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

I think we’ve created chances and have done all pre season

my worry is Mayendas box movement

 

How many offsides?!

 

Possibly. Feels like a dangerous game though. We’re gonna have a Chelsea sized bomb squad at this rate.

 

Xhaka looks so comfortable

 

Still a few players to come back in the squad for West Ham plus a couple signings

I get your worry but imo no point playing a player you don’t plan on using when the people on the pitch arent playing at full intensity

they won’t get tired and they get time to get used to each other

 

Was Adingra off? Couldn’t see from my seat

 

Didn't show a replay but I didn't think so

 

We’re not gonna get away with a group of 16 preferred players though. We can’t afford RLB to replicate his squad management from last season - nor can we afford to carry 20 pros sat in the stands each week. He may not want to rely on some of these, but he may well have to at some point.

 

Enjoyed that, we do need a CB though

 

Quite telling 0 minutes for Neil mind

 

I didn't think so, that lino got a few wrong for me

 

FT 0-1
Good run out and not the end of the world as we know it

 

Much better than hull, xhaka and reinildo made a massive difference, more depth in attack and defence and I’ll be very happy

 

Plenty of positives, inevitably the odd weakness still but would like to see some goals going in for confidence

Xhaka looks a class above

 

Thought that was fine. A lot of positives, I love Xhaka already, Reinildo looked solid, Roefs looks comfortable and loved the way he sweeps, Sadiki looked good. Loved the build up play.

Need a CB as soon as possible, preferably so they can play one of the games next weekend.

I really think it's the end of the road for Neil and Roberts. Very telling that they didn't get on at all today. Can add Browne in there but I thought he'd be away this summer anyway.

 

I really like roefs

 

Subject to being made to look a liar on the last few minutes. My take

Weak defending for the goal. We know we’ve got changes to make there but the cross had no pressure and the header had no pressure. We need a dominant defensive leader. Jones has done canny but can’t start.

Midfield we’ve looked strong against a good side and that’s where we’ve done the spending.

Up front Guiu to come and we need that better quality there while Mayenda adjusts upwards. On form a fit Wilson would have started. I’d say we also need a bit of quality attacking wise in the 10. People saying defence is the priority but I think if we have better quality up top today we win the game today.

lastly, harsh I know but how nice is it to see a keeper with the ball at his feet without feeling anxious

 

Shame about the score but a very decent performance. New CB and we will be solid. Aim of the game is to score though and can't see where the goals are coming from. Would make a centre forward a priority

 

We had 3 players on the bench that could’ve came on imo and all 3 will be sold. We will have a squad of about 20/21 players that WILL be used

 

Really good summary mate, liked reinildo but want a centre half in for West Ham move him to full back and we have a shout