I watched the first 30 mins of the match again last night, we were good pressing and passing and movement was great, and then we got to the edge of the box and nothing, apart from Rusyns slip. Neil, Jobe, Ekwah and Clarke heavily involved, Roberts not so much. Obviously must do better around the box. After every training session I would have them all practice shooting from pull backs at the edge of the box. They cant go home until they score 10
I hope a chant of There's only 1 John Eustace rings out, might make the little fat **** feel uneasy. Their players loved John, might just take their eye off the ball.
If we can get a result here losing Ballard will suddenly become a positive and Onien. Ballard has been called up for NI again so he can have a much needed break before the festive fixture pile up. It gives Seelt a chance to play 90 mins in his favoured position at CB. (Im still confused why he came on and played RB against Boro with Onien in the middle)? Oniens our Captain so hes more or less guaranteed to play when fit, so with him being out it gives us chance to try something new. I reckon we'll go.... Hugg...Hume...Seelt...Cirkin
I would have thought that would be back 4 but then again but then again who knows what rabbit will be pulled from the hat
Early goal will be massive for us, let them have to come and play against us. Them parking the bus and making it tight with Stansfield on the counter isn’t how we want it to play out but I have a feeling that’s how it’ll go.
Whichever system other teams play we have to find ways to combat it, Mowbray often talks about it. We have bags of skill, its the use of that talent that will win us games.
Unfortunately I think teams just sitting back against us is going to be the norm, we can’t hurt anyone when we’re passing the ball around on the half way line. Really need some quality in that final third and as you said it’s up to us to break them down but it’s TM as well as the players. Can’t keep forcing the same ideas if they don’t work. Reckon Rusyn will be quality once he finds his feet so hopefully sooner rather than later. The frustrating thing is if teams came out to play against us these strikers would be getting chance after chance.
I was talking to my mate whos a Boro season ticket holder last night about the same thing, and he was complaining that when teams come to the Riverside they do the same, sit back and try and nick a sneaky goal, and then sit back again. It was him who mentioned it first actually. Our match at home against Cardiff was a prime example. I was thinking on the 80th minute how pished off id be with a draw, nevermind a defeat.
Getting there early to make sure I can pay my respects to our armed service personnel past and present.
Another brilliant thread RTB. Highlight of the week on here for me. Think this will be a high scoring game. Fancy Rusyn to break his duck. If we don't score by the hour mark, I would like to see Mayenda and Rusyn together and see how 2 up top works. 4-2 to the Lads and see where that takes us in the table.
Yeah it’s really frustrating. Testament to how good the football is at times but you’d think we were Man City the way some teams come here and play terrorist football. It’s not sustainable it might work for a season but what do you do on the off chance you get promoted playing like that then you’re trying to defend for 90 minutes against PL teams who just pick you apart? Our squad is proof you don’t need to spend big to play good football
Always well respected at Sunderland ... ... be good if they announced it on the concourse and screens. Perhaps they do but there always seems to be an oblivious idiot.
