he is lacking that final ball/correct decision and he always seems to do better after missing a couple of games. the best thing about this is we have lads willing and eager to step in but most of all we know they will do a good job as well, other than those couple of points no one in the squad has let themselves or anyone else down...long way to go but i sense a 'feel good factor' around the club at the minute.
As did Alan McInally on Sky mate. He was right up their hoop. Face up his own hoop when AOB got his third though
Awful pass from Doyle to set it up too! As bad as Burge’s mistake in the mk game. But no influx of criticism from our fans as he’s not a scapegoat!
On current form, Gooch, Pritchard and McGeady would be more than useful additions from the bench. LJ tried 4-2-2- 2 last season, but didn't have the right personnel on the park to make it work. With a midfield 4 (2-2) of Evans, 09, Neil and Embleton he might be able to make that work, especially as the two up top are both mobile and could pull the opposition's defence all over the place.
i said a while ago and others have also mentioned it, there will be mistakes from these lads and it is important the fans let them go and concentrate on the positives (although i do realise we have certain fans who just want to criticise everything) and that game even sounded good with wallace and grommit commentating and that takes some doing, bar the 'love island' chat along the way of course. i also said i thought we would stutter along a wee bit at first and probably be the team that finished strong this season although i am happy the way things are shaping up it is better than i hoped...this squad still has some learning to do, gooch and geads need to find consistant form, LJ has a selection headache and there are still players to return.
Sounds quite fitting.. ⬇️ Sunderland fans have already labelled Dan Neil: South Shields Socrates RonDanNeil-iho ZiDan Neil
Oh I know mate. I won’t do that though. He was trying an “eye of a needle pass” which would have put us in a very good position going forward. There was a lot of football after the pass although he was exposed as he had 2 to cover. If someone like McFadzean, Winchester, Burge had done the same, they’d be lambasted by certain “fans” and a few posters on here too.. Hopefully they can see this from the Doyle mistake yesterday and understand that players make mistakes. It happens. So you don’t have to start an influx of abuse from a small error where team mates don’t help you out!
