Match Day Thread Portsmouth FC v Sunderland AFC - Saturday 31st August 2024 - KO 15:00

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Your Prediction:


  • Total voters
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  • Poll closed .
My understanding is that he got a very good contract, on par with but on the lower end of the first team spectrum (£4-7k pw), even the lower end is more than double the best 18-21 players that come through our academy tend to get.


Ok that’s good bur can’t we offer him more because he may be our best first team player
 
But you want Speakman out, surely you have to acknowledge that he's played a pretty significant part in getting us to this point?
To clarify, maybe was a bit overly passionate last night. I did acknowledge speakman has done a lot of good, the lack of no 9 is a failure. But if these boys keep performing like this then I’d happily take the V’s from speakman and a slice of humble pie. We all want a winning Sunderland, that’s all it’s ever about for me. Long may it continue.
 
We must enjoy Rigg now because he can’t be here long. The potential is scary.

I was surprised at how different he looks physically in pre-season, I wouldn't at all be surprised to hear he completed a strength and conditioning programme over the summer because he looks to have packed on some muscle and looks very quick off the mark, like he has developed his fast-twitch muscle, a couple of times today he burst forward when pressing and he looked a different player to last season. This is unusual because things like fast twitch muscle, related to explosive movement and acceleration, are actually very difficult to develop, you usually have them or you don't.
 
I was surprised at how different he looks physically in pre-season, I wouldn't at all be surprised to hear he completed a strength and conditioning programme over the summer because he looks to have packed on some muscle and looks very quick off the mark, like he has developed his fast-twitch muscle, a couple of times today he burst forward when pressing and he looked a different player to last season. This is unusual because things like fast twitch muscle, related to explosive movement and acceleration, are actually very difficult to develop, you usually have them or you don't.

I think it’s natural for most 16 year olds to develop like this as they hit 17. Forget how young he was.

Go back to his debut in the cup when he was 15 and he looks tiny!!!
 
Ok that’s good bur can’t we offer him more because he may be our best first team player

Despite his dad being a Newcastle fan, it appears he is also a very sensible man and understands that Sunderland is a very stable force for his boy, so long as he keeps listening to his dad he will go far, they rejected bigger offers to stay at Sunderland. I think we'll see him here next season as well, beyond that is anyone's guess.
 
Was persuaded to go to the pub after the game and had a few.

On leaving the pub a pre-ordered taxi pulled up and two Sunderland lads jumped in bound for the town centre. I asked if they'd drop us at Fratton Station which they happily did. First stroke of luck. But it was touch and go for the flight, Simon Moore sat down and introduced himself, on seeing my badge, then I got off the train into London on a Saturday night <yikes>

I was totally lost but a lovely French lady was also going to Stansted, spotted my plight and threw me on and off various tubes. Second stroke of luck. I eventually arrived at Stansted 30 minutes before take off and there was a fault with the security conveyor belt.

At 22.00 I managed to get through security, for the 22.15 flight thinking I'd blown it. But as I ran past the perfumes and duty frees the departure board, for Edinburgh, said 'relax, flight delayed 30 minutes'. Third stroke of luck

So now I had time to grab my first hot meal of the day and an ice cold Leffe. As I went to pay I swear I heard the barman say, 'That's OK sir, a Mr Chris Rigg has taken care of that, the taxi and the French concierge.'

That may be totally untrue, I just choose to believe it all happened <party>
 
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Was persuaded to go to the pub after the game and had a few.

On leaving the pub a pre-ordered taxi pulled up and two Sunderland lads jumped in bound for the town centre. I asked if they'd drop us at Fratton Station which they happily did. First stroke of luck. But it was touch and go for the flight, Simon Moore sat down and introduced himself on seeing my badge then I got into London on a Saturday night <yikes>

I was totally lost but a lovely French lady was also going to Stansted, spotted my plight and threw me on and off various tubes. Second stroke of luck. I eventually arrived at Stansted 30 minutes before take off and there was a fault with the security conveyor belt.

At 22.00 I managed to get through security, for the 22.15 flight thinking I'd blown it. But as I ran past the perfumes and duty frees the departure board, for Edinburgh, said 'relax, flight delayed 30 minutes. Third stroke of luck

So now I had time to grab my first hot meal of the day and an ice cold Leffe. As I went to pay I swear I heard the barman say, 'That's OK sir, a Mr Chris Rigg has taken of that, the taxi and the French concierge.'

That may be totally untrue, I just ,choose to believe it all happened <party>

When life smiles on you, smile back.

:emoticon-0148-yes:
 
I am with everyone on the excitement we feel. I think we have some unbelievable footballers in our squad and the early signs are we have recruited a very good coach. Tonight I will enjoy the malt.

I wanted to take a look objectively at the start we have made. Let me start with the positives, of which there are many. Our shape out of possession is the best I have seen in years. Our ability to punish teams in possession is good. We have players who look so much better than last year - Jobe, Roberts, Cirkin (as he is fit), Mundle, Mayenda. We have added that sprinkling of experience with Browne and Mepham and Moore. We have unleashed on the footballing world Rigg. We still have the heartbeat of this side who is Neil. Ballard is still a beast, ONien is still our leader. RLB has come in, in a really calm manner, and got on with business. If there is one thing I hate in a coach it is a manic nature. He is the epitome of calm. He also seems really level headed and has a clear sense on players. His approach to Ekwah, Adil and Ba reveals that steely core. It is needed. I also agree with his judgement on those players. So much to be pleased about and hopeful for.

Any words of caution? Some yes, of course. Cardiff and Sheff Wed looked incredibly poor to me. Pompey were game, but a lack of quality to hurt us. Burnley - did we catch them at the right time? I think yes up to a point. Of course you can only dispatch what is in front of you and we have done that with aplomb. I look forward to the challenge of Boro, who might be sterner, and there are other sides that look promising at this stage. I dont buy into the table only matters after 10 games. It matters now. We are top, and have the 100% record. It is earned. I just know we will face tougher games than so far.

One last thing to note. Neither positive or negative, just a comment. According to Regis we will re start the coach search. I think that is right. Purely on numbers I think 3 is too light for outfield squad of 20 plus. What I hope we do is push the boat out on this and appoint some bright expressive coach with a load of desire. There are so many, in this country and across europe, it could be a real opportunity to appoint a natural successor for when Regis replaces Pep in 5 years <laugh>

agree with it all mate, been thinking of the 'caution' part, i mean there has to be caution in there or we could end up with a squad starting to think they just have to turn up to win, although this has been 4 games in a row now so have these 4 teams really been poor or has the team stopped them?
 
What I find funny is how many of us (myself included) have said Mayenda isn’t ready. Yet every match day vlog I’ve watched from non Sunderland fans have said he’s a joke, unreal etc.

Pompey fan today, Barnsley fan at our Burnley game. Even my mag mate has said I like your Spanish striker I think he’s mint. Must be Sunderland striker goggles for us :D
 
Was persuaded to go to the pub after the game and had a few.

On leaving the pub a pre-ordered taxi pulled up and two Sunderland lads jumped in bound for the town centre. I asked if they'd drop us at Fratton Station which they happily did. First stroke of luck. But it was touch and go for the flight, Simon Moore sat down and introduced himself, on seeing my badge, then I got off the train into London on a Saturday night <yikes>

I was totally lost but a lovely French lady was also going to Stansted, spotted my plight and threw me on and off various tubes. Second stroke of luck. I eventually arrived at Stansted 30 minutes before take off and there was a fault with the security conveyor belt.

At 22.00 I managed to get through security, for the 22.15 flight thinking I'd blown it. But as I ran past the perfumes and duty frees the departure board, for Edinburgh, said 'relax, flight delayed 30 minutes'. Third stroke of luck

So now I had time to grab my first hot meal of the day and an ice cold Leffe. As I went to pay I swear I heard the barman say, 'That's OK sir, a Mr Chris Rigg has taken of that, the taxi and the French concierge.'

That may be totally untrue, I just choose to believe it all happened <party>


Great story, however you have dropped Rigg in it because he’s not old enough to buy you the Liffe! were it true
 
What I find funny is how many of us (myself included) have said Mayenda isn’t ready. Yet every match day vlog I’ve watched from non Sunderland fans have said he’s a joke, unreal etc.

Pompey fan today, Barnsley fan at our Burnley game. Even my mag mate has said I like your Spanish striker I think he’s mint. Must be Sunderland striker goggles for us :D

I hope he plays 30/40 games for us this year and his goals and assists keep coming. There's not a lot more the lad can do at the moment to prove himself. Integral to our pressing and more than contributing in attack.

One of our most exciting prospects for me. Not sure why more people don't see it that way.