Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Real Betis FC - Saturday 2nd August 2025 - KO 15:00

[Hudson92]

What’s a Pit Pony?

Beer in sheepfolds, very good and a fiver a pint

 

[Roker end 79]

Beer in sheepfolds, very good and a fiver a pint

I'd faint at paying that price

 

[FellTop]

I would definitely want Diarra deeper and more involved when we have the ball. A bit anonymous today, which is thr exact opposite of what he should be for us.

 

[MadMackem77]

I would definitely want Diarra deeper and more involved when we have the ball. A bit anonymous today, which is thr exact opposite of what he should be for us.

I don’t agree, we’ve got players to do that

he looks anonymous today because we’ve played him deeper previously, but he’s playing well in that role today

 

[Jarca]

I would definitely want Diarra deeper and more involved when we have the ball. A bit anonymous today, which is thr exact opposite of what he should be for us.

We definitely need a quality 10 for that role

 

[The Legendary Tongue]

What’s a Pit Pony?

It’s hung like a horse

 

[FellTop]

I don’t agree, we’ve got players to do that

he looks anonymous today because we’ve played him deeper previously, but he’s playing well in that role today

Not for me mate. Opinions eh. His press isnt accurate enough, but that isnt the big issue. It is just that he should be more integral to how we build our play. For me anyway.

 

[Smug in Boots]

Just watched the first half and to be honest I have Been impressed by the shape and the speed of thought by the players. The ball seems to be moving quicker and the passes seem less obvious than they were.
Don't get me wrong there are still some fine tuning to do over the next couple of weeks but from what I can see we seem organised and there have been flashes of what I think we will look like on opening day.

Quite right, it would be daft making too many judgements at the moment …

… we have lots of new players all of whom need to find ways to play together.

It also seems clear that RLB is deliberately holding back with some of our play and not ‘giving the game away’, same goes for our corner routines and free kicks.

 

[Hannah1989]

Couple more additions and this is pretty close to the opening 11 against West Ham

 

[Frazier the Lion]

He didn't no, and I think he's right footed which makes it more impressive

Always thought he was a lefty. He’s doing well mind.

 

[Essayyeffcee]

Always thought he was a lefty. He’s doing well mind.

I must admit I thought the same, he's used his left foot quite a bit from what I've seen and I thought that was his stronger foot

 

[MadMackem77]

How old is Isco? He’s still class

 

[Brainman]

Definitely the makings of a team. Granit a Rolls Royce.

 

[Frazier the Lion]

Not for me mate. Opinions eh. His press isnt accurate enough, but that isnt the big issue. It is just that he should be more integral to how we build our play. For me anyway.

Even last season, pushing a midfielder into the front two to press hurt the midfielder who was asked to do it. Rigg probably the one who stood up to it best, but I wonder if that was as much to do with lower expectation of impact as a 17 year old. There are other ways we could maintain that shape without pushing a midfielder into unfamiliar territory. Think we’ve missed the chance to try it now, though.

 

[FellTop]

I do like Sadiki when he makes those forward runs, need an overload option and he looks to read that well

 

[Isidor’s Bane]

Xhaka reminds me of Jan Kirchhoff, just seems to have so much more time than everybody else on the ball.

 

[Smug in Boots]

Definitely the makings of a team. Granit a Rolls Royce.

Yeah, that's all it is at the moment
…

… if Le Fée comes on now it’ll all shuffle round again.

 

[Frazier the Lion]

Not sure about that one mind

 

[RTB]

Offside
Shame

 

[SourPatch2]

Would like to see a better angle of that, looked onside