Simple really...

Strikeforce is ****e, and that's what's wrong.



SEB LARSSON today delivered a damning verdict on Sunderland’s attacking threat – admitting the Black Cats simply aren’t up to scratch.


Top scorer Larsson’s eighth minute strike in Saturday’s clash with Wigan should have prompted a rout from the hosts, given Sunderland were facing a ragged side at the foot of the Premier League, who had managed just two away goals all season.

But Sunderland failed to add to their tally during a dominant opening spell and were punished by Jordi Gomez’s penalty on the stroke of half-time and Franco Di Santo’s stoppage time winner – to leave the Stadium of Light calling for the head of boss Steve Bruce.

Although Larsson reiterated his belief that Bruce should stay at the helm, the Swedish midfielder insists Sunderland must face the truth of their inadequacies up front.

Larsson told the Echo: “We’re just not good enough in the final third, let’s be honest.

“No disrespect to Wigan, but we should be winning those types of games.

“We got off to the start we needed and the one we wanted to.

“We could have been two or three up after the opening 30 minutes, but that’s been our problem all season. We don’t take our chances.

“We don’t put the game beyond doubt and we did the same thing again.

“They got a penalty and in the second half, it gets nervy and edgy. When we got down the sides of them, we weren’t good enough.””

The 26-year-old added: “I still believe he’s (Bruce) the right man for the job.

“But I’m not surprised by how the fans reacted.

“We lost a game at home that we should have won if we want to get to where we want to be.

“We have to take a long look at ourselves and see why things are going the way they are.

“That’s the Achilles heel, because we haven’t conceded that many goals.”

 

He knows it, we know it, Bruce knows it, the Board knows it...so my questions are:

1. Why not pay more to keep Bent?
2. After not paying more to keep Bent, why not have his replacement lined up and ready to sign the first day of the summer's transfer window?
3. Why did no one know until the last minute Gyan was leaving?

Now to me to wait until January to get a new striker is too late, we have so many games coming up between now and close of the window, we could be too far behind by then to attract anyone decent and/or make up the lost points.

I am really concerned now, make no mistakes we will be fighting for our lives again this season.

 

The answer to all of those would appear to be that Short is penny pinching, simple as.

 

Perhaps...some of our signings did seem a bit budget, although having said that Larsonn was free and Brown very cheap and have been our best 2 new players.

We need to spend big in January, simple as.

 

Wouldn't hold your breath mate, am i the only one who thinks the problems may go beyond the manager?

 

Something seems wrong...but think it is just general lack of confidence, and that's what a good manager brings with them.

Look at Spurs 3 years ago under Ramos and how that changed the day Redknapp came. Therefore it can make a massive and instant impact.

 

Here's hoping mate, fingers and toes crossed.

 

Indeed. We seem to be far too negative around here, I try and look at the positives:

- Our squad is decent, and the quality is still there whoever is in charge - we just need more offensive options
- We have the infrastructure, support and investment to look attractive to players and managers
- We still have plenty of time to turn things around. Indeed 2 consecutive wins and we will be right back in the mix
- Of all our defeats this season, we haven't been thrashed - we've got the best g/d in the bottom half which suggests our results don't necessarilly reflect our performances (as Bruce says)

I say we give Bruce 2 more games and take it from there. In the meantime, let us support team and manager 100% and try to enjoy ourselves in the meantime.

 

I agree with what you say, apart from highlighted part mate...

 

Changing the manager is a big risk. I think that even if we won those 2 games, it still might not stop the rot, but equally if we changed now then even if we appointed a new manager tomorrow there is no guarantee we would win come the weekend. My analogy with Spurs might not be a good one, as they brought in Harry who is a great manager and great fit for the club. Would we have anyone like that waiting in the wings? I am still not certain MON is that person.

 

Ar mate reservations about MoN....many have...some think the sun shines out of his arse....eh lads.

MoN is a forward step by far, we may not agree on that, and he would not be my first choice, bit certainly a decent manager, and definetly a step forward.

Tide is a-change mate, for the good of the club, let's move on....and just say "thanks Steve, you took us forward, but as far as you could, best wishes"

 

Everyone with half a braincell can see we need a goalscorer in the team. If we only had a young, hungry, home-grown talent on absolutely incredible scoring form and determined to prove himself in front of his home crowd... If only it weren't for that Premier League minimum weight restriction, right brucey? Stupid twat.

 

spot on mate Nobels under his nose and wont play him