Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Preston North End – Saturday 1st October 2022 – KO 15:00

gooch being gooch

 

He never shirks does he.

 

I would hate to be a PNE fan, watching defensive turgid football every week.

 

3 mins extra time music to prestons ears, the've done a job on us with a little help for their friend the man in black

 

FT 0-0 flattened by a point

 

Would've loved a win but it's another point ...

... just one of those days when it doesn't quite click.

Preston are dreary though, terrible to watch.

Mowbray couldn't have done more.

 

Shame.

No striker meant to threat. A striker plays today and we win.

Left short.

 

0-0 against a team that's only conceded 4 so far. Not a bad result, but obviously a win would have been a lot better !
Missed Stewart (or Ellis)imo this game, a proper center forward would have made the difference

 

TBF we could've brought in Parrot ...

... but all he does is sit on the shoulder of the last defender

 

I can't see how Cirkin gets back in the team after yet another motm performance from Alese

 

Best get rid of Speakman then mate leaving us short

 

A draw was fair. We didn't create anything of note, despite having most of the ball. They were poor but they restricted our attack, had one chance cleared off the line and could have had a penalty late in the game.

We needed a plan B today, it's the first time since Stewart has been out that I think we missed a striker. We had a go again with the subs but none of them made much of an impact.

Alese was the standout player today. I thought O'Nien was very solid as well.

 

as i said earlier you can see why they don't score/concede many, that said we never really seemed to hit top gear for some reason maybe the opposition but both sides looked like they were treading in treacle...really slow game.

have to also take into account that PNE are an established, well drilled side in this league and we are some of the 'new kids on the block' and in that respect, with no strikers in the side right now a decent enough point.

pretty sure i said afore the start of the season that roberts will frustrate as much as he excites, i think the same can be said of clarke as well...while both have the talent in abundance, alongside pritchard they are our best attacking options and some days they will click, others they will do 'okay' and at times they will have a day off, it happens to all players but once again the young lads came on as subs and showed so much energy and drive you just feel something will happen...there will be better days (and worse) for them all.

alese gets my MotM this week, solid at the back, great clearance to gain us a point, a couple of decent crosses/shots and supported clarke well especially first half.

 

Those stats on shots confirm our current dilema, but the future is looking bright. Its all we can ask for OaU

 

Alese made more forward runs and passes than Embleton today, won more tackles as well I'd think ...

... I'd have to think about playing him there.

 

Its worth a try at least, Super Alee has a ring to it.

 

He goes for every tackle, wins the ball in the air, covers the ground/recovers quickly and is a real presence.

I think he's slightly wasted at full back and don't believe Embleton is as imposing.

We have loads of flair in midfield but not enough menace imo.