Aye for me too. As a 10 he was absolutely abysmal and a key reason Cardiff ran riot in the first half. Prichard tactically understands the role and nits it together and helps where needed. The former really dosnt. He is better on the wing. Doesn't have the experience to play as a 10
We’ve looked a really tired team the last few weeks. Think the quality within the league has also suffered somewhat by playing as many games as everyone has first up The World Cup Break will be good for a reset and get the injured boys back, we need to start turning the good spells into goals which will bring wins
I have had a good chat and reflected this evening. The players are carrying things at the moment. Lots were worried with Mowbray. So fair, it's fair to say it's warranted. We have won 2 in 10 games. Home record is absolutely abysmal, bottom 3 levels. The fact we have no stiker fully fit gives him part of a pass. That said he really hasn't been great. I have to say, instinct to react to games and actually manage. He is world's below Alex Neil.
Truth is, some teams can't handle our tricky skilful young players, and other teams have men in the team that teach our young players a lesson or 2. Is what it is unfortunately. Its been mentioned we're a newly promoted side that spent a few year in the leauge one. it's not like we were relegated, kept 90 percent of the championship team,pissed leauge one, got promoted after a "blip"and its business as usual. I think 09 gets stick because he is a signing and a reminder or the Donald years.
We defo need a blend. It's what Neil was furious about. We need some steel and experience in this team.
A bit like, Burnley, Sheffield United, Norwich etc, proof is in the pudding mate. I'm very surprised we didn't go and get some championship experience but that's down the owner and the recruitment team. Rumours of money to spend seemed to vanish into loans and youth. If that's the plan then so be it.
I was happy enough with the starting XI. I thought Ba was worth a start. I was wrong. We missed Evans and Pritchard massively. It's on Mowbray for not correcting his mistake quickly enough
Mowbray is managing a team he didn't put together. He'll know we need power and strength in parts of the team, experience here and there etc. yes he has to coach whomever he is given but I'm sure he can point the powers that be in the directionof whom he wants. Subs and tactics don't always pan out like today. However sometimes they do. I'd never seen sunderland score from the keeper passing the ball to the defender, passing from one end of the field to the other without the opposition touching the ball then scoring, we've done that twice this season.
Which is why his team selection was wrong, Evans & Pritchard have to start. I was foaming leaving the ground I can handle being beat but when we didn’t even try at times I’m sorry but that’s unacceptable. Simms has just returned from injury granted but at times he didn’t even attempt to win headers. Too many players throwing their arms in the air in little strops instead of rolling their sleeves up and fighting for the points. I’ve just watched TMs interview and I must say he looks lost for words for the 1st time.
All that experience at Stoke isn't exactly working out for him is it? Agree re a blend and Mowbray got it wrong today, but I'd rather have our squad than Stoke's. I want to see the likes of Ba, Neil, Bennette, Cirkin and co all grow together. t will take time and there will be days like today, but hopefully we will get it right over the season
a while ago when me and my son were sat watching one game, i was giggling away to myself and he asked why, i just said 'it's pritchard man, watch him...he is like a jack russell the way he follows the ball and nips in and out with tackles'... and that was not meant as a put down but a compliment, he gets through a lot of work in the middle and he was badly missed today. i admit i was one saying he either needed a break or players he can feed and feed off but to take both him and evans out of the same game was a bad move...i also said we would need some experienced heads in there, while the young lads have done nowt wrong they simply do not have the experience to be the 'main players' in the middle.