Prediction League Star Player Vs Sunderland

Star Player League 2020/2021
Sunderland

Members only need to copy and paste the format below, post into a comment and make your selections, I will do the rest;
1. 3 points (Man of the Match) -
2. 2 points (2nd best performing player) -
3. 1 point (3rd best performing player) -

Competition rules can be found here: https://www.not606.com/threads/star-player-league-2019-2020.375941/

Each thread will remain open until the following times;
Saturday games will close on a Tuesday evening
Sunday games will close on a Wednesday evening
Monday games will close on a Thursday evening
Tuesday games will close on a Friday evening
Wednesday games will close on a Saturday evening
Friday games will close on a Monday evening

 

1. Graham - he didn't give up running the whole game, constantly threatening the Sunderland box with his crosses, and got the deserved equaliser.
2. Akinde - in the short period he was on the pitch, Sunderland couldn't handle the big man, bringing down the ball for Oliver to flick on to Graham.
3. MacDonald - for the goal and hitting the crossbar. I was surprised he was taken off for Akinde coming on, and although I still feel it was the wrong swap, Akinde coming on was the correct decision by the gaffer.

I think defensively today we need to ask ourselves a few questions. The first goal from Sunderland, we need to rewind play a couple of minutes beforehand, where some poor defensive play, left Sunderland in control and eventually the subsequent goal. I don't know what happened with the penalty, I haven't watched it back, nor did I note who gave it away.

Jackson is good with the throws, but I'm not overkeen on this left to right exchange, it leaves him out of position and on his weaker foot. O'gilvie needs to get into his man more, too many situations where I felt uncomfortable when they attacked and we were not on par to deal with it.

Overall, good display, so well done to all the lads. I don't think it was perfect but a point is good enough for me.

 

No praise for Oliver who was so unlucky not to score and great assist for Graham to smash in. Also Bonham so unlucky with pen save

 

Did you not read where I mentioned Oliver?

Quote 'bringing down the ball for Oliver to flick on to Graham.'

Lot's of other players I didn't mention. And again as you ask our main striker Oliver failed to score for yet another game.

I didn't realise I had to give special mentions to players for gioblues, I thought I was posting my own personal choices.

Oh and as for Bonham, what did he do....oh yeah, failed to keep a clean sheet yet again and never catches a ball. Bring on the new boy I say.

 

1) Graham
2) Cundy
3) MacDonald

 

Graham
Oliver
Bonham.
Again whole team played well so could of picked a few others including Jackson and MacDonald

 

1. Oliver.
2. Graham.
3. Jackson.
4.Cundy.

 

Just had a look at the highlights that grumpy put up in another thread, so chance to clarify a few thoughts;

Oliver, did well to flick the ball on for Graham, he was sandwich between two players and had the foresight to look up for Graham, why, because he was where he should be (Graham). So well done Oliver.

However, I still maintain, the main contribution started with Akinde, who brought the ball down from a Bonham kick. Personally I feel, Oliver had nigh on 90 mins to do what Akinde managed in a short time on the pitch. That's not a criticism as such, but how I saw it.

Part of my problem with Oliver is not Oliver but the tactics that are applied - you only have to go read comments from Sunderland fans on social media, to see they are in your face tactics. It works, it dosen't mean to say I have to like it.

Sunderland could not handle our runs down the right, why, because that's where our strength is along with the (dodgy) long throws into the box from Jackson - he's going to get pulled up on them eventually, once opposition teams do their homework.

I'd prefer to have players like Graham, Dempsey, Lee, even Jackson, all day long, than the big boys, unless they serve a specific purpose, much as Akinfenwa use to with Cody. This is nothing knew from me, how often did I praise players such as Andy Barcham, Charlie Lee, even Gavin Tomlin, I want players that are going to run at you and are not frightened to put in a tackle before it gets to the box.

I'm sure you all remember Peter Taylor on his last term here, I hated it, I didn't want the guy any where near my club ever again. The tactics were dreadful. It's scared on my memory for life.

Yesterday during the game a loose ball dropped in the Sunderland box, where if we had had a player there it would have been netted, imho, Oliver should have been there, he wasn't, he was most the game, but was found wanting when opportunity was there. It was a situation where my style of striker would have been.

I know my opinion is not popular on this topic, but it is how I see it, and I'm not changing that for anyone.

It was a good point earned yesterday, and my congratulations go out to ALL the players.

 

1. Graham
2. Oliver
3. McDonald

 

I see Oliver only Gills player in efl team of the week

 

Brb my good friend you're concerning me with this onslaught towards Bonham.

I for one don't think we could get much better at this level. He was not at fault for either of the goals, in fact he saved a penalty and was incredibly unlucky with the rebound. He was an innocent bystander for the first goal after Dempsey's deflection completely change the direction of the ball, not many keepers can stop.

I actually tweeted during the match I feel sorry for him, as week in week out he doesn't really let us down but the rest of the side does. I think he's been better than Holy who could never get down to the low shots, and even last year or so or Lord Nelson who I've got great admiration for.

 

But this is the thing, everyone is looking at the goal, and not what happened several minutes beforehand, where the defence were a mess, and as per, Bonham can't catch.

If we had controlled our area and had a better keeper, ie the one that's sitting on the bench, the latter events would not have occurred.

The events I allude to were not even in the highlights, absolute conspiracy in the cutting room.

We all remember when MadDog was 'ere, we didn't have anymore of the Cody was god stuff and actually won a trophy.

Bring in a new striker and get the new keeper on, and we'll get to the play-offs....trust me.

Ps. btw you didn't give Oliver a menshy....gioblues won't be happy. He made team of the day <cough>

 

But was it not the 4 goals in 7 games in Cody's loan spell that turned around our fortunes when we slipped off top spot? We have had plenty of bad keepers down the years and Bonham isn't one of them. The guy on the bench has barely played many games throughout his career and Bonham kept about 15 clean sheets last season. What's changed this season? The lack of an experienced centre back to sure up our defence and give the keeper the help I guess but Bonham isn't to blame for our recruitment policy. If you want to lay blame with anyone for the first goal, then it must be with Dempsey for giving McGeady the time to pull the trigger.

 

Appreciation Tweet

We're on TV Friday, so we'll see if buttter fingers can keep a clean sheet.

Btw you still never mentioned Oliver.

 

I'm loving this --- and nobody's noticed that I haven't had a go at Jackson





.... yet - you know it's coming ( he was at fault for the penalty )

 

I was waiting actually, I had noticed you hadn't commented yet. I thought, give him time.

 

To be fair - the team played very well. We were really 'positive.' A couple of crucial blocks by Sunderland, the crossbar and post rescued them at times....We are desperate for a more 'instinctive' and clinical striker --- but -- I cannot fault the commitment............ So - now to the elephant in the room -

In general, I am not in favour of Jackson being made to take throw-ins on the 'left' - in an advanced position.... I understand that it's meant to allow O'Gilvie to go forward to pose an aerial threat --- and I know that the tactic occasionally succeeds - BUT - - more often than not, it doesn't...... We lose possession very quickly - at a time when at least two of our defenders are not anywhere their designated position..... which means that we have lost our defensive 'shape' as the opposition make strides towards our goal......

...... and that is exactly what happened at the beginning of Sunderland's move leading to the penalty conceded by Cundy --- ( YES- I know it was soft / dubious ) - With both Jackson and O'Gilvie not 'back-in-place', it distorted the shape of the backline. Cundy was forced to the right hand side of the defence ( where Jackson should have been ), and defending in a position that is not best suited to his 'strengths' - and a slight miscalculation was made leading to the foul (( which the recognised right back may not have committed.))

The same scenario has happened many times ( and including when the throw-in is on the 'right-hand side' of the pitch ).... I have seen the central defenders pulled out wide to engage opposing 'wingers' - leaving a mess in the centre of the penalty area - which has led to many sloppy goals.
Whilst I said that Jackson was culpable for the penalty - I appreciate that the tactics ( of his throw-in routines ), is the responsibility of the manager. I am unsure if deploying Jackson to take 'advanced' left-sided throw-ins is not more of a risk than is worth !

 

Not a problem on left hand side as OConner would fill in but yes can be a problem on right. Obviously a midfielder needs to cover Jackson.

 

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We just need a quality 'fox in the box'........a bit like Cody Mac or SimeonJackson......
Having lit blue touch paper...........