Despite what the commentators are saying, that was a hard fought point against a good Sunderland side (on their day). They were over-physical today and our passing was poor (although apparently the grass on the pitch had been grown longer to make it slower). I'd have taken a point before the game - that's our hardest match (on paper) done now. Although the games against the relegation teams won't be easy.
Yes, this was always going to be a tough game for us. It puts the pressure on both Chelsea and Arsenal to get results, today. Norwich, QPR and Blackburn are our next three games, and we should be looking at taking all 9 points from those. We could look back at today and consider that a draw was a good result.
Poor game, but Sunderlands lack of any ambition is annoying. Home team, safe in mid table on the back of a great result at Citeh. Just proves to me why MON will never be a great manager 1 point is better than nothing and as said, this was on paper the hardest of our run in games Slightly worried that Bale may actually have picked up a knock at the end there.....
good point to be fair, that's our tough run over with now. we can moan about the tactics all we like, but that's how teams lower down the table have to set themselves up to get a result against us. - borderline cheating. We had no chance of 3 points today. Sunderland took a leaf out of stoke's book and got away with it, just like stoke did against us... ... why??.. that man again, Chris Foy. I feel sorry for their fans mostly though, who pay hard earned money in tough times, to watch that ****e.
Whatever the ticket price up there, I would be well and truly ****ed off if my side performed like that at home. No possession, no class, no passion, No ambition. Mo'N master tactician? No thanks.
I think the FA should lay down strict guidelines about this kind of thing. Too many times, negative sides (like Blunderland) either grow the grass long or narrow their pitches in order to make it harder for the better sides to play. How can that be fair or within the spirit of the game?
Which just goes to show why you shouldn't pay much attention to stats. Most of their corners came on the back of each other and I can't remember either keeper having a meaningful save to make.
What we need now is for £ity to score a hat-full against the Arse, putting us a point ahead and giving us a superior goal-difference. However, I rather fear that Whinger will be getting his players geared up for this one. All I hope is that (a) RvP is still knackered from his burn-out, and (b) Walnut plays, and does his usual "headless chicken" act.
Thing is their fans stick with them while they use these tactics. They know what they are in for and just wait for the counter attacks and set pieces. Great patiance.
A few of their 'shots on target' were headers that were straight at Friedel - as were some of ours to Mignolet. They don't really count If you put a 'difficult saves made' stat together for this match it'd be 0-0 probably.
THAT was their game plan. Put it in their half and win a corner or draw a free kick. They had 35% possession at home. You think that shows ambition?
