I feel for Gooch. On his day he can be excellent. Yesterday wasn’t one of those. But he’s a player who, regardless of not having a good game, still shows and asks for the ball. Never hides and does a hell of a lot of work (regardless of idiots in the north stand calling him). Gets too much stick imo
Embo behind O/9 looks odd to me, as does the current back three , the idea is fine, personnel is the problem , as is Gooch who is having a dreadful season. Other than that Alex is playing a blinder and a well deserved promotion is in sight. Cant wait for Monday Oau.
I agree entirely with that, Embleton goes missing to many times in a battle, he is more creative and should be higher up the pitch. Neil said last week that he has played a back three more times at Sunderland than he has in his entire career. He prefers a back four but hasn't got the players here to play it. It will be interesting to see how he manages with his own players after a transfer window Clocky
I was sat near one yesterday in the North Stand who every time he got the ball screamed dont ****ing pass to him he's ****. Like you say his work rate is top notch and he never hides. I agree he's limited and hasn't been great this season but give the lad a chance while we are league one he is a more than useful player to have.
There was a clown behind me shouting "get down the line Gooch" with a few expletives thrown in, every attack second half. Gooch was on their last man, if he did get down the line he would be offside
He certainly divides opinion of that their is no doubt. Although I am not a fan of bare statistics, I just wonder how his are shaping up this season, I cant remember a goal or an assist, and defensively waving his arms about and falling over seems to be his forte.
You must have been on Clarke's side of the pitch when you made that observation. On the other side, Gooch and Winchester had five tackles between them, comfortably more than the combined efforts of the rest of the squad.
He has had 3 or 4 games where he was unplayable. And the other 20(?) he’s looked awful. Again his work rate is often overlooked and he’s often been asked to play 4 or 5 roles in a game! That can’t help the lad. And idiot fans constantly on his back.
First game of the season against Wigan, he was the best player on the pitch. A constant threat. I’ve always said Gooch has quality, he’s just not consistent enough. Shame really.
You could say the same about Neil, Embleton and Stewart tbh, but they're immune from the same criticism. Gooch always wants the ball, even when he's marked, and often has to delay a cross or check back because no-one is getting into the area. There's a reason every manager always comes back to Gooch imo.
I have probably asked this before, will probably ask it in the future and will probably get shot down with some logical reason as to why it does'nt happen. 2-0 up in 17 mins yesterday and they were on the ropes. They get a corner and we bring every f*cking person back into the goalbox. Basically if we kick it out its coming back. 2-0 up why the f*ck do we not leave a bloke with pace such as Broadhead or Clarke on the half way line? Or even leave 2 men up there? If we did this any opposition would leave 2 or 3 men back to counteract the breakaway we could potentially get. In my opinion that is rank bad management even though I cannot recall any of our managers ever doing it. At 0-0 to a certain extent I can understand its routine and practice but yesterday p*ssed me off.
I've no idea, drives me mad tbh. I really don't want to risk Broadhead marking their defenders at corners either.
I can never understand that tactic either but we're not the only team who uses it and it does put pressure back onto the defence. If there was one player left up top defending at least there would be someone to chase the hoofed ball to try and get the rest of the team back up the pitch
I would say because we are playing with one centre half so need the big lads back, but I’d agree on leaving one player at least out there to hassle the opposition when it’s cleared.
Official highlights: https://safc.com/news/team-news/2022/april/shrewsbury-town/highlights-vs-shrewsbury Full 90: https://safc.com/news/team-news/2022/april/shrewsbury-town/full-90-vs-shrewsbury-town Post match analysis:
