At the start of the season we needed about 70 goals and 25 wins to go up ... ... we now only need two wins and a couple of goals. You could say we're in a much better position
When we beat them at the SOL 5-0 Broadhead was out injured so he is not the be all and end all of our play off hopes , the play offs are notoriously unpredictable anything can happen .
2 potentially 3 very nervy games ahead of us. Last time we were in these the 2 games against Pompey were awful but we got through. I'd take the same again to be honest. The final was also awful our goal was frankly a disgrace then we were beaten by a 94th minute scramble. The 2 weeks between the semis and the final will be awful if we get past Sheff Wed but would we have it any other way.
Just listened to What the Falk podcast and they said that I'm the last 6 away games we played, we've only let in 1 goal. AN has got us that much stronger defensively
Good stat that. The thing that has cost us promotion every year down here has been our inability to keep clean sheets. Even if we fail I trust Neil to have us sorted for next season.
People worry about MKDs who went really close but ultimately failed to make the top two. How are they going to react to it, feel sorry for themselves or really go for it, personally out of the three teams they could have got I think WW are probably the last ones they wanted as they won't let them play their normal game. I'd probably be happier facing Wycombe if/when we get to the final mainly cos they have only one game plan of push and shove and we are not the soft touches who they bullied three goals off earlier in the season. Think May is going to be a long month.
Both teams will fancy it, both in good form and both have big and passionate following. Alll that said, I just feel that it will be us that has an edge, its been a while since I've seen as much togetherness in a Sunderland side and I think our fans (well the majority) have bought into it.... Fingers crossed
apparently the premier concourse has been opened, just hoping the size of the crowd does not cause the lads to 'freeze' as we have seen in recent seasons. i avoided this thread because, quite frankly, i had no effing clue and still dont...AN has done a superb job thus far and the lads have done all that has been asked, there is a good squad mentality and they look a lot fresher than they did in january. i honestly do not think footballing standards come into these games and it should be a 'get out there and win at all costs' attitude...right now, 4 managers are doing some serious study of videos looking for a weakness to exploit and i honestly feel they will struggle with us, balls over the top or crosses into the box were our weakness but that seems more or less sorted, wright and batth have been getting to most in the air and onien just hoys himself in front of anything.
Seeing Power celebrating with the League 1 title trophy, and looking at his stats for Wigan this year, i cant help but think letting him go was a massive mistake from our recruitment team.
He’d do well with AN and personally I think he was underrated but LJ wasn’t keen on him. Whatever happens this season in the play offs AN will take us up next season in the automatics. Whoever wins our tie with Sheffield Wednesday will win at Wembley in my opinion.
I'd say Matete is a much better option and, in all honesty, most people would say Embleton and Neil should've stepped up. The rumour I heard was that Power wouldn't stick to Johnson's instructions.
As much as I like Matete’s enthusiasm, some of his tackles make me cringe. He is prone to attracting yellow cards and getting sent off wouldn’t help.
That's definitely a worry although I assume Neil has noticed. He seemed more thoughtful on Saturday although he certainly made a difference in our energy.
He is young and needs reining in by the senior players as he has already been booked a number of times already , endeavour , hard work , and ambition are acceptable but he sometimes goes into tackles he can’t win and ultimately will end up with a yellow card . He still lacks experience so therefore needs guidance to curb his enthusiasm which you can’t knock .
1st play offs we had Portsmouth at home first then away and got through. Last season Lincoln away first then home and got knocked out. I'm comfortable with home then away.
Not for me mate. I think he was poor for us and needed to move on. He wasnt a bad player but I think he had become stale and if anything a bit of a problem on the pitch at times. I thought his attitude wasnt great at times if I am honest - was it Oxford where he kept getting excited?. Fair play on his success at Wigan but that seems to be the club he has affinity for.
Thats fair enough mate, i see your point. I do however think with his versatility he could and would have made us a stronger team this season if we'd have given him a new contract, instead of allowing him to join a rival and become a key player for them with their most assists this season. He's played alot of games at RB for them this season, aswell as an attacking midfielder.
