Enjoyed how we controlled the area of the pitch the game was played in yesterday. Controlled the game without necessarily controlling possession. Stoke completed 372 passes to our 296, yet 176 of ours were in the Stoke half and 113 of them were in the Stoke defensive third, which is a crazy amount. Stoke completed 227 passes in their own half, with just 145 in our half and of them 57 in our defensive third. The majority of the play whether it was us or Stoke on the ball was in their half, that's what you call controlling the game. We also had 48 touches in their box compared to their 28. We were excellent. 4-0 wouldn't have flattered us.
Not meaning to put a dampener on things but I’m pretty sure that if you look at Stoke in general since Pelach came in they more often than not concede that sort of territory, shots against and chances against.
I can understand why XG is something clubs look at, but it seems to have little relevance to what I see on the pitch and I'm comfortable ignoring it entirely.
Watching the highlights of Bristols game at Portsmouth I wouldn't wouldn't be surprised if we pressed higher on Tuesday, as they try to play out from the back and got caught a number of times.
Yeah thats fair. Thought their approach to the game was a bit strange, wanted to dominate the ball but didn't press us at all and just dropped into their box whenever we crossed the halfway line. They have good players in my opinion so don't need to be playing like that.
Stats are fine except when people use them to contradict what everyone can actually see … … like Brendan Rodgers after Swansea came to Sunderland and had twice our passes and 80% possession. ‘“It is great for the public here at Sunderland to see us,” said manager Brendan Rodgers. “They must have been wondering what this team everyone is talking about are all about and now they have seen. We were wonderful.’ They lost 2-0
Apparently I was wrong, Harte does not represent Tommy Watson! Just rumours circulating after Harte’s tweet!
Bloke is the scum of football! Much like a lot of agents! Sad problem with the game and the money in it
I think Danny Grahams agency might represent Watson, not sure if it's his agency or he just works there but think he has something to do with Watson
Danny Graham who got pissed up and drove his car through a shop window and lucky he didn't kill anyone is a football agent and representing young footballers? ****ing bell I knew that industry was a cess pit but **** me! P.S. I'd happily be paid a small fortune to do their job, glorified recruitment agents aren't they?
FOR Tommy Watson and his family, there were two reasons to celebrate on Saturday night. Not only was the Sunderland winger the star and two-goal hero as the Black Cats got back to winning ways against Stoke City, but to make the occasion extra special it came on his younger brother Luke's 12th birthday. Luke, a boyhood Sunderland fan like his older brother who is now shining for the club he loves, was in the stands and received a special gift after the game - Tommy's shirt. He'll want one of his own in the future, for Luke plays for Sunderland's academy, as does Tommy's eight-year-old youngest brother Quite the gifted family, then. "My dad was more of a Sunday League player to be honest," laughed Watson after his Man of the Match display against Stoke. "He was a hard tackling centre-half so I don't know where my genetics came from!" Stoke's tacklers couldn't stop Watson on Saturday "That winning goal is what you picture in your mind, that late winner," he said. "I wish it was at the other end but a knee slide in wet conditions, it's just perfect." Watson's birthday gift for his brother could have been the match-ball, for he missed a glorious second half chance, but for the 18-year-old the only emotion after the game was delight - and that's how it's been for a number of weeks since he made the first team breakthrough he's been threatening for the last couple of years. He said: "It's been quite frustrating as a young kid because you feel ready even though you're probably not. But I'm really happy with how it's all happened and I'm blessed with the group of lads in the dressing room in my breakthrough season." Boss Regis Le Bris loves Watson's direct approach and his desire to run at defenders, and the winger said: "That's what I'm all about and I think I'm now ready to start contributing with more goals and assists. "I want to be the main man here, scoring and assisting as much as I can." Jack Clarke was Sunderland's main man last season and, with Watson playing in the same position there's been inevitable comparisons. But the teenager said: "I liked the stuff he was doing and the way he attacked his man and contributed to the team with goals and assists but I think we're different players. "I'm probably more explosive I think but as long as I can make an impact like he did I'll be happy. But I do want to try and take my name away from that and make my own name."
Surprised at how confident he came across looked a quiet shy lad, looking forward to seeing him in the flesh for the first time properly tomorrow
What really annoys me if when the likes of Ian Wright say, "He should've been looking along the line to see if he was offside!" FFS, we're dealing with tiny fractions being the difference ... ... and the line is constantly changing at high speed, not freeze framed in a cosy studio. I'd bet around 30% of Wright's goals would be chalked off these days.
I'm finding an issue with the over analysis of mistakes to be fair. Someone will score from 40 yards out and they'll turn around and say a defending player should've stopped the shot. I saw Patto get stick on Saturday, but when I saw it he had very little chance of being able to push that ball wide given the distance he was from Koumas.
