No arguments here! Although we don’t have many options for his spot sadly!! As for the not taking the option, I e often watched him shoot because there are none! Catch 22 sadly! Hopefully things turn around. He’s got unbelievable quality on the ball, and obviously has ability as shown with Amad! Just wish he could rediscover it.
Roberts has good back up with Rigg and Hume down that right side, yet he under peforms in every game he plays, one way or another we have to replace him.
They were winning against promotion contenders and that would secure their place in the division. It was bound to be noisy we’d be the same. The second leg at the SoL will be bouncing.
Not too sure. Would’ve obviously liked him to parry it wider but the reaction from our outfield players is rubbish
Just seen that for the first time. Think it would be harsh to blame Patto. Completely agree that the hunger and reaction of our players to follow in and defend is poor.
Its a bit like the one Onana was blamed for not long ago, even though the defenders were equally if not more to blame for the lack of reaction.
The Sunderland players are totally static, in the wall, facing away from goal. The Oxford players are already running towards the goal and at least level with the wall. (One or two may even be offside when the ball is struck, can't really tell.) It's literally impossible for anyone, in the wall facing the ball, to turn, start to run and catch up with players running past them. I'm not saying it's properly defended but there's some luck involved ... ... lucky it went through the wall and lucky it came virtually square on to Patterson so very difficult to palm to either side. Not great defending but not as bad as it's possible to spin in my opinion.
Also not much different to hundreds of other goals this season. If defenders turn to run as a ball is struck, and the ball comes off the wall and falls to the opponent, then we end up with the opposite scenario, and people blaming the defenders. It’s a tactic of attacking teams to run as the ball is struck, very few defending teams employ the same tactic as it’s not logical (imo) Also, the free kick was literally given for nothing! As was the one leading to their first goal!
In addition no one knew if they’d pass the ball, float one in or try for the top corner … … if it's ‘over the wall’ it’s important the defenders stand rigid to help the keeper. Sometimes it’s not possible to defend every goal, this is one in my opinion.
I think Patti should’ve held it personally. Into his body it shouldn’t be bouncing off, They work on those before the match, obviously not with a wall, but similar principle. Just an opinion mind and something I worked on with keepers when I used to coach to under 16s
Heated words at HT and FT says Mepham... “Nowhere near the level, but we've got some massive games coming up now, and I think that's the most important thing for us. We're not happy with the run we've been on, but as long as it's an opportunity to reflect and a learning curve for us, that's the most important thing, and hopefully we can give a really good account of ourselves going forward.” Hhhaaa'wwwwaaaaayyyyyy the lads
Tickets look to be selling well for Saturday not many together in the lower bowl when I checked earlier, can’t wait for it personally
Patterson might’ve held it although it was a powerful low shot which makes it difficult … … personally I blame the players in the wall for blocking his view
I’m right up for it now as well. I can’t see many QPR coming up though … … at least it’ll make the Metro easier.
Be amazed if they sell a block, I think we’ll approach it with the right attitude too and get a performance, just a shame it’s an early kick off
Sunderland captain Dan Neil has revealed frustrations were aired in the dressing room after the Black Cats suffered a fourth successive defeat against Oxford United on Saturday. Neil told BBC Radio Newcastle: "Things were said in the dressing room which I think are good for the squad to be honest. "We don't have long left til the play-offs to figure out what's happened in the last few weeks. So I think everyone laid it out on the line in the dressing room. I think that's a good thing for the squad." Neil said: "I'm not worried in the slightest for the next few weeks. We haven't become a bad team overnight. We haven't comfortably finished fourth and been disappointed with not giving the top two a run without all this hard work this year. "We know we're a good team. We know on our day we can beat anybody in this league. I think you've seen in all the big games this year we've turned up and I have no doubt in this squad that we're going to turn up for the biggest game of not just the season but our careers so far. "It's just about everyone sticking together, everybody associated with the club sticking together. We'll be ready for the play-offs." "It was alright. Obviously there will be frustration. There will be people getting behind us. That's all kind of natural. "We understand that the fans will be frustrated over the last few weeks but looking at the bigger picture, we have got the biggest game of the season coming up very soon and we need everybody to be behind each other. "Like I said, they're going to be frustrated after the last few results and don't get me wrong, it was mentioned in the changing room about the fans and how they've travelled everywhere with us this year and supported us through it all. "We need one last push from them and I've got no doubt that they're going to do that and we're going to do everything we possibly can in the build-up to the play-offs and when it comes round, try to get the best outcome."
Sums up our attitude for the match , not one player but three players and not one of ours . The lad taking the free kick scored a worldie the week before so we should have had a good idea that he can really strike the ball which he did . Reaction from our players absolutely zilch .
