Well yes if they said they were going for top 2 of course they would. But they would still be lowering their expectations. He's realised quite rightly that we won't make top 2, so has lowered it. The problem being is that it's his role to improve and progress, that's the stick I would beat him with come the end of the season, not semantics
yeh so the stick to beat him with is the position in the league, not what he’s saying is the expectation of the head coach. Telling Beale his expectation is playoffs is basically asking him to achieve the best outcome he can this season. That’s high expectations. If he doesn’t make it, we can absolutely judge Speakman. Im actually encouraged to hear that Speakman is still saying playoffs are the goal (not that I’d expect him not to). He could very easily be trotting out the “young squad, finding it tough, need to consolidate” nonsense that I’m half expecting from Beale in the coming weeks.
We've borne worse starts previously because there was evidence that things were improving. Allardyce is the obvious example. We were terrible for ages after his appointment but you could see what he was changing and that we'd click at some point.
H He's lowered his aim because we can't finish second, others have said he's amended it. Everyone is saying the same, just "lowering them" is deemed negative as opposed to "amending them"
The first line is exactly what I said at the "end of the season" when he will be judged. I'm encouraged that he thinks we could make play offs, I don't think I ever thought we would reach top 2. But the fact remains he has had to lower his aims.
Anyhow I'm bored, give me some transfer news, a hat trick for Hemir on Saturday and a masterclass in coaching from Beale as we pick up 3 points in a scintillating performance.
I think the league is tougher this year than last. We said it would be and it is. Not sure next will be quite as tough unless they relegate City and Everton! I think finishing 6th would be a massive success this year. Not saying I think we’ll get there
I have a feeling there will be a leak early this week, even if just to get the fans to talk about something other than beale
Huge Sunderland transfer could be ON, with Man Utd to ‘relax stance’ on player who loves the Black Cats Harry Watkinson 2 hours ago please log in to view this image Man Utd winger Amad Diallo during his loan with Sunderland, 2023 Sunderland have reportedly made it ‘really clear’ that they want to re-sign Manchester United winger Amad Diallo on loan this month. The talented 21-year-old spent a successful season-long loan with the Black Cats last season, scoring an impressive 13 goals in 37 Championship appearances. Diallo was linked with moves away from Man Utd in the summer but Erik ten Hag ultimately chose to keep hold of him. However, due to a knee injury, the youngster has managed just one brief Premier League appearance this season, which has led to speculation about his future. As reported by TEAMtalk, Leeds United and Middlesbrough are interested in signing Diallo on loan, but he has made it clear that he will only join Sunderland if he returns to the Championship. In a message sent to a Sunderland fan group on social media, Diallo said: “The rumours [linking me] me with a loan to Boro are fake. “If I had to come back on loan to the Championship, it would be at Sunderland and not anywhere else.” Man Utd tipped to ‘relax stance’ on Diallo According to a report cited by GOAL, Man Utd have ‘full confidence in Diallo’s potential’ and it was initially expected that they would ‘knock back any approaches for him in the winter window.’ However, it’s claimed that their position on the winger ‘could be relaxed ahead of February 1st,’ with a number of suitors ‘ready to swoop in.’ This is good news for Sunderland, who, as mentioned, have made it clear they want Diallo back at the Stadium of Light as they look to secure a spot in the playoffs. Black Cats manager Michael Beale has been open about his admiration for Diallo. “We’ve made it really clear to them that we would be in [the race for Diallo] but Man Utd really value him as well. “He could have an interesting second half of the season in-house but if he was to go out on loan, I can assure you, they are well aware we would want him to come back here. “Putting finances aside – because that’s the big thing isn’t it – I know he loved his time here, the fans loved him and he was well-loved in the changing room. “When I came here, it was something that if it could happen, it would happen but I think Man Utd realise they have a very good football player on their hands.” Sunderland currently sit in 10th place in the Championship table, just three points off the playoff spots.
Anyhow @Wheatsheaf cheers for coming on and actually bringing some transfer information even if it’s fairly ****e news
Seems all bad news at the moment, fingers crossed the club pulls something from the transfer heavens.
If we were able to bring Amad back AND get Roberts fit again then it would lift the fanbase. The Beale appointment and the ****e around the cup match has sucked all the life out of things - the atmosphere on Friday was ****e, but the performances on the pitch have a lot to do with that. Beat Stoke. Just find a way to win. Otherwise I can see half empty stadium for the rest of the season
45 and 6 players in their half stopping them playing it out. 46 and O9 winning the ball in their half with 5 players ahead of him. Nothing comes of it as Pritchard cuts inside where Bellingham is and we needed someone out wide. 47 and Ekwah unlucky to be booked 48 long ball and Hull fashion an opening by playing some slick football. 49 and Clarke cuts in and I can't workout if it's a shot or a cross to Rusyn at the back post. He should have definitely have made more of it but looks like he was caught in two minds. 49:53 and 6 players pinning them deep in their own half from a corner. Looks like a press to me. 59 mins and Carvalho drops back into the pocket to try and get on the ball and make things tick. 51 Seelts run past a few players but no options to release it. 53 and some tidy play gets us attacking down the left for a corner. Delivery in is poor and hits the first man who clears. 54 and a stupid ball from O9 to Hume let's them in. O9 goes down from nothing while Hull attack. He's straight back on his feet when we clear and he's embarrassed himself and us. Cheating yet again. 55 Hull moving it around much better. 56 and 5 of our players pressing them deep in their half. 57 some decent play from Carvalho and he creates a half chance. 57:42 we won the ball in their half with O9 high up. 58 we are doing alright, winna free kick, yet Danny Collins mentions the moans in the crowd. Set play from Pritchard is low and cleared by the defender but would have been comfortable for the keeper unless it got a deflection. Resulting corner is looping and easy for the keeper to clear. 61 JC puts a good ball in the box which is cleared well with two of our lads about to tap home. Ball comes to Hume who makes the keeper make a good save. Resulting corner is better but nobody around where it lands. and O9 has a shocker with his header back to Patterson, Patto must do better for the challenge but it could be a foul and a goal kick. 63 and we have 6 players trying to press them in their own half. 64 poor cross in from Dan Neil from the left. 64:31 and Hull are having to defend with 10 players within 35 yards of their box. Clarke gets down the line and the pull back is deflected wide when Rusyn tried to flick it goalwards. Decent corner from Pritch results on a chance from Ballard which he really should have hit the target with. 66 cross from Neil caught by the keeper. Noticeable things are Pritchard and Bellingham are not pressing as much. We still have Rusyn harassing while a block of 4 close down their options. 67 and a shot from Jobe is deflected wide for a corner which is easily cleared. 68 wild shot from Ekwah after being encouraged by the crowd. 70 stupid header back from O9 to Patterson who should be punching rather than catching. Looks more of a foal from Sharp as he jumps into Patterson without making an attempt to win the ball. I'll also point out it was a goal kick as it came of Sharps head lol deal with the ball and Pritchard poor control goes to their lad and then the shot is going wide until it deflects off Neil. Totally MB's fault. 71 and the chants of being sacked start which is shocking considering the turn of events leading to the goal and how we've played. 72 good play from Hemir and we are playing good stuff and threatening 73 shot from Ekwah goes over and the boos ring out 75 and Collins mentions we were looking good until the unfortunate goal. 76 and Clarke deflected cross goes behind our 4 players in the box waiting for the cross. More moans from the fans lol 76:51 Pritchard on the edge of their box and his shot is blocked by Hull. They have 10 players behind the ball. 77 cross from Pritchard but it's straight at the keeper. Rosenior is trying to urge his players to get out. 78 shot from Hemir is way out and easy for the keeper. It was good running by Hume to get us up the pitch. 79 soft free kick given to Clarke down our left deep in their half. Poor ball in from Pritchard meets the first man. 80 **** from Dan Neil on his left peg goes wayward. Double change for us. 81 good little run from Pritchard finds Ba when it should have came out wide to the right as Ba is immediately challenged and we lose the ball. Neil wins it back Ba is played in and his cross is put wide by the keeper. The following corner is another let down. 83 and Hull have everyone behind the ball. 84 and Ba looks to have been body checked without any attempt from their lad to play the ball and ref says carry on. 85 another good ball in the box from Hume is blocked and put out for a corner. Ballard held and brought down from the following corner. I can't believe that wasn't spotted and a penalty given. Their lad has his back to the game and rugby tackles Ballard lol MB's fault though 89 ball into Hemir but the path to Pritchard in the box is blocked 89:57 cross from Neil headed away by on of their 9 players in the box. 90 cross from the left and Hemir nearly gets his head on it. At the same time Ballard is being grappled to the ground in the box. 91 Collins can't remember Hull doing anything other than the goal and 1 shot in the first half. 92 and two balls into the box from Pritchard. We are knocking on the door until Clarke is hit in the face only to do the same and foul is given to Hull. MB's fault 94 JC attacking their defence and gets our 12th corner. Ball in is decent but Patterson looks to stop Jobe getting his head on it. 95 and the whistle goes and the crowd goes off it. Overall we bossed the game, they should of had 1 maybe 2 reds, never a corner leading to their goal which only went in because of the deflection + we had a stonewall penalty that the officials fail to see. Ooohhh and this clueless muppet was wrong when I said we did press.
See Cov had a big bid for Rollheiser rumoured to be 9 million with add ons. Still gone on loan to Benfica though.
