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Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v West Bromwich Albion – Saturday 9th December 2023 - KO 12:30

Discussion in 'Sunderland' started by RTB, Dec 6, 2023.

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Your Prediction:

Poll closed Dec 9, 2023.
  1. Home win

    60.7%
  2. Away win

    23.0%
  3. Draw

    16.4%
  1. The Legendary Tongue

    The Legendary Tongue Well-Known Member

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    Aye cos West Brom aren’t allowed to affect how our players perform. The first half Ekwah didn’t seem 100% but the second half him and the team played top notch football. Dan Neil will play a lot of PL football, I just hope it’s with us.
     
    #541
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  2. smithy in nl

    smithy in nl Well-Known Member

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    We can just concede a goal ya know lads, doesn’t always have to be someone’s fault.

    best we’ve played in ages that yesterday I’m just going to enjoy it and not look to pull players apart for **** all.
     
    #542
  3. WorkyTicketFTM

    WorkyTicketFTM Well-Known Member

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    I was just reading a back and forth about him someone basically saying has Neil actually had a decent game since whenever, might’ve been the Southampton or Boro game. Played well yesterday but still think the DM role needs resolving Ekwah isn’t the answer. Good player but I don’t think he’s best suited there.
     
    #543
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  4. Sour Patch

    Sour Patch Guest

    We seemed to drop to a double pivot with Neil and Ekwah in the second half and it worked so much better than just having one of them in there
     
    #544
  5. WorkyTicketFTM

    WorkyTicketFTM Well-Known Member

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    Normally the first to point the finger at him but I don’t think he’s at fault for their goal. Positioning isn’t great but he sees Thomas-Asante and tracks him at first but then points at Ballard when BTA floats in behind him as if to tell Ballard that he’s his man now. He comes from behind Ballard to win the header.
     
    #545
  6. Nacho

    Nacho Well-Known Member

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    Neil's been fine for me, he's had a difficult time with Ekwah being out of sorts. Knock on effect on the defence too. No coincidence that he has his best game in a while at the same time that Ekwah finds some form.
     
    #546
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  7. samwise_new

    samwise_new Well-Known Member

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    may be wrong but i dont think the ref even noticed, will have to see it back but he was pretty much 'blindside' although he had a decent view of the play...think he got word from the 4th official, maybe, as he seemed to take a while to go for his cards.
     
    #547
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  8. marcusblackcat

    marcusblackcat SAFC Sheriff
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    He’s possibly the best in the league, so it really isn’t exactly saying much that bold bit! He’d be the best centre back in most teams. Although he certainly can’t pass like O’Nien. Yet!
     
    #548
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  9. WorkyTicketFTM

    WorkyTicketFTM Well-Known Member

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    I think we might see Hume at RCB with Pembele RB before long. Think Pembele will be a starter and can’t see Hume dropping out totally. Absolutely brilliant defensively but not great going forward so makes sense for him to slot in there if anywhere
     
    #549
  10. vic9

    vic9 Well-Known Member

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    Think you are being a bit harsh on 09 there mind, if you watch the replay the wba player has a hold of 09’s shirt
     
    #550
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  11. samwise_new

    samwise_new Well-Known Member

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    take away the two 'not very likely but seen them given' penalties which will always cause division, i don't think the ref had too bad a game, not over fast to get his cards out and the players were not falling over at the drop of a hat trying for free kicks, twice he had the whistle in his mouth and let the game continue (when clarke was fouled twice and when ekwah was hauled over before neils goal) and to be honest i think (for a change) we got the best from him...that linesman with his offside though.

    just watched the extended highlights and onien seems to take the same spot when a cross might be coming in so i would agree that ballard was 'more to blame' but if we had a defence that stopped every goal we would be top of the premier and be celebrating many cup wins...only disappointment for me was it was, again, the only attempt on target, overall a very good performance from the defence imho.
     
    #551
  12. Sour Patch

    Sour Patch Guest

    Looking at their goal I think it's great movement by Thomas-Asante, maybe a slight lack of communication between our CBs but nothing too bad, my concern was how easy they got the cross in. Not that it mattered all that much just hope the coaching staff have spotted it and make the corrections for a very tough game Tuesday as Leeds will punish any slight mistakes
     
    #552
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  13. TopCat.

    TopCat. Well-Known Member

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    Because local lads always get more abuse than other signings. Neil has been outstanding this season
     
    #553
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  14. Whittylad

    Whittylad Well-Known Member

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    Agree with a lot of what has been said already. Much better performance particularly 2nd half. Thought Roberts has his best game for sometime. Ballard is immense and Hume played well also. Huggins seems to be playing better all the time. Pritchard and that pass to Dan Neil was absolutely top drawer as was the finish by Neil. Another big test Tuesday against probably the form team in the league at the minute but I'm more optimistic we can do well against them after yesterday's performance.
     
    #554
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  15. TopCat.

    TopCat. Well-Known Member

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    We conceded every week though, often very soft goals. Am struggling to think of a goal this season where the opposition have had to work hard for it - lots and lots of simple and soft goals conceded - even that worldie at Plymouth we allowed him to run through the centre with nary a challenge in sight

    It's not an issue when we win, but it will cost us against better teams

    5 cleans sheets in 21 games
     
    #555
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2023
  16. TopCat.

    TopCat. Well-Known Member

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    Once Alese and Biscuit-legs are back then we have real competition for places at full back.
     
    #556
  17. Gil T Azell

    Gil T Azell Well-Known Member

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    What is the rule on this. Has the 4th offical no clout at all. Surely the more help the better. If the ref had not booked the player do things like this get looked at retrospectively?
     
    #557
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  18. smithy in nl

    smithy in nl Well-Known Member

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    aye I know we’ve been ****e at the back but we’ve just sacked the bloke responsible for that and are looking to get someone to do a better job, just don’t see the point in trying to blame people for a goal when we’ve just won.
    Some people just love a moan I guess.
     
    #558
  19. Sour Patch

    Sour Patch Guest

    https://x.com/jhunterchron/status/1733835513184825366?s=46&t=lGmS7t3fhKmjcaf4pF4tQw

    Seriously what does Mowbray have on the media? If you can't see that the way we played was very much different to how it was under Mowbray i'm not sure the sport is for you. How about give Dodds some credit instead of lying.

    With James Hunter I always feel like his articles are vailed digs at the ownership/board and I'm pretty sure that's because he gets zero exclusives these days since Donald left. He is much harsher on the current regime than he ever was on Donald.
     
    #559
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  20. Robertson

    Robertson Well-Known Member

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