Just got in was great to see Ki back as he was superb yet again. Oliviera looked sharp when he came on. Gomis, what can i say, I thought he was appalling yet again. His hold up play was pathetic, he just tries to turn to much instead of playing a simple pass. He makes absolutelt no effort to get in the box when we are attacking. I would rather see if Oliviera could work for us up front I believe he is a better player. Not a bad performance apart from the backing off for Defoes goal. Still feel it was 2 points lost. Thought Naughton looks like he could be a good signing and good to see he was equally comfortable on either side.
I enjoyed that. Glad I wore my fur knickers. I thought we did little wrong in that game to be honest. Sunderland looked average at best but Defoe is class. Probably the only real class they have in their team apart from Johnson maybe. We switched off after that disallowed goal and you can't do that at this level imo. They had one shot on target all game but that's football. Shout out for Ki - if he doesn't make Team of The Week it'll be a travesty. What a performance. The only player I'd actually criticise is Dyer. I'd have taken him off, and kept Barrow on. I'm afraid that Dyer has forgotten how to get past a man and I lost count of the times he tried and failed. Hopeless.
Dyer forced to play down the left side first half, difficult for him. Once he switched to right hand side had a more than satisfactory 2nd half. Gomis's commitment can't be faulted, a little unlucky I thought not to get on the scoresheet. Once those first couple of goals go in for him he'll be fine. No worries at all. Thought it was a good performance particularly second half where we completely dominated the match.
Agree with Sbulby and I have to ask those hammering Gomis whether they were at the game. Hit and miss maybe but not "appalling". Everyone around us agreed he worked his socks off today and his movement was good imo. As I've said on another thread he needs to work on getting into the box more a la Bony but then again I'm not convinced he's a natural finisher. He's certainly taking his time to get used to the Prem but you can't fault his work rate at all. I've rarely seen a player called lazy so undeservedly.
I know it is about opinions but I cant disagree with you more about Gomis. He had one shot today which in all fairness wasnt a bad one. I dont want chasing round after players i want him to put his effort in by getting in the box with meaning. For a big guy his hold up play is garbage and seems unable to lay a simple ball off without trying to turn 3 or 4 times. I worry where our goals will come from it will be down to our midfield to get them. As i said earlier I think Oliviera would be a better option up top. Was so much livelier in and around the box when he came on. Not doing our side down as there were many good performances today and totally agree with you on Dyer was much better second half when back on the right.
Yes I was at the game and yes i still think he was appalling. Chasing shadows round the pitch is not what i want from a striker. He was playing against 2 average centre halves today who had him in their pockets.
Funny how people see the game differently because everyone around me at the game felt the opposite. Also, I can't remember Dyer beating a man once. Not once. I agree on Oliviera though. Looks good.
Dyer gave a very good fullback in van aarnholt a hard time second half. However his last ball wasnt good enough.
Hardly a classic, was it. Sunderland set their stall out and did their job pretty well. We tried hard enough. We seemed to pass the ball more than usual, which should please a lot of people. Not a game to stick in the memory, I think. On to the next one.
Taylor had a slight knock and was taken off as a precaution rather than a tactical change, well that was the talk in the Vice Presidents lounge after the match.
6 Fabianski - little to do and no chance with the goal 5 Naughton - harsh? I think not - hopefully he will improve as he gets to to speed and gets used to players around him (noticeable when Rangel came on) 6 Fed - got stuck and a couple of outstanding tackles but passing wasn't good enough 6 Ash - a standard game from him but didn't need to stand out 6.5 Taylor - disrupted and tackled well with a few decent passes - slow getting back, position and quite a few miss placed passes. 5 Cork - positionally rusty (?) and the stupid booking meant he had to retreat from Defoe when they broke for the goal. 6 Ki - solid but drifted in & out of the game took his 2 chances well, shame one was off side. 5 Barrow - when he had the chance to use his speed he was effective and his first time crosses should have been better received by the forwards 5.5 Shelvey - some nice touches but far too many awful ones 7 Dyer - (my MOM) another game where he has had to defend and make up for the full back behind him - after Rangel came on he looked dynamic and effective 6.5 Gomis - ran himself ragged and got through lot of good work ... but he is paid to score, maybe it's our approach play or maybe it's him ?? Subs 6 Montero - busy but he lost the ball quite a lot 6 Oliviera - busy and quick 7 Rangel - once on the pace increased greatly, maybe it was just his understanding with Dyer but both looked far more enthused and effective than Naughton / Dyer. Looking at the bench Monk had few options. Given the number of new faces, returning faces and inexperienced (at Swansea) faces starting with Rangel, Carroll and Montero would have given us more composure. A borefest of a game, poor quality and neither side deserving 3points. I was trying to be positive and reminding those around me that we had a few new players, some coming still getting up to speed after time off, but I was put in my place with the comment - 'different faces same old ****'. And TBH there was little to argue. It was such a nail biting affair that more time around me was spent talking about last night's rugby than anything on display at the Liberty. Another game where a few flashes of brilliance failed to raise the spirits overall - the only saving grace was the number of new (ish) faces and new (ish) combinations that led to a fragmented performance and they will improve as the season progresses. Pluses - a point Negative - low quality
Well I was at the game and imo disappointed in what he offers as a goal threat , I believe he had one shot on target the rest of his play was tidy enough ,Dyer had his best game for along while (which shows how far he's fallen) , much better in the second half and more so when Rangel came on to support him .
