I suspect Hjelde is a better CB than LB, Hume always seems happy at LB ... ...after a shaky start Ballard settled everything down.
In my defense I was full of cheap foreign lager and vodka by that point but nicely spotted. Wasn't there a video of training where Seelt was in goal, maybe we can take Patterson out of that team and play rush goalie with Seelt going in!
Well aware what the game is called he a big lad the reason it wasn’t given was because the ball had got away from him,I know these commentators say he felt a touch and went down some referees might of given it but as much as I wanted a penna was never gona happen
The first 20 minutes were dire and it looked like we could be in for a hammering, but unlike some on here, the lads didn't give up, got themselves organised and made a real game of it. The second half was the way I would like to see us play from now on, the subs were made at the right time and gave the team a great boost. For all the criticism of Jobe, once he moved further back he played much better and the team looked more balanced. Adil should be our driving force, our Pritchard replacement, only potentially a lot better, and I absolutely loved everything about Rigg, who was amazing for a 16 year old, my boy of the match. For all the doom and gloom that some seem to love to wallow in, we do have a lot of talent and Rigg is a treasure we need to hold onto as long as possible. I don't know if you noticed, when he was subbed, he walked around the touchline to a massive round of applause, clapping to the fans all the way as he walked, I would say he's living the dream, the sort of thing that most of us would love to do.
Well I didn’t think there was enough in it Why is there not a penalty given every single corner in every single game for defenders hanging on to players when the corner is taken
I think a lot of the Dan Neil thing is down to who he has alongside him. Much better player when we attack teams and he is on the front foot. He needs an “Evans” in the team more than anyone else I think.
That doesn’t make it right though. If that happens outside the box, or by a striker on a defender, it is 100% given. Every time. Had that been onien defending, can guarantee fans would say “why is he doing that” or “that’s a pen he’s lucky” if it’s not given. Ref bottled it imo
Not read much of the thread but last night gave me a lot of hope. My take on it was that we were outplayed in the first half and I wasn't surprised. Leicester are where they are for a reason. Thought we were excellent in the 2nd half and I can now see us getting a few wins. That performance should help us get a bit of swagger back even with some of our quality players being injured.
Solid second half display last night, Adil showed played in the right areas can be a big difference in our team also how mature was that performance from a sixteen year old,take a bow riggy,hopefully finish the season strongly, think the remaining 5 home games are all teams below us
On 7th January 2023, Chris Rigg became Sunderland AFC’s youngest-ever outfield player at 15 years and 203 days. Fast forward 424 days and the now 16-year-old has made his first league cup start, his first Championship start and grabbed his first competitive goal. “This has been a dream come true for me. To see my name in the starting XI was a surreal moment," Rigg said. Interim Head Coach, Mike Dodds, handed the midfielder his first league start on Tuesday evening against former Premier League champions Leicester City. “I was eight years old when Jamie Vardy and Leicester won the Premier League and now I’m chasing him down to win the ball back," he continied. “I don’t tend to think about who I am playing against too much because I aim to go out there and compete at the highest level and give everything for Sunderland but that was a bit surreal. “We are disappointed with the defeat, and I believe we deserved a lot more from the game, but I really enjoy playing at the Stadium of Light and in front of our supporters. “There are positives to take, especially from the second half. We played with intensity that gives us a foundation to take into the next game.” It has been a season to remember for the Academy of Light graduate who has also found his feet on the international scene, representing England at the U17 World Cup in Indonesia. “If someone told me all of this would happen at the start of the campaign, I’d have bitten their hand off. “Doddsy spoke to me before the game and just said enjoy it. This is a real privilege for me. It is what I have dreamt of for a very long time. “I am so grateful for the opportunities and hope there are many more to come.”
Absolutely. Said it in the u18/u21 thread a few times, got no worries at all about him starting games for us in the Championship. Can use the ball really well, fearless and not afraid to get stuck in. Really hope he signs the pro deal.
He’s everything I want in a player attitude wise but with the skill to match, he’s definitely an enjoy him while he’s here type
Class read We’re having a rocky season but I hope we can get properly back on track, going forward. The club has the potential to grow quickly and I’d love to see Rigg play a major part.
24 hours on and a reflection. Was working in notts today. Couple of county fans watched it and said we deserved something from the game. About right in my opinion. First 15 was mad. Crazy setup and players everywhere but where they should have been. Somebody somewhere changed something though. We simply kept the ball for a bit, stopped their momentum, and grew into the game. It was good game mgt for the second 15 and then we had a foothold and Leicester needed to think more. Middle 30 mins a bit flat, neither side able to dominate the middle with (in my opinion) Neil and Dewsbury-hall cancelling each other out. It was a great contest to watch, with one on top then the other. Last 30 subs gave us momentum. Whilat I didnt think it was controlled momentum, it rattled them and pushed them backwards. Adil in particular was very good at bringing some urgency and quality. Best I have seen him and earned a chance to play the 10 role. Couple of players to pick out. One Notts County lad said to me Ballard would be first pick at Man Utd. Might not be far wrong. The lad is an absolute rock. Thought last nighy, for me, he was unbelievable. Rigg is a talent beyond his years. Folk know how much I think of Neil. This lad will be even better. What a talent. I do not believe in easing young lads in at all. Play them, if they are good enough. He is good enough, and if him and Neil have forged a bond, which based on Neils reaction when he was subbed they have, I would love to see them in our engine room. I like Jobe, Ekwah, Adil but lets be clear, Rigg is a much bigger talent than all of them Adil hasnt always impressed me. I k ow his stats are good, but to my eye he hasnt shone. Last night he did. Urgency, quality and some great fundamentals. He played a forward pass and followed it last night which made me smile. It is old school but always a good idea for a midfielder to follow their pass. He did infuriate me too mind, at one point he was in decent position in the box and the only optiom he didnt have was a shot but he took and hit a defender 2 yards in front of him. A couple of deadballs were naff as well, but many more positives. Performance to build on for sure. Tough next game, but the players should fear nobody.
