Struggling at the moment so haven't been online for awhile. Going to have a read through what I have missed. Now my rant! Having watched a couple of Boro's games, I was expecting a reasonably easy win. Boro played out of their skins and grafted and thoroughly deserved the draw. Once again Richardson was absolutely dire, I defy any of his admirers to find one thing they could praise, about him, in that game. He had to be the worst player on the pitch by a country mile. His speed that everyone keeps defending him about was shown lacking on more than one occasion too. Once again McClean was doing all his graft for him, luckily for us the young lad has some engine on him. Just imagine what McClean could pull off, if he wasn't having to do all Ricco's work too. Mingolet should not be allowed to hoof the ball up the field he can't even get the ball in the same area as a Sunderland player never mind to one. Our 8 million pound man looked worth about 8 million pence. Yes I know Wickham is coming back from injury and he may come good, but I have yet to see anything in a Sunderland shirt that warranted the money spent on a prospect! We spent that money when we needed someone capable of getting goals. As for the midfield, never has Cattermoles grit and determination been so obviously missed as the other day! I have said before when people were having a pop at him, his rash tackles were usually when he was dashing to cover for other players. Since MON has been here he has no need to do that, as we are more organised. It turns out my call on Davies from Bolton is echoed by MON. Great minds eh? And you all poo pooed it when I mentioned it. No I'm not talking about Davies as our main striker, I'm talking about a stop gap and to be honest I can't think of anyone better to bring on Wickham. (He clearly needs some guidance on his Boro showing.) I also think Davies would be perfect alongside Cambell or Ji! Davies is one of those rare players who can receive the ball surrounded by defenders and come out with the ball under control, there are not many players can do what he does so well. MON is too savvy to do a Bruce and just throw money at players and hope they come good, so we may not see a lot of action in this window as he will want to have a better idea of the capabilities of the present squad. Hopefully he is also looking at a LB too, as the Boro game proved Ricco is not the answer. Any main targets I think MON will leave till the summer. I'm going for 3-0 for the replay.
like to see wor Jackie Colbeck at L/B did a decent job there, and at least he can pass, his pas rate completion is astonishing. Ps i missed you................................i was going to add something witty then remembered about your cutting wit
Back to Rico being played out of position, but also Boro played well, but we still dont have a goal scorer, an out an out striker. but we still have 25 hours [ german time ] left to get something sorted out, cross everything youve got.
Colback has done better there than Ricco and as you say he can find another red and white shirt. As for missing me nee tongues mind.
Bill it has nowt to do with his position he just isn't a very good footballer, imho. His passing and ball control wherever he plays is woeful.
My back has decided to give me more stick than usual, the Doc's given me stronger pain killers that help a bit, but I end up like a Zombie. He contacted the specialist at the hospital, all he told him is that he had warned me my back would only get worse years ago. Hopefully it will wear off a bit, after some more rest!
**** mate sounds bad, I have had a problem with my back and its horrible so I feel for you. I can't have a good arguement with you about Ricco because I did not see the game due to work. I agree with you on Davis though, a good stop gap and on Catts who I think is a quality player. I hope your back gets better soon.
Cheers mate, I know you like defending Ricco. I think even you would struggle to find any positives with Ricco in the Boro game though. I honestly don't think he managed a single pass to a Sunderland player. I watched the game twice as I recorded it for the lad coming back from the SOL. Being a builder I have had my share of slipped discs, they were bad enough. This is the actual vertebrae failing base of my spine! So he couldn't even offer me a spinal fusion, think Danny Dichio had one of those.
That sounds really nasty, lower back is agony because of all the nerves there, I really feel for you mate. Looks like MON has addressed the LB issue so Richardson will get his chance in his favoured position and then there will be no excuses.
Cheers mate, like you say lower back pain is hard to describe to anyone who hasn't suffered it in some way. The lack of sleep is wearing me down too. We have had our spats over Ricco before, and I have said often enough I would love him to prove me and all the rest of his doubters wrong. Sadly i Just haven't seen anything in the lads play to make me feel confident he is going to change.
....................................Great....Ive just heard on Talk Sport hes going for Frederic Piqquionne
