The awful summer we've had is bearing fruit. I do think Phelan is out of his depth but the severe lack of planning and organisation from the very top is what is handicapping us.
there was nothing unlucky about this performance , we was fortunate at 1 nil . . The last season in the Prem 13/14 we conceded lots of late goals (and was "unlucky in a fair few of them) and even when we were outplayed on the pitch we always gave the opposition something to think about Since the squads been improved , the players aptitude has plummeted - we played far better when Phelan had no option as who to play - it doesnt really make sense
This Premier League lark was never going to be easy. Stop spitting your dummies out lads. It's not May yet.
Zero wingers is my biggest concern. I think we've got quality but our players always seem isolated and outnumbered. There's little movement and almost no attacking threat. The quality is there because we've seen it before and we're going through a bad patch. Confidence is a big part of it but setting up to 'hold on' is a fear tactic and we can see already, early into this long season that it's going to be our downfall. This is down to the manager. The back 3 played well. Maguire offered us a release to let others make runs and helped take the pressure off. Henriksen disappeared. Mason - decent game, same for Livermore. Keane looked much more useful with a strike partner and Hernandez was prowling as per usual which is what we need him to do. No knicker wetting here, just disappointed to lose like that and frankly not really look like winning. We can't survive this season by going for nil-nils every game.
Same tactical substitutions we have made for a few seasons now, take a forward off and put another midfielder on and invite the opposition to come at us.When will we learn.
Naaa..another night down the local talking about why it's all going wrong maybe. That's how it works.
Their home record isn't great at all - that's the first time they've kept a clean sheet at home this season.
I think I must be in the minority here, yes we lost, and rode our luck a little at the start, but watching the game I thought we competed well, much improved on recent weeks, Hernandez had a good chance which if he had been playing week in week out would have probably scored from, Keane did ok up front tbh alongside Abel, but he is never going to be a scoring machine I`m afraid. Henriksen really doesn`t do a great deal from what I`ve seen which is a real disappointment as he was one of those I was looking forward to seeing after his signing. Mason flits in and out of the game, although I still feel there is a player in there. Unfortunately the loss of our two regular full backs is hurting is, but having said that pre injury Robbo was struggling to cope with the improved level he is facing. It`s not going to be easy and tbh I have serious doubts about Phelans ability to manage this group of players, but there was definitely signs of improvement for me out there today. I`m just hoping with the return of Robbo, Snoddy and Mbokani we can get something going to try and make a fist of it. (perhaps with Fat Sam at the helm we would survive !)
I thought there was some encouragement there. I think Mason might come good, Henriksen not. Clucas isn't a left back, we need him back in midfield where he was so good early in the season, so, Tymon should get a go. Elmo needs a kick up the arse. With a bit better service from midfield I think Keane might also be worth persisting with. Ever the optimist...
^^^^^^ Fair play if you saw it that way . Thing is right now we don't have our best side out and we cannot cope when the oppo score. Or am I in the minority?
If Sunderland has taught us anything it's that the season doesn't really start until 10 games to go. We could have new owners and manager by then with a feel good factor. I think today was a fair reflection on where we honestly are. We aren't a premier league team (based on team and squad quality). We struggled last year in the division below and at the moment our starting 11 is much weaker than last season. As everyone else has said, down to shocking summer recruitment policy and the lack of management / training staff in the building. I just pray there is a genuine buyer in and that the sale goes through before Jan 1st. Until then, hold on tight as there are some bumpy roads ahead!
