Match Day Thread Aston Villa FC v Sunderland AFC – Sunday 19th April 2026 - KO 14:00

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!

Your Prediction:

  • Total voters
    84
  • Poll closed .
Robertson said:
You must log in or register to see media

The inside story on what Granit Xhaka did to change the game for Sunderland at Villa

The extent to which the Black Cats turned the game on its head was still remarkable though, with skipper Granit Xhaka having led the fightback with some inspired speech-making.

“At 3-1, Granit had a talk in the middle of the pitch,” revealed Sadiki. “He told me, if we score once, there is hope to win the game. We scored once, then all of a sudden you are equal to them. It's 3-3, and then you have a last chance. You don't score it, then they punish you again.

“We were this close to getting a blowout, but we were also this close as well to winning the game. That’s the mixed feeling we have after the game, I think.

“It could have been 5-1 as well, but in the end we came so close. I think we showed mentality, we showed that we can do it, it's small margins.

“They punished our mistakes and that's why they’re a big team, that's why they’re in the top four right now. They have the players for it. We have as well, but we need to work on it. That’s the whole point for us.”

thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/26038296…
Click to expand...
I hope that's a clue that he's (Sadiki) staying in the summer to help "work on it."

Just shows the influence Xhaka has on the pitch. It says a lot, when we achieved better results during Afcon with 5 missing than we did when Xhaka was injured.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blond Bombshell, Gil T Azell, C Montgomery Burns and 5 others
Nads said:
I know we say it often, but it’s actually insane where we are as a club, it really is.

We aren’t an over performing team here we are a genuinely good side and we KNOW that Regis be backed in summer.

It’s just staggering where KLD has taken us.
Click to expand...
It takes some absorbing, it really does.

I've watched and enjoyed pretty well every match like most on here. Even when we've took a bit of a clipping, not a single head has ever went down and we always looked to try and get into the game.

We are already better than we were in August. Well keep getting better, they visibly learn all the time.

I'm most pleased for the supporters who just kept rolling up to see us falter or struggle against teams, some of who are now in League Two. And trailing around the country for midweek humiliations at similar.

They all kept the flame alight, and without it there would have been no potential to tempt KLD into coming. They can all enjoy that flame's glow now, they have earned it.

We are going to be what we can be. It's all I ever wanted to see, and when you look at so many similar size clubs, it was by no means bound to happen.

We're coming.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Blond Bombshell, Gil T Azell, vic9 and 10 others
rowley said:
It takes some absorbing, it really does.

I've watched and enjoyed pretty well every match like most on here. Even when we've took a bit of a clipping, not a single head has ever went down and we always looked to try and get into the game.

We are already better than we were in August. Well keep getting better, they visibly learn all the time.

I'm most pleased for the supporters who just kept rolling up to see us falter or struggle against teams, some of who are now in League Two. And trailing around the country for midweek humiliations at similar.

They all kept the flame alight, and without it there would have been no potential to tempt KLD into coming. They can all enjoy that flame's glow now, they have earned it.

We are going to be what we can be. It's all I ever wanted to see, and when you look at so many similar size clubs, it was by no means bound to happen.

We're coming.
Click to expand...
Tell you what, we’ve got a lot to thank Netflix/Fulwell 73 for.

That documentary was so raw and it made us far more attractive than the reality. KLD probably isn’t here without that.

The undying love and loyalty of the fans on that show was captured brilliantly and it’s not a small part in all of this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hudson92, Blond Bombshell, Gil T Azell and 10 others
rowley said:
It takes some absorbing, it really does.

I've watched and enjoyed pretty well every match like most on here. Even when we've took a bit of a clipping, not a single head has ever went down and we always looked to try and get into the game.

We are already better than we were in August. Well keep getting better, they visibly learn all the time.

I'm most pleased for the supporters who just kept rolling up to see us falter or struggle against teams, some of who are now in League Two. And trailing around the country for midweek humiliations at similar.

They all kept the flame alight, and without it there would have been no potential to tempt KLD into coming. They can all enjoy that flame's glow now, they have earned it.

We are going to be what we can be. It's all I ever wanted to see, and when you look at so many similar size clubs, it was by no means bound to happen.

We're coming.
Click to expand...

Right. It's people like us and the thousands that never lay down and shut up the way we were supposed to, even when I think most outside of Sunderland thought that we looked stupid and were a bit sad in hanging on. The thing that attracts KLD and the like was that giving up was never really and option, but the slog has been tough so much of the time. A Ballard-like goal or a Kevin Phillips every 10 years is what we've had to keep us going, plus the wins against that mags. I'm not sure I can fully imagine what it would be like to be successful. I really want the next 50 years to be so much better than the last 50.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Durham Ranger, Blond Bombshell, Gil T Azell and 5 others
Nads said:
Tell you what, we’ve got a lot to thank Netflix/Fulwell 73 for.

That documentary was so raw and it made us far more attractive than the reality. KLD probably isn’t here without that.

The undying love and loyalty of the fans on that show was captured brilliantly and it’s not a small part in all of this.
Click to expand...
Yep - ultimately they are hear because we are

edit: here!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Gil T Azell, C Montgomery Burns, Whittylad and 3 others
Robertson said:
You must log in or register to see media

The inside story on what Granit Xhaka did to change the game for Sunderland at Villa

The extent to which the Black Cats turned the game on its head was still remarkable though, with skipper Granit Xhaka having led the fightback with some inspired speech-making.

“At 3-1, Granit had a talk in the middle of the pitch,” revealed Sadiki. “He told me, if we score once, there is hope to win the game. We scored once, then all of a sudden you are equal to them. It's 3-3, and then you have a last chance. You don't score it, then they punish you again.

“We were this close to getting a blowout, but we were also this close as well to winning the game. That’s the mixed feeling we have after the game, I think.

“It could have been 5-1 as well, but in the end we came so close. I think we showed mentality, we showed that we can do it, it's small margins.

“They punished our mistakes and that's why they’re a big team, that's why they’re in the top four right now. They have the players for it. We have as well, but we need to work on it. That’s the whole point for us.”

thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/26038296…
Click to expand...
I have this feeling about what the club has in store for Xhaka for the future.
A few months ago RLB and the club let his assistant go and they haven't replaced that position.
If the club continues it's current trajectory I can see maybe in the next two years Xhaka will also take the position of assistant coach.
There he can take all his courses through EUFA.
I believe long term he will be RLB's successor.
This guy is immense and I don't believe we have ever had anyone like him ever.
He's clearly bought into the club....a bit like the affect the club had on Sir Nial.
Interesting times a head.....HTL!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DH4, Montysoptician, Gil T Azell and 9 others
LAMackem said:
I have this feeling about what the club has in store for Xhaka for the future.
A few months ago RLB and the club let his assistant go and they haven't replaced that position.
If the club continues it's current trajectory I can see maybe in the next two years Xhaka will also take the position of assistant coach.
There he can take all his courses through EUFA.
I believe long term he will be RLB's successor.
This guy is immense and I don't believe we have ever had anyone like him ever.
He's clearly bought into the club....a bit like the affect the club had on Sir Nial.
Interesting times a head.....HTL!!!!
Click to expand...
Right. I liked it when he said something like that he came from the same sort of town. He could go anywhere he wants but after the $ and career opportunities are taken care of, you are going to stay where you feel comfortable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gil T Azell, C Montgomery Burns, Whittylad and 3 others
LAMackem said:
I have this feeling about what the club has in store for Xhaka for the future.
A few months ago RLB and the club let his assistant go and they haven't replaced that position.
If the club continues it's current trajectory I can see maybe in the next two years Xhaka will also take the position of assistant coach.
There he can take all his courses through EUFA.
I believe long term he will be RLB's successor.
This guy is immense and I don't believe we have ever had anyone like him ever.
He's clearly bought into the club....a bit like the affect the club had on Sir Nial.
Interesting times a head.....HTL!!!!
Click to expand...
Does O9 then become his assistant?
This assumes that RLB moves up to director of football
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gil T Azell, C Montgomery Burns, Whittylad and 2 others
LAMackem said:
If it were to happen then Xhaka's choice of his assistant will be his....
Click to expand...
Absolutely. But I think Luke has to stay in some capacity. His footy knowledge is superb from the videos you watch. He knows how tough it is to work on improving.

That might be rose tinted from me, as he is absolutely my favourite ever Sunderland player!
 
  • Like
Reactions: safcfansofaraway, LAMackem, Gil T Azell and 4 others
LAMackem said:
I have this feeling about what the club has in store for Xhaka for the future.
A few months ago RLB and the club let his assistant go and they haven't replaced that position.
If the club continues it's current trajectory I can see maybe in the next two years Xhaka will also take the position of assistant coach.
There he can take all his courses through EUFA.
I believe long term he will be RLB's successor.
This guy is immense and I don't believe we have ever had anyone like him ever.
He's clearly bought into the club....a bit like the affect the club had on Sir Nial.
Interesting times a head.....HTL!!!!
Click to expand...
What exactly are those coaching courses?
They sound like a load of bollox to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Whittylad
Danube said:
What exactly are those coaching courses?
They sound like a load of bollox to me.
Click to expand...
They might well be. But you cannot manage a club (or be head coach) without them. I did level one and two when I coached my sons under 13s (and 14s and 15s in subsequent years) . Really informative and really learned a hell of a lot.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: LAMackem, C Montgomery Burns and smithy in nl
marcusblackcat said:
Absolutely. But I think Luke has to stay in some capacity. His footy knowledge is superb from the videos you watch. He knows how tough it is to work on improving.

That might be rose tinted from me, as he is absolutely my favourite ever Sunderland player!
Click to expand...
I certainly want o9 in the mix and definitely will be involved in some capacity I hope!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Danube and Makemstine Roger
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back