Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Fulham FC – FA Cup - Wednesday 8th February 2023 - KO 19:45

Anybody think Silva(arrogant miserable prick) will look at a couple of players and think yes just maybe they are Prem players. Going to be a worrying summer me fears during transfer window. If we don't go up

 

This is going to happen at some point in time. Think this is what they mean by following the model. Not sure how the fans will react but hope this will allow us to replace them with other prospects and again sell them on and make a bit of coin . Hopefully we will start to keep one or two on affordable contracts and build a team not relying on loans and not having to rebuild each and every window. We are getting there but we need to be patient.

 

Listening to the commentator creaming over Mitrovic “awareness of Pereara” he didn’t even look, just hoped there was someone there, and Patterson read the third perfectly, but the lad completely mis kicked it, and he says it’s a great finish!! Jesus man.

 

Yeah that third one could have gone anywhere, could have gone backwards. Lucky finish direction wise but he did well to meet it.

 

Yes, If we're 3 nil up and you've bet on both teams to score

 

Totally agree with you re Neil. Thought that all season, if he'd been brought in from somewhere else he'd get pelters, but as he's local he's been touted as great. Just my opinion too but no doubt I'll get slated

 

Yeah I’ll slate you. How on earth have you came to this opinion?

 

Looking flash yet is in the top 10 for tackles won in the league this season, wins over 54% of his duels (which is high for a CM) and has an 83% pass success rate - would be higher if he just played it simple but thats not what good CMs do, their 1st thought is to pass forward. People rave about him because he is a young lad who is in his 2nd full season at senior level and he is holding his own in the Championship - the fact he's a die hard Sunderland fan is a bonus

 

Haha CM and SD for life!!!

 

Some people think some players are only slated because they're local.

Some people think some players are only praised because they're local.

Been like that since time began

 

Didn’t have his best game last night but he’s been excellent this season given it’s a step up in level and still only his second season in men’s football

 

So having reflected on the performance last night I am so proud of how we played. We were shocking to start with, while some on here (repeatedly) blamed it on not having a big physical striker, however, I think it was just because he lacked composure on the ball. We gave the ball away constantly and even under no pressure we couldn't make a pass to begin with. What stood out to me though was none of our players went hiding, Michut and Neil both started getting on the ball and our fullbacks started to pick out forward passes. I thought some of our movement in the 2nd half was class, I think the switch to 4-2-3-1 in the 2nd half really help as we looked far more dangerous. Ba's movement was better as the game wore on, he was dropping off the defenders picking up the ball and driving at them which caused problems - his final decision was poor though, should come with experience. He was also always looking to get across defenders in the box, this was dragging them out of position and given others space to attack.

Perhaps the most encouraging thing was the about of chances that we created, that's impressive and makes me optimistic that if Gelhardt does pick up a knock we will still win games with the attacking talent we have. It wasn't that we just created chances but we scored 2 and forced the GK/CBs into saves/blocks.

We have an exciting team, yet some will still moan non stop, and the long term future is unreal. The biggest worry for me isn't the lack of depth upfront but the state of the pitch, I was raging seeing how bad the pitch was. That kind of pitch is fine if we played like Millwall but we are one of the best passing teams in the league and unfortunately that pitch is a disadvantage to our team.

My final point, I get this is a forum for all to share their thoughts on Sunderland however, it is getting so boring listening to the constant moaning about not signing a striker. The club have already explained why and for me that should be enough, I dont mind folk waiting till the end of the game and saying we missed Stewart or a Simms - I get that. But to start moaning after 20 minutes because a top PL side were forcing us into mistakes was embarrassing. The fact we scored 2 and created more chances shows we can hurt teams without a recognize striker (I agree its not ideal but we have to deal with what we have). The fact some said we should get players in who might not be of Championship quality just so we have a no9, have you not learnt from Danny Graham and Will Grigg???

Anyway I honestly really enjoy this forum and most are great posters, even if we dont agree they post win lose or draw and I respect that. I just dont want this place to become fractious for the rest of the season just because we didnt sign another striker in January (every one said we should and we are all disappointed we didnt but our recruitment team has earned our trust)


P.s. if you have read this far you def deserve a drink!!!!

 

Took the Granddaughter last night, absolutely loved it. Kept complaining about the ref.

 

By, you post some good stuff!

 

Great post. Just poured one.

 

Very kind mate, do we get vouchers or will we meet you in person

 

Vouchers on there way to fife for you Smug

 

Appreciate it mate

 

Free hit. Fulham class abo

Double like

 

For those that missed it