This is why I felt we'd do well from him signing. There seems to be an air of calm and confidence about him. And how well he did at Lorient before they sold his best players. It's early days but our best start for 99 years is a good start. "It is good" as Reggie would say . c'est bon Regis
. On the Roberts front, I was a critic last season, based on his poor defensive qualities and his shocking statistics. This season he has clearly improved along with the team, even so in 3 wins and 7 goals scored, his contribution is one assist and no goals.
Aye, but how involved has he been? It’s not all about goals and assists it’s about progressing us up the park, starting things, occupying and tiring the oppo. Roberts has been quality in all 3 games. The stats will come. 1 assist in 3 would be 15 assists in the season, as a side note.
15 assists over a 46 game season, not to mention his general performance has been excellent. You were wrong last season and you're wrong now. It seems like this is personal.
He has been absolutely class for me. The pressing, the ball carrying and his free kick delivery. It's the best I have seen him. Looks like his fitness has improved by 50% !!
He was motm yesterday for me and excellent the week before too. I think seeing Amad getting his break and now Clarke moving to the Prem will be driving him even more. Roberts is unlikely to get that chance with another club because of his age, so his opportunity to get back there is through us.
Used his right a few times as well. Lads playing class. He was handicapped last season by the lack of direction and support. He is thriving again now and is ability wise one of our best, one of the leagues best.
We had never won the first 3 without conceding! That was the last time we won the first three but did concede.
You're right mate, there really is no excuse and, to be fair, he had a huge lesson when he cost us the Boro game last season. I've tried to laugh it off but, ffs, that could've cost us two or even three points and totally wrecked our momentum. I'm really angry, and I've tried hard not to be, but those points could be the difference between promotion and failure. Being sent off for saving a goal bound last minute shot, or pulling someone back to stop an equaliser, is fine and O'Nien would do all of that and more. One booking for stupidity is acceptable, two is bloody ridiculous and inexcusable for a captain. I thought, as soon as he was made captain that it was a mistake ... yesterday confirms it. When I look at Access All Areas, and he shuffles round to give the referee the team sheet, I cringe. He's meeting the match referee who he should welcome to the SOL and show respect and coming into first contact with their manager or captain, or both. He should be exuding confidence and puffing his chest out. Instead he looks like he's just out of bed and ready to go back. Thankfully Speakman pulled off a masterstroke, bringing in Browne, who'll fit straight in ... ... the worry for Dan Neil is that he plays a blinder, we batter Portsmouth and come out for the Boro match with him on the bench. Three games and he's already banned, wrong choice as captain, sorry.
The set pieces overall have been a huge improvement on what we have seen for quite a while. Was it the first season back up where we went most the season without scoring from a set piece and it was all we heard about?
The problem I have with football fans, not just Sunderland, is that despite an excellent performance they gave to pick out someone as the 'worst' player. Just enjoy the moment. Been watching various videos from yesterday. Loving this squad.
Its my honest opinion mate , based purely on observation , nothing personal at all.. I may be wrong and so may you.
I'm watching the full 90 minutes, with Frankie & Danny, and so far no one has put a foot wrong. Danny just sussed that their keeper was cheating when he went down, I like those two.
How the hell can you be in 1st position, after those first 3 results, win the fourth 6-1 and drop down to 3rd?
Prepared to give him a little time to grow into the role. O9, RLB, Proctor/Dodds should all be in his ear encouraging, guiding, setting the expectations for how he acts as captain. They must think he has it in him, just needs pushing out his comfort zone.
