I posted yesterday about being bored at the Swansea game and in particular the first half against Boro, now let me try and explain and please dont accuse me of having a dig at MON, its simply not true. I go to a football match for some excitement, against City it was exciting backs to the wall stuff and the last kick goal from Ji was the best feeling I have had for a long time. The MON style of play is exciting with fast flowing counter atacking football when it works but its boring when it does not, now that is not a dig, just a fact IMO. The reason its not working, the reason I go on about a striker is not MON's fault, he was given Bendtner, Wickham and Ji and all have their plus points but to me none, right now, are the answer. When Campbell came on the excitement returned, not because of his goal, mind that helped, but because of his threat and its that threat we have been missing. Will we solve it over the next few days, I dont know all I can hope is that we do, not a top striker, I dont expect that right now but I do expect an improvement on what we have, Davies would offer that IMO. I dont get the Bruce/Hughes/MON thing, Bruce is long gone, Hughes I would have liked but I am also happy with MON, I like him and I support him 100% that does not mean however that I wont question him if needed. I returned home yesterday cold, well bloody freezing, unhappy about the first half and the comfort of the TV on Wednesday was appealing, I know I will be in my seat because I always am but sometimes its good to moan and this forum is the place I use to let out that moan. In that moan were some genuine feelings and I'm pleased that many could see what I was saying, they may not have agreed but at least they understood. Thankfully it seems that MON understands because he seems to be after that striker.
You should never be concerned to share your feelings here Syd. There'll always be some that disagree, some that don't, be ****ing tedious if that wasn't the case! I understood your point, but for me it's all about results, and for sure I appreciate the Swansea comments, BUT it was tactically perfect. We all know you love the club, and for sure you were one of the last bastions of positivity towards Bruce, so get you old ass down there on Wednesday and watch us beat Norwich (just, they are a good side..) We're all Sunderland on this board, even a few of those who profess to be Mags
I don't see how signing a striker is going to change anything for you Syd, this is how MON plays, always has been. The personnel may change but the system won't. I for one don't have a problem with that as long as results continue in the same vain. I have enjoyed every game so far but each to their own.
Personally, I don't really care what style of football we play, as long as it gets results. This season has to be about trying to consolidate after the shockingly poor start we had. If that means playing on the break and less of the pretty stuff, so be it. Let's try and get up the table and show prospective players that we are a viable option for them. I doubt we'll get any real striker of note in this window, as the timing has been all wrong. We may get someone as a stop-gap, but I think that will be all. Let's try and keep some positivity (after all, we're doing bloody well at the moment) and see what can be done in the close season
I think thats the point some are trying to make bud, when was the last time we played pretty football, we have been a direct team for years
I dont think Syd is saying signing a striker will change MONs tactics, but that those same tactics will work better and be more exiting if we had a decent threat from the fwd positions. ------------------------------------------ I think the comments that Wickham, Bendtner and Ji arent the answer is a bit harsh, cos it depends on who we are playing and I dont think WIckham/Ji have had a chance to show what they are capable of yet. Wickham is not match fit nor sharp yet, he looked exhausted after 20 minutes. Campbell offered us the pace that Wickham is lacking. And I guess Ji is still learning the language and the in/outs of the league. I enjoyed the attacking threat we had vs Wigan and QPR. I think MON tactics were deliberate against Swansea, and MON, in private, would probably admit they were boring. If we had played against Swansea like we did against Wigan and QPR there is, imo, a fairly good chance we would have got beaten. We'll play the same vs arsenal.
All im reading here Syd is that you hate MON and would love Bruce back, come on lads lets get him.......now where did i put my pitchfork and torch??? Like a few others mate i feel your fustration and nearly at the end of the Jan window and for me we havent sorted out the LB or the striker situation. By putting an enquiry in for Davies though acknowledges that MON recognises the fact and is trying to do something about it. And before i get blasted for having 'a go' at Richardson im not, in fact quite the opposite, he has been asked to play in a position which he is not comfortable or trained and stepped up to the plate everytime even though he probably knows the abuse he gets, i feel sorry for him and respect he's proffesionalism as others lesser players could fall out with the manager or refuse to play out of position. My fustration is that we let this good start fade because to me now is the perfect time to re-boost the team as the initial surge of energy that MON brought in is fading slightly which is always will, we cant keep performing miracles with this team, they need some help. Im not saying they need much but just a couple key positions could mean the world of difference to both the cup run and final league placing.
We've had our moments of playing some nice-to-watch stuff Wease, but I agree with you. Pretty and lose or direct and win? No competition for me like.
Every time I've seen C.Ronaldo on the same pitch as Messi he's been ****e - so has to be one or the other for me... Preferably Messi - I heard he wants a challenge - can you imagine a frontline of Lionel Messi and Stephane Sessegnon!!! In the words of the Everley Brothers: "Dream, Dream dream dream"!!!! (Showing my age or is it my Club Singer side!!!)
I did say this before MON got the job (by the way I am 100% behind him) - but I pointed out all of his teams have played defensive counter-attack football which I f*cking hate with a vengeance - and this was the sole reason why I was not behind Cest and others clammering for his appointment. More of the same I am afraid, but we will probably win more than we lose, but will not win many friends along the way. Also, we do not currently have the personnel to play this type of football, but MON will correct that during this and the next window. Bart. PS - we will beat Norwich on Wednesday.
so if I understand you right, you'd prefer all out attack, lose more than we win and get relegated like Blackpool !
In the 36 seasons I've watched SAFC, I can count in terms of single units the seasons where I've been truly entertained. Even some promotion seasons were like pulling teeth. The amount of losing, pathetic, limp lifeless seasons number 20 +. Under Mon we have developed a winning formula, dependent wholly on the personnel available to him. This 'boring' tactic was the very same one that won trophies at leicester and Celtic (including a major European cup final) and took Villa to the very verge of champions league glory, from the realms of ordinary. I'll sacrifice the type of football that firms up the penis (football we have never been used to for 40 years) for some winning football (again not something that we have had much of either) over the next few years. People remember winners not pleasers! Mon will improve the personnel and the standards at SAFC without a doubt but only over time. 8 weeks isn't a fair timescale to judge anyone in life, let alone a football manager. We are lucky to have found Mon, given the mess we were in 2 short months ago.
I'm old enough to have been alive for the '73 FA Cup, but too young to appreciate it. I would like some success for my club before I get too old to enjoy it! MON gives us the best shot at achieving this. I for one, will back whatever style of football is necessary to do this
Did I f*cking say that...........NO. Of course I do not want us to lose football matches - but yes I would prefer an alternative method to counter-attack football which can be very frustrating to watch. FFS!!!! talk about twisting stuff to put the f*cking boot in..... Bart
