Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v West Ham - Saturday 16th August 2025 - KO 15:00

Unbelievable start yesterday. With Burnley away, Brentford home, Palace away be nice to get say another 5 points on the board before we start hitting some tougher games.

 

We win all them which is doable well equal derby's low points total anyway that's our first target

 

Wow, a match day thread without any bickering.

Well done lads, I would have settled for a point before the game and at half time.

My thoughts at the time were, we need time to gel and settle in, West Ham dominated in large parts and had the better chances, you could see they had experienced Premier League players.

Then the second half they started to tire, run out of ideas and we choked the supply to Bowen, they looked disinterested and out of ideas. We'd just started.

It was like watching a school bully get humbled and leave with his tail between his legs.

 

If someone told me this time last year that I'd be upset because Man City knocked us off the top of the Premier League, I'd have thought they were on drugs

 

That’s the most insane part of it.

Sadiki has come in and blown the coaching staff and Regis away clearly. Enzo was ‘Regis man’ and he’s benched.

Rigg as well to make his mark, CM is stacked.

Not one of us should now fear any weakness in the back 4, Seelt was good but we seen straight away Alderete is levels up. Nordi to come as well.

 

Us fans can get carried away and so we should but what’s great is Regis’ calm style will keep the lads on an equilibrium.

37 cup finals left.

Even if we lose next week I think a lot of us would have taken 3 points from the opening two games. 3 points are on the board and nothing is taking that away.

Til the end. Every single game.

 

Just a word for the West Ham fans. I was right next to them and thought they were fantastic. First half they didn’t shut up. Second half they were drowned out by the sheer noise from us and frankly they had nothing to sing about.

Bumped into loads of them on the way up and way back at service stations and no hint of trouble and kind words shared.

As we sang to them “it’s a long way back to London when you’re ****” and as I got home at 22:45 I did spare a thought for them still travelling at that time knowing they’d been outclassed, outthought and outfought. Long season for them I think.

 

Still floating here. My thoughts on the game:

At half time I was loosing my bottle a bit. Thought they controlled it, won all the second balls and thought seelt and Mandava were having a tough time against Bowen. Thought we lost the midfield battle and their centre backs looked units. Ballards block was just incredible defending. Thought diarra was really good first half and should have scored.

Second half though, I think West Ham gassed out and ran out of ideas. Frustration set in and we just found that confidence to try and win the game. Alderete looked class, diarra was brilliant and xhaka started to control things. Shout out to the two wide lads who I thought were class out of possession and then hugely effective in it second half.

3 brilliant goals. Some brilliant organisation and discipline and of course a lot of heart and spirit to go through the tough moments, hold on and then take our moments.

An unforgettable day. Long way to go, full focus needed for Burnley now. Haway the lads.

 

Imagine if somebody had told you after the playoff final that Xhaka was the third best centre midfielder out of our midfield 3 on opening day and neither of the two who exceeded him were ELF

 

Madness.

I did think that Diouf lad for them looked a player mind. Faded as game went on but he looked like he has a bit.

 

Just watched the highlights on the match of the day re run.

Noticed the possession stats and was suprised a bit, it didnt feel at the match that West Ham had more possession or control.

Felt to me that we were so well organised and hard working that we contained them well away from our goal even first half I didn't feel worried.

All 3 goals were really good and well taken and our pace on the break is frightening.

What a team performance, what a day, what a noise.

 

Utter madness. Can't believe it. Hope he plays a big part mind, when he plays goals will follow.

 

On another note: The double edged sword.

Our players haven't played together in the league and don't have that Premier League experience.

Our players are an unknown quantity because they've never played in the League and other teams have little to analyse. (Apart their previous clubs with varying tactics)

 

Is this Rooney trying to include Mr Shearer in the conversation on MOTD

 

don’t get me wrong Xhaka was an 8/10 and controlled the game but Diarra and Sadiki were 9/10 for me. Just everywhere at all times. Off the ball work was ridiculous.

 

Really good quick analogy of the game

 

I agree but I also think that they were allowed the space to work because of Xhaka.
Off the ball last season we were fantastic and it got us promoted. Off the ball yesterday Xhaka was outstanding
And is probably worth a watch back, he orchestrated and dictated that second half.

 

Even in the first half we didn’t look out of place being there. This is what happens when you sign players with international, CL and top flight experience. A team full of top end championship players have to play out of their skins where we looked comfortable.

 

Which is what happened when Jack Clark played for us. As talented as he is, under Mowbray this was the main tactic for us. Teams figured out that if they doubled up on him we were the weaker for it. With Regis he knows when to change it up and with which players to do it with.
To be honest, I’m disgusted with this new type of football we’re playing. I want the old Sunderland back where we were signing has beens and never was’s on the last day of the transfer window. At least then we knew what we were getting. This new Sunderland with responsible ownership, good players and a head coach with good tactical acumen just isn’t right!