Very happy with that. Thought we started like a train, Gooch created 2 excellent goals then we dropped off and got sloppy for 20 mins. 2nd half started slowly, but grew into it as Morecambe tired. Hoffmann 6 - Nowt to do, again could have been more commanding and less stuck to his line Wright 7 - Another good display at right back, surprisingly good on the ball Flanagan 7 - Solid, only hairy moments are when he tries to play football Doyle 7 - Rolls Royce of a player. Back to his early season form Gooch 8 - Started brilliantly, full of energy and creativity. Threw in a few frustrating moments just so we knew it was definitely him Dajaku 6 - Runs around a lot, doesn't look confident with the ball at his feet. Neil 7 - Couple of poor touches, but I like his endeavour. Excellent assist and deserved a goal Winchester 7 - Lad gets better and better. All action display Broadhead 8 - Getting better with each display, deserved his goals. Lad will be a real asset for rest of the season Stewart 7 - Glad to see him get his goal. Lucky to escape injury after that challenge Pritchard 8 - Probably edges Gooch for MOTM. Finally looks fully fit and is reaping rewards
Seems about right but bit harsh on Dajaku, thought he had a good game overall. Still not quite on the same wavelength as the other players but he’s getting there (to be fair he’s probably used to playing with better players )
I'm sorry to admit this, but I've been doing experiments with my voting over the last few games and have confirmed that it is true. I am responsible for Sunderland's bad results and the dip in form. It seems that my high expectations and overexcitement must have been putting the lads under a tad too much pressure. The good news is that it appears that in my voting for anything other than an SAFC win then this releases the lads from my overwhelming pressure burden. Consequently I have determined what actions I need to undertake on future match day threads. As I appear to be so critical to team performance then I cannot just refrain from voting participation, for fear that the lads think I have lost all interest and themselves lose interest. I therefore have to announce that for the remainder of the season I have to vote for draws. Please excuse the seeming lack of belief, but this is something I must do in the best interests of our beloved team.
Great to hear the fans singing Lee Johnsons Red and White army. A better team would have maybe scored at least 3 goals against us but at least we got 5. I'm a happy man let's hope we can get another decent result against Plymoutj
Just a quick point on the crowd. Where the **** was everyone? I know the official attendance was 26k but looked way less than 20k and was quiet as a mouse for most of the game. Did the weather put people off?
Well got home 12.45am, good run until Stainmore and the rain was biblical from there'll the way home. Nice to be back at the SOL, picked the right game, grandson doesn't agree tho. Thought Pritchard ran the show and my mom. Gooch is such an enigma, great first 20 minutes, then chucks in a few errors but there's defiantly a player in there. Morecambe were poorer than I was expecting although our high press was too much for them, Grandson reckons Stockton will be away in January and i'd give him a go. Nice of Gordon Armstrong to seek me out before the match, cheers mate. Overall great night out but must see if Plymouth on Saturday to make this result worthwhile. HTL
It went scarcely quiet for large parts of the game. Really strange considering the result and performance.
^ This ^ I love a player with two quick feet and a proper football brian. He makes the game look like a walk in the park. Also, I was again impressed with Pritchard....when he got into the game. As I've said before, his 'off the ball' awareness is 100% and key to the way he contributes.....the lad is growing !
A lot of people I know have a 5/6/7 hour round trip. I don't know any who went. But they are going on Saturday so have kept their powder dry. Leaving Sunderland around 10pm to drive to Cheltenham just didn't appeal tbh, I'm at work this morning. I can't speak for those with a Sunderland post code but, with Christmas, Arsenal, Doncaster, etc, to plan for, things aren't always as clear ut as you'd like.
I think a lot of local season card holders didn’t bother because of the awful weather earlier in the day. By match time this had all cleared and was a great night to play and watch football.
