Not sure i agree with him here mind. Sam Allardyce has brushed off question marks over Vito Mannone – insisting the Italian is far less error-prone than ex-Sunderland number one Costel Pantilimon. Four months after Mannone regained his spot as Sunderland’s first-choice goalkeeper, there remains a section of supporters who are unconvinced by the ex-Arsenal man and continue to call for the inclusion of academy product Jordan Pickford. But Allardyce insists that Mannone “has done nothing wrong” during his 14 starts since returning to the side to justify losing his spot to Pickford. And the Sunderland boss believes Mannone is much more reliable than former Manchester City stopper Pantilimon, who was offloaded by Allardyce to Watford during the January transfer window. “He hasn’t made a mistake at all,” said Allardyce. “The fans want Pickford because he’s a Sunderland lad. I’m not stupid! “Who would not want Pickford, who’s a Sunderland fan and been at Sunderland since he was eight? “But Vito has done nothing wrong at all to lose his position. “He’s not made any sort of mistakes like Pantilimon did. “I know the player has left and I shouldn’t really talk badly about him. “But the reason I brought Jordan back and got rid of Pantilimon was I thought he made too many mistakes while I was here. “I don’t think Vito has done that at all.” Jamie Vardy’s crucial opening goal in last weekend’s defeat against Leicester had prompted some pundits to question whether Mannone should have been off his line quicker. But Allardyce reiterated that Sunderland’s defence had to take the blame, with centre-half Younes Kaboul – up to that point the stand-out player on the pitch – losing concentration as Vardy raced in behind to get on the end of Danny Drinkwater’s lofted through ball. “It wasn’t Vito’s fault for the goal against Leicester,” added Allardyce. “He may have done a little bit trying to stop it, but it’s a one-on-one and people will score it. “Our problem was allowing Vardy to get in there in the first place. It should have been totally snuffed out. “But it was the only time our defence switched off in the game and Vardy took full advantage. “If Jack Rodwell had scored at the other end and made it 1-1, it wouldn’t have been quite so bad this week and that was the only difference between the sides in the end.” Read more: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...per-costel-pantilimon-1-7855199#ixzz45yRnpuG5
I am sure he didn't but had Rodwell scored then Leics game plan would have been changed to seek a winner.
?????????????????????? Is it wind up day today? I'm sure you don't need me to explain the value of scoring a goal at a crucial time.
Don't think there was much to choose between Pants and Vito Would have said Vito's distribution was much better, but that seems to have gone to pot since he got back in the team. Instructions from Sam?
One question mark would have sufficed you patronising dick head. I'm sure you don't need me to show you how many late goals Leicester have scored.
Well to paraphrase MP, he's not the saviour, he's a very average football manager who's a favourite with the media Some of his team selections / substitutions have been baffling to say the least, but ultimately it's down to the players I sat after the Leicester game and resigned myself to our fate. I saw nothing that says we could get enough points to avoid relegation. Of course being Sunderland, they'll probably win today, give us all a bit of hope then fall at the last hurdle
Please post more often woman, to some on here SA can walk on water, and get get everyone **** faced using a bottle of evian.
I Only made that original comment because SA said "That was the only difference between the two sides in the end". The difference, in the end was two goals, not one. I'm aware of what might have happened, but he doesn't seem to be aware of what did happen.
I thought the first against Leicester was all on vito personally. The ball was 2 yards inside his box before Vardy touched it. Kaboul was waiting for him to come and clear it. Mannone also made 4 or 5 top saves against Leicester though! But Sam has to play on confidence. If he thinks vito is making more mistakes would it be good for him to publicise it in an interview? He's bigging up vito' confidence IMO in the right way
My heart was always in my throat whichever of Pants or Vito were in goal - especially at corners. However, Pickford is still a work in progress. Heaven forbid we go down but that would be the time we blood him properly. Not now. I have little confidence in Manonne but I dont want our bairn goalie's confidence cut to shreds in a relegation fight, x
Agree entirely BBP, Pickford's day will come. My biggest criticism of Vito is the way he drops down without attacking the ball or charging at the on coming player to give him something to think about rather than picking his spot.
