Stats don't always tell the tale. We try to be a possession team, which is why we play from the back. I didn't say that we don't have opportunities to counter, of course the opposition have the ball at our end and we win it there, yet my point is that the style we try and play is a pressing game and this implies that we are not looking to be a counter attacking team like a West Brom. Yes, there will always be a time when we can counter, but I asked why rabbit spectrum implied we needed or wanted to be a counter attacking team. I think we want or try to be the pressing team which is the opposite. However it is not possible to do this for 90 minutes. Some teams set themselves up to counter attack. We don't. We set ourselves up to press. There is a subtle difference.
There is none of this home fans only pubs malarkey in Sunderland, and you will be made more than welcome where ever you go. If you head for town you could head for Green Terrace, where you will find a good few pubs, including a couple of Wetherspoons if you wanted a bite to eat as well. From here it would be about a 15-20 minute walk to the stadium. If you wanted to be a bit closer to the ground you could head for North Bridge St (5 minutes walk to the ground) which has a good number of pubs and clubs to choose from. There is also the Colliery Tavern which is right next to the stadium just behind the ticket office, which is usually a popular haunt for visiting fans.. Where ever you end up, I hope you have a great day, as long as you come away disappointed of course..
I think we're trying to play attacking football and a high pressing game.. basically keep on the front foot. Not so sure we want to be a traditional possession team because of the fast pace of our attacks. Obviously we don't want to set ourselves up to counter but there are chances to do so for any team.
Ta for the info, RAWhite. I`ve been in the Colliery before, so N Bridge Street it is. I`m sure Sunderland will stay up, after Wigan`s result the other night - I`m curious what happens next season though, after the honeymoon period is over, and he has had a transfer window.
Which is basically what I said: attacking and high pressure. Attacking when we have the ball (you need possession) and high pressure (to win possession). This is contrary to counter attacking style of football, which is my original point. I also clearly said that of course teams have opportunities to counter, but that is not how we set up. By "possession" I don't mean that we don't attack.
We play pressing football, but all teams have to be versatile and adapt to the situation. I think the reason we have had success against top sides is because they don't like being wrong-footed and weren't so experienced at having to play the old long ball. This may change next season as we will have lost the advantage of surprise. Teams lower down the pecking order are more used to playing on the counter attack against better sides...the same way that you get giant killing in Cup competitions. Next season will be very interesting...teams won't underestimate us, but we will have gained more experience and, hopefully, have a much better start.
No bother mate.. As for next season, we are all wondering how it will go. However, the general feeling is that it can't be any worse than the negative dross we have had to endure this season under O'Neil..
Hopefully you will see how the beautiful game should be played on Sunday. One thing we can do is play pretty footy, can't win a lot though, so hopefully Saints will be more direct, we pussyfooted around to much in our last match against the spuds. Hope your team don't just "boom ball" all afternoon straight up to your forward, you do have one left don't you?
Yes possession teams generally build up slowly that's all I was getting at. Seems we agree on our play style anyway so doesn't matter.
Sunderland fans that I've met at Ireland away games meet up at a place called TJ Doyles...looks cheap and is supposed to be good. They have no probs with away fans..I've been told by them that the best drink in the world is Double Maxim!I'll have to sample it http://www.tjdoyles.com/
Doyles is a great bar, but unfortunately the manager has got himself into loads of debt through gambling, and it has been closed until further notice.. PS..You can get Double Maxim in loads of bars in Sunderland..It is a cracking brown ale..
Ha-ha! - I was working at the shipyard in Wallsend many years ago, and the management took us to Seaham Hall at the end of the job - very posh - le sommelier wasn`t impressed when we ordered Double Maxims all round . Double Maxims on Sunday it is then !
