Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Saudi State FC - FA Cup 3rd Round – Saturday 6th January 2024 - KO 12:45

I thought that at first but Ba made more progress than Jack Clarke in the few minutes he was on being honest. It just looked like men against boys 1-1 and largely it was. That’s what filthy blood money buys you.

 

Gutless, 3 players bottled it big style

 

For me setting Prichard against burn was a waste.

 

Thought he was brave in this cameo fair play to him atleast he tried to take it to them

 

I think there’s a few reality checks on a few players mind.

I love Hume but he showed today why I don’t think he will be a premier league player. Will always be a top championship player for me.

I also don’t think Clarke will have as much of an impact in the premier league as many think.

And Jobe is a long long way off. But he’s just turned 18 so that’s no slight on him. But he needs to be rotated out more. The fact he got 90 mins today was a joke.

Patterson also looked really nervous. He needs to stay with us at least another 2-3 years for me.

 

Not sure what else could have been expected. Money buys results and they've got more.

 

Bigger picture, we sell Bellingham on the back of his games and name and make a fortune. I think that’s the strategy. Game passed him by today though, but he’s a kid and still has so much potential he could definitely be great. So won’t single him out today as he was one of 11 who had a bad day to be honest.

 

I also want to credit Newcastle for not letting us play. We got it totally wrong on and off the pitch, but Newcastle also wanted it more and basically bullied us. We looked like an under 21 side.

 

I’m really not sold on Patterson, doesn’t command his area still although it has improved, his kicking is so poor and he’s borderline mute on the pitch, I don’t think he’s a premier league keeper in waiting, he’s fine for where we are at currently and hope he proves me wrong, still a baby in goalkeeper terms

 

So we, a Championship side, just re-establishling ourselves in the second tier after four years in the third tier, have lost to the 'richest club in the world', who are owned and bankrolled by a nation state, through an own-goal, a **** up, and a penalty.
They clearly looked like they were more expensively put together than we were.
Maybe Beale didn't get the tactics right.
Maybe our young lads were a bit overawed by the occasion.
But Ballard, despite his mistakes, was very good. Pritchard tried to drive us forward. O'Nien showed how much he cared.
But on the basis that they're owned by an oil rich Arab state and we're not, why are we surprised we lost?
I'd still much rather be us. We've got an owner who cares and is trying to run us properly. We've got a team full of young exciting players with loads of potential. Five years time and we might be meeting them on a much more even footing. But we haven't sold our soul. We're still a football club and they're just a propaganda tool. No defeat can change that.
I'm still proud of the lads.

 

Agreed about Ba he looked canny. Doesn't appear to have been fazed by his recent experiences.

 

This was frustrating, talked about the "free hit" all week and then didn't roll the dice when he could have. If we were going to lose I think we'd all prefer to have gone down swinging.

 

Ba was decent in a cameo appearance when no one was moving for him

 

Well done the lads.
Young upcoming team.
The scum didn't carve out a goal. They were gifted.
Unlucky Ballard, had to stick a leg out and sloppy for penalty but fook it, clatter the coont. Otherwise Ballard was excellent.
Ekwah mistake, clear it FFS. And could of scored on another day.
Luke O'nien, how do some not like him ? Love the lad me, some cracking tackles.
Pritchard was excellent.
Hume improved after poor start.
Naivety showed but I'm happy with everything but the result.

They're a better team obviously but we are earning our way not buying it.
Fùck them anyways.
Back to concentrating on the league.

Hope some fooker like Everton knock them out


HA'WAY THE LADS.

 

Ba looked like he hadn’t got the memo about jogging around today

 

Hume again is the most over rated player we have. Said if for months. Too slow and won't play on the PL.

Gordon ripped him ever time.

Clarke needs the ball.

Jobe was absolutely ass. Worst on the pitch. Totally zero temperament for a game like today. Zero bite, energy or nowt.

 

Reality check level 99 that.

Simply and utterly 3rd best all over the park.

A terrifying look at how far from the PL we are, can’t see many bids for Clarke in January after that is a minor blessing

 

Ha'way Pickford

 

Ba was excellent in his short cameo to be fair but Jobe should have been replaced and Clarke must have had his worst game of the season.

 

That's what I am saying pal. One sub. Being that dominated. Are you trying to win a game or just give up