Never mind pulling his shirt with one hand looked like he had a grip with both! Crikey. Going to be a lot of complaints if we don't come out on top of this one.
We haven't failed to turn up. We've failed to score (one that counts, at least), but we've had most of the possession and most of the chances. We fell asleep on a corner, they scored. At the other end, we haven't finished any of the (not inconsiderable) number of opportunities. Osvaldo for Lallana for me as well. Frankly, that penalty shout looks like one where Lallana's reputation may precede him...that looked like a penalty, but you go down easily too often and you don't get the benefit of the doubt.
Why? Wanyama's been fine. For that matter, so has JWP. I don't know who Ramirez and Osvaldo would sub for unless it's Rodriguez and Lallana.
Wanyama is having a better game than Morgan. He's probably had more touches than anyone. Lots of good work from VW.
Osvaldo has to be given a go at some point. Not sure that this is a game for Ramirez though. He needs a bit more space and Sunderland are not giving us that. He'll be bullied off the ball.
Naturally I'd say remove JWP to allow Osvaldo to get involved. But JWP's creative balls and crosses will be good for both RL and DO.
I'd say Jay has been better than Rickie so far. Better link up, more work and effort. Lambert's touch is poor so far. Thing is, Rickie is always a potential threat...
Rodriguez's positioning has been fantastic today, there's a couple times where Lambert could have played it on to him and he'd have an open goal.
Morgan's been quite poor from where I'm sitting. Lovren done good. Osvaldo just had a hard warm up at half time - think he's coming on now.
I'd keep Jay on simply because he can finish chances. As much of a fan of Gaston as I am, he's an open-air attacking mid, and Sunderland's putting everyone back.
So we've dominated but failed to score and Sunderland lead thanks to sloppy defending? Some things never change!
He's been in the game more than Lallana, and took his chance well albeit offside. I think him, Lambert and Osvaldo together would be a handful for any defence. For me JWP is the only attacking player who looks like making anything happen, hopefully a few of the naysayers are paying attention.
Another point. I don't think we have seen the best of Morgan in the first two games alongside Victor. Maybe they just need more time as a central partnership. Difficult one because Big Vic has been a man mountain in the middle, but is it better to have a partnership that brings out the best of both players al a Cork and Morgan? Not sure. Have to see how Morgan and Victor progress together.
Not too disheartened, we're not playing that well but have a good bench and should be able to score 2 if the subs can works some chances. Lambert's had some good service from jwp and you'd feel that on another day he would stick one or two in the net. He's not been at his best so far in terms of consistently laying it off to other players, on the positive he has worked good positions and that pass to rodriguez was sublime. their rightback is up to it and matches up well against lambert. If Ramirez or osvaldo can come on and give us some creativity we will win this.
