When we saw the line-up in the pub, it looked like we were going to play 4-4-2 but no, it was the tried and tested (and mostly failed) 4-2-3-1 with Washington wide left and two rookie full-backs. The first half was pretty even, although Ingram had to make two or three good saves. We were more positive than of late, with less sideways passing (no Henry) and some good pressing. A well taken goal from Sandro, who had a good game, but after a triple-substitution from Moyes you got the feeling it wouldn't last - and it didn't. Overall a decent performance, I thought, from a weakened team - El Khayatti was poor and we could well have won had Chery started. I hope someone put their arm around the young left-back after the game. It bordered on cruelty to give him the full ninety against N'Dong, who was probably the best player on the pitch. He stuck to it manfully though, and will hopefully be a better player for the experience.
In his defence, having Khayatti on the left would have given no protection to the left-back. Washington, for his startling lack of ability, works his socks off. Khayatti doesn't really do anything at all. Geezer can't even take a corner.
Wily was coated in the first half for two successive corners that went low to the near post, but I thought they were deliberate - or at least the second one was.
I think you give him too much credit. From where I was, admittedly 100 yards away, they just looked ****.
I'm not too sure what to make of that. We played some good football compared to recent games. We worked the ball into good areas of the pitch on quite a few occasions but either the delivery wasn't good enough or the players didn't take their opportunities. Sunderland were poor for a premier league outfit but finished the strongest in the last 20 minutes when we saw very little of the ball. I thought JFH made a poor substitution when he bought Luongo on, their second goal came through him within a few minutes of him being on the pitch. Ingram had a good first half making a few really good saves. One low shot which I thought was in but he somehow managed to get his fingertips on it to take the ball the right side of the post. The rest of the team were very ordinary. There were no stand out players, the two young full backs did ok but Hamalainen was left a bit exposed at least three times but he seemed to handle the game well and didn't look out of place. I didn't even realise Wszolek was on the pitch until the second half. If the Newcastle game was a 1/10 then I'd say this one was a 5/10. You understand yes?
For me the mistake wasn't bringing Luongo on, it was taking Washington off and not Khayatti. Washington had worked his nuts off to help out the left back and Luongo should have moved to the middle. I'd give it 6.5/10 - good performances from Ingram, Lynch, Sandro, Cousins and Sylla, while the full-backs didn't let us down.
Fair point mate. Maybe it should've been Cousins and Khayati off for Luongo and Chery as a double substitution. I don't think Washington should've been taken off which was my point which I didn't make clear. Poor header from Washington which he should've got on target at least in the second half though.
Bit strange reading this because from the BBC and then Official's text cover Khayati seemed to be our player with the most involvement. Apparently not to good effect.
Wszolek was hard working and moved to the left side later on, to help check Sunderland's threat on that side, acording to WLS
On a positive, it sees that we played much better as a team than of late, plus there were some good individual performance (Ingram, Lynch, Sandro, Wszolek, etc.). However, once were in front, we lost out on the "substitution strategy" - which implies that we were out played at the "manager" level. Sunderland's substitutions made a much larger impact on the game than ours. Also, I don't think that we can complain about the quality of our bench, as it contained some of our "key" and "resting" players. This is not a dig at JFH, but just my observation of an event. Let's hope that we build on this for Saturday's Championship match!
Very fair and a I agree. El K took two absolutely dire corners an then produced a half decent one o the third attempt. I was grateful Defoe was being saved for the PL since I do not fancy watching him skip through our defence. N'dong was very good but also had great service with pin point accuracy. On occasions, he would have had time to put the kettle on before starting his run so good point re our left back! Given that we fielded the B team (mostly), it was an encouraging display. There was a lot more of Sunderland in the second half but if only Connor has put his header away, matters might have been different. It does look like Connor is not going to cut it at this level sadly. Due to trusting my son to buy the tickets and his late purchase, we ended up in X block. I hate being so close to the away fans. Had to endure 'Is this a library?' (it was for the most part), shushing and 'your support is *&^%ing sh1t' (which it largely was in that corner'. Does anyone normally sit there on match days and what is the atmosphere like? Wonder whther those of us who sit in PU and the Q and R blocks should all switch there? Just a thought!!
I refuse to blame the left-back for anything. Firstly, he's a kid on debut playing against an international who has just been bought for £14m but more importantly if he'd been close to N'Dong, there would have been acres of space between him and the centre-halves. The fault lies with the midfield IMO.
Years ago I used to moan at Harry for not playing the youth players but maybe he knew not to throw them in against a better opposition?
Ideally he'd have played in the earlier rounds. No idea why he didn't unless the thinking was that Bidwell, as a new player, needed games. I didn't think he looked out of place but we play with a narrow defence so any winger staying wide will be afforded room. A bit like when Furlong was thrown in against Bolasie and Sanchez. If you leave any full-back one on one consistently with a decent winger they'll get done eventually. As soon as Washington went off we were far too open down that side. Sandro was knackered from 65 mins onwards too.
I found myself at 1-1 last night just hoping someone would score so that I didn't have another 30 minutes of the poor football (both sides) I was seeing, to be honest at that stage I didn't care even if it was Sunderland.
Mmm I'm afraid the young left back was simply ripped a new one. Cousins looks good one minute and a clumsy clown the next. We were outclassed most of the game imo.
Blimey I thought Washington was awful out wide. He ran a lot but never got anywhere near anyone. The left back was totally exposed.
He was totally exposed after Moyes' substitutions, when they went 3-5-2 and gave the full-back license to get forward. Hasselbaink didn't deal with that. By the way, I read in Clive's LFW report that Hamalainen got abuse from some so-called fans on twitter. That's disgusting.
