Andy’s Player Ratings: South Shields 0-5 Sunderland - New era starts with a comfortable victory Sunderland got off to a flamboyant start to pre-season with a thumping victory against South Shields. Here’s how Andy rated the Lads! By Andy Tomlinson@SAFCsource Jul 13th, 2024, 2:32pm BST Blondy Nna Noukeu: 6/10 Unfortunately for the trialist we completely dominated this game and he had very little to do. He did look calm in possession and not overly eager to impress. Trai Hume: 7/10 Absolutely nothing to do defensively, but got on the scoresheet after his effort from inside the box took a deflection and looped into the top corner. Dan Ballard: 7/10 Cruised through the game, with his most notable moments coming in the opposition box when he was causing problems at set pieces. Leo Hjelde: 6/10 Comfortable defensively, a little bit loose with his passing at times, but never really tested. Joe Anderson: 7/10 Got up and down the line all afternoon in support of Mundle, whipped in one really good cross that Rigg headed over, but like Hjelde there was some loose passing. Dan Neil (C): 8/10 Head and shoulders above the South Shields players who couldn’t get near him, and he controlled the game at walking pace. Chris Rigg: 8/10 Was given the freedom to get forward with Neil sitting, and used that freedom to great effect, scoring one goal after getting on the end of Mayenda’s pass and he could easily have had one or two more. Another shot was saved in the first half and he headed over Anderson’s cross after the break. Patrick Roberts: 8/10 Most of our attacks came down the other side, but Roberts still popped up with a goal and an assist. Scored the opener after winning the ball in the box and passing the ball home, then set up Hume for his goal. Adil Aouchiche: 8/10 Buzzed around in the number 10 position, causing problems with his movement and link up play. Got a deserved goal as he followed up after Mayenda’s shot hit the post. Romaine Mundle: 8/10 Caused all sorts of problems for the home side’s right back, showing good variety by cutting inside and going down the line. Had one effort early on that hit the crossbar and was involved with the fifth after his good cross found Mayenda. Eliezer Mayenda: 9/10 Really good showing, tirelessly closed down and was always a threat with his pace. Won and then converted a penalty, won the ball in the opposition box, then while he was still on the ground played in Rigg for his goal. He hit the post from a Mundle cross, which saw Aouchiche score from the rebound, and he had a goal disallowed for offside after playing in Rigg and following up. Substitutes Ben Crompton: 7/10 Replaced Ballard at half-time and did a good job - never gave South Shields a sniff. Luis Hemir: 6/10 Put some effort in, but the game was won at half-time and he had little to work with. Caden Kelly: 6/10 Linked up play well after he came on for Rigg. Tom Watson: 7/10 Immediately caused problems after coming on, driving at the full back, and almost got an assist after picking out Walsh. Olly Bainbridge: 6/10 A couple of drives forward from left-back to support Watson. Tom Lavery: 6/10 Not tested at right back, but tidy in possession. Luke Bell: 6/10 Had little to do defensively with Sunderland dominating. Cuba Mitchell: 6/10 Looked neat and tidy in the middle of the park, sitting in front of the back four. Rhys Walsh: 7/10 Looked very pacey down the right wing and looked to put crosses in quickly - unlucky not to score when his effort was blocked on the line. Harrison Jones: 6/10 A typically tidy display as Sunderland controlled the game. Man of the Match: Eliezer Mayenda Man of the match could have been any of the forward players, but it was an impressive game by Mayenda. Scored a penalty that he won himself after Aouchiche spotted his run in behind and was fouled in the box, hit the post from a Mundle cross that resulted in Aouchiche’s goal, had an ambitious effort from miles out that went wide, and set up Rigg for the third of the game despite still being on the floor after winning the ball in the 18-yard box. It might have just been a friendly against non-league opposition, but still a really good performance by a number 9, and that’s not something that we said much last season. please log in to view this image
Yep I just think Mayenda is way more suited to the high press. He runs all over and was relentless. Also liked the confident he had to body feint onto his weaker foot to get a shot off. Also thought his in the box movement was great (hitting the post and the offside rebound)
He covers the ground very quickly and likes a tackle ... ... two great attributes if we're going to press teams. If he can be coached to get his head up, in possession, and make the right choices he'll get as many assists as goals imo. I'd love him to be a good CF, for us, but could be great playing behind a big 'target man' in some games.
2nd half was always going to be a 'tamer' game when we were 0-5 up, but good to see the lads out again and giving us a wee glimpse of what RLB will be trying. looking forward to the heed game, think they will want to provide a sterner test but i dare say mayenda and mundle have put themselves into the picture already.
Obviously kind of an insignificant preseaon game but that's encouraging all the same. Good to see Mayenda in the action, hoping Young gets some game time before he goes out on loan.
Can you order them big stickers from Gateshead. Pleased to see Circin and Bennette playing btw ... ... one could make a big contribution, the other could be a great sub while he's learning his trade.
He won't work at all, that's the problem. He can't cope with the English style and I'm sad to say that I don't think he will ever adjust to English football. Just my opinion of course.
Mine too. Would be away if I was making the call. I seen enough of Greame Murty trying to motivate him weekly for the under 21s.
