We knew from previous encounters that they are the dirtiest team in the prem relying on thuggery because their footy is gash ! Weak refs just as much to blame.
Stumpy you have it all nailed mate, it's how I see it too, and why I have said previously that the Ref did us no favours, though we lost our passing accuracy second half with some sloppy play, which was as a result of the dirty play by Sunderland that pretty much was not addressed by the officials...............
The fact is we had most of the game but could not break them down. they were denied a definite penalty by ash and our shout with naughton would have been an injustice if we got it....We should have won but the final third was well controlled by Sunderland and that was their obvious game plan and we had no answer to it....Sunderland could have easily nicked it in the end and that would have been an injustice so a draw was a fair result and gratefully accepted at the end.....
That all sounds very plausible on the surface Dai, but I doubt very much whether Sunderland will stray far from the drop zone, they are clearly in my opinion the whipping boys once again, and I doubt very much they'll beat the drop this season. Not many teams will let them off the way we did on Saturday, and their physical game will take it's toll on they're squad soon enough.
How come so few of you made the trip? The club does subsidise away fans, or have I just imagined that?
Yes i agree that sunderland looks like candidates for the drop and most teams will be better than us in breaking down teams who decide to park the bus and defend as their main objective. This is part of our game where we have not mastered yet and monk must know we have got to work on. I think we learned a good lesson there without losing the match......I dont like relying on penalties or sending offs as i would rather watching 11 v 11 every time. but yes if i had to pick one side for certain relegation then Sunderland would win hands down....
You as a club and the local police do not look after away fans very well, it's nightmare to get away from your ground. Oh and your football is more akin to rugby, you must be the least attractive game to go to of all the Premier league clubs. Hopefully you'll grace the Championship with your skills next season.
...and you shove the away fans up in the gods, and Sunderland is twinned with Port Talbot. Any other reasons?
Been there a few times and apart from the long journey which seems to take forever i have enjoyed the match, Ok we are put into the worst part of the ground and it does take forever to get out of the ground with a long journey home. So i have a feeling that fans sometimes cant be bothered with all the hassle of a very long day....
I would take a guess that it's the same reason why your stadium empties when you let a couple in, they probably think the same thing, your football is not something worth watching!
Do we though? We have an excellent away following. One of the few things we do well ha. Yuo get a fantastic view. Their isn't a bad view in the house. Used to sit there before the away fans were switched. Someone earlier mentioned the Sunderland police. Even though it's Northumbria police. Thats about 4 years of built up frustration at being badly run. So the same reason?
Well it amounts to the same thing doesn't it? You have a badly run club that is reflected in the quality of the game on the pitch , and a lot of fans don't want a 700 + mile journey to see our players assaulted on the pitch. There are probably other reasons for some, but I got a feeling that Swansea fans don't want to watch your club play, they would rather spend money on closer games where there is more chance of being entertained.
I'd say Sunderland is probably top of the 'ones to miss' for away games for the majority of fans. Even with the subsidies, costs are still a factor in attending away games, as well as the distance. It's a default argument for so many fans though isn't it - "is that all you bring away?" If we'd have filled our allocation he's be saying we were quiet, etc. I do think Sunderland will stay up though.
I dont think they will stay up ...they have been flirting with relegation for a long time now and it is about time they had a spell in the championship to sort themselves out. they have not had a lot to shout about for a very long time and at least in the championship for a season or two they will be one of the top clubs, they need to get that feel good factor back and they wont get that in the premiership atm........I cant see them other than relegation candidates again and i can see this season that will finally see them relegated.....
It's our fifth season in this league so yesterday was my fifth trip to Sunderland along with the other regulars who got on the buses at the Liberty around 4.45am and didn't return til well past midnight. Can understand many of our usual away fans giving it a miss this time because of the distance involved and the view isn't that great when you're there (though much better than at St James Park where you're up in the clouds) and it was annoying that we were held back by the police for so long after the game for no reason as our fans are not renown for being troublemakers. Will be there again next season though should Sunderland still be in the same league as us because I travel to support my team wherever we play and not because of who we play.
I'll take that point.Terrible error for the equaliser.Definate handball by Williams for the penalty shout.
Stop showing the other fans up. We're cack so we'll likely only meet in a cup game next season. Still surprising so few were there though considering you have mostly been a lower league team, and have such a good team and set up currently, plus the subsidised travel. Anyway, best of luck for the rest of the season. One more thing, it depends what you want from the view. You are further away, but get a better view over the pitch. There is no bad seat in the stadium. I sat in those seats before away fans were switched from behind the goal.
So, Ricky, that says a lot about Mackems doesn't it? Your team finally plays like it cares, you earn your first point, you finally get up and running; even though still rock bottom but one point in the basement is better than none I suppose, but how the hell would I know, never been there, I support Swansea City Football Club. Anywhoo, Ricky, here's a footballing thing for you to ponder, if you can drag your attention away from fan watching for a second. It appears that you guys have borrowed one of our old players, to bolster your midfield . Johnathan DeGuzman is on his way to you. The down-low, he is a decent enough player with a tremendous set piece, but doesn't track back and tackles like a goalkeeper. He wouldn't make our bench at this time, being honest none from Sunderland would [edit, except Defoe] so he's at your level. Are you happy borrowing players instead of signing them Rick? and a secondary question Rick Do you think Ellis Short is treating you fans and your club with disdain and disrespect by lying to you? Is Mikey Gray right to say he is? Happy hunting for the rest of the season. 18th, 19th or 20th, place your bets Rick, one of those numbers has your clubs name all over it