That's as comfortable a win as we've had all season. Doncaster look in huge trouble Great to see Cirkin back on the pitch
He has been great this season. I have never been that convinced by him but now I am. He has been consistent and seems to see himself as a senior lad in the team. A player who seems to be improving to me. There was a bit of defending today where their lad looked like getting in down the side by he stepped across and got in front to see it out. Good reading and nice and calm.
Good honest pro. Always gives everything and puts his head where it hurts. I like the lad, doesn't seem like a bit of bother off the pitch either. Reading that article by the ****ing charlatan of a player (Rodwell) earlier and I'd have a 1000 Flannos over that absolute cretin.
Agree 100%. Tom Flanagan is playing better than he has ever played before in a Sunderland shirt. It was also good to hear him mention Lee Johnson as the man that has rejuvenated him. I would imagine that the fans not getting on his back when he makes a mistake is helping too!
Great value for the three points, it looked more like a cup tie than a league game as we were dominant pretty much throughout. Our passing and movement was very good and the press was class, clearly they couldn't cope with any of that. Embleton was class and good value for his MoM but just how good was Alex Pritchard? Looked a level above League One again today. 3-0, could have been more but three points, a clean sheet and up into 2nd.
Some of our attacking play was excellent. A real joy to watch. We look more solid throughout the team as well. Wright's extra physicality and nous has been welcome. Dangerous going forward and a tough nut to crack as a team. A handful of select signings in January and we're really looking good.
Just got home. Cracking day. Good performance against a terrible Doncaster side. Pritchard superb. please log in to view this image
Great result and performance, should have been about 5 but have to be careful, need the bench players given more time, this is our best August-December points total ever(45p 1987-88) 42 points 1998-99) halfway mark and still have one more game to play. This is going to be the toughest div to go up in looking at 90 points.
Top notch today. Don't care where Donny are in the league, they showed some good spells and any team can win in this league. Only minus is Broadhead out for so long now, and Doyle picking up a soft yellow. But we were excellent to watch, slick and stamped our authority. We look really up for this now. I'll have to find my post from months ago predicting us getting promotion
Roker Report Player Ratings Ron-Thorben Hoffmann: 6/10 Made a couple of comfortable saves but was a spectator for the vast majority of the match. Lynden Gooch: 7/10 Completely untroubled defensively at left back but made a great driving run for the third goal. Bailey Wright: 7/10 An easy game for Wright, not much to do defensively so was freed up to support Dajaku on the right. Tom Flanagan: 8/10 Made a great block near the end when Doncaster finally threatened - from a corner - and was very good all game, making some good interceptions whenever Doncaster tried going forward. Callum Doyle: 7/10 Had a little more to do when Bogle came on at half-time but a very easy game for Doyle to stroll through. Leon Dajaku: 7/10 Started off very lively, his mazy run won the penalty for the opening goal and probably could have won another two penalties. Corry Evans: 6/10 Eased back into the starting line-up after time out with injury and was the perfect game to return for. Had a chance to score from 40-yards out but his shot went just wide. Dan Neil: 8/10 Another classy game from Neil, far too good for Doncaster today and always looked like he had all the time in the world on the ball, even when Donny tried closing him down. Alex Pritchard: 7/10 Buzzed around just off Stewart and caused the home side problems with his movement and pressing all game. Got an assist for the second goal and possibly scored the third with a clever flick. Elliot Embleton: 8/10 Took the second goal really well after a slightly heavy touch and was unlucky to not add to his tally with one blocked shot and one shot smashing off the post in the space of 30 seconds. Ross Stewart: 7/10 Back on the scoresheet after scoring the opening goal from the spot and led the line really well today. Substitutes Dennis Cirkin: 6/10 Good to see him return and slotted in well, could have done better with one effort after being played in by Dajaku. Denver Hume: 6/10 Came on and played ahead of Cirkin, had one goal disallowed when he strayed miles offside and then one cross pulled behind the runners but a good comeback from the runaround he had at Arsenal. Will Harris: 6/10 Came on for the final 10 minutes and put himself about but the game was long won by that point. Man of the Match: Dan Neil Toss of a coin between Neil and Embleton today but Neil just shaded it for me. Unlucky not to score himself but he was far, far too good for Doncaster, who could never get near him. Sprayed balls around, composed on the ball and made the team tick.
Brilliant result, Brilliant performance, Brilliant support. We are in a really good position now, players coming back from injury and probably some investment next month. Happy days
Got to mention the fans today. Absolutely awesome as usual - 100% passion and never stopped singing their hearts out for the lads
The lads were a joy to watch today, though we have to be more clinical against better opposition. I wish Dan Neil would tone it down when we're on the telly!
Well back home and fed and watered . It’s all been said really. Top performance from everyone including the supporters who backed the lads all game. Great to see a couple of players coming back from injury. Doncaster are a team in trouble but hey you can only beat what’s in front of you. Dajuka settling in now and playing well. Neal is a Rolls Royce of a player Pritchard is getting better and better , embleton seems to have got his mojo back again. Totally professional performance. Good to catch up with friends again. On we go for a big game Thursday. It’s feeling good.
At this level, when it's just about heading the ball and winning tackles, Flanagan is very good. The problem comes when he mistakes himself for a footballer and starts trying to pass the ball or beat players....
