Aye, fair enough. You seemed to me (and I know it’s annoying when a casual viewer comes along and tries to tell you what’s what) to have reigned in a lot of the kamikaze stuff today, there were real signs of improvement in that regard I thought. A good foundation to build on but, yeah, the goal was the exception to that so I can understand that frustration.
I thought you looked well organised and a strong side all the elements to get in the top 6 in the league. Bar that I thought you were poor. I’ve not really been that impressed with anyone in the league so far, bar maybe Norwich, think Leeds and Burnley will walk it at a canter. I assume it was one of your poorer performances but solid, exactly what you need to win 1-0 in this league. We’ve spent a small fortune, and the differences in personal aren’t far away from Both clubs. I feel your manager is better.
If that sunderland team is good enough for top 2 at the end of the season then the standard really is ****e this year.
I agree with you on that, I don’t think that’s the job of the ref But he still was blocking a set piece path between two of our players and should have had awareness to know that. He also steps in the way before stepping back again. It was basic lack of awareness of his surroundings.
I think you made Norwich look more impressive than they perhaps are (I watched the game) but I think they’ll be in the playoff mix. We’re well drilled under the new manager and have some good players (despite us having not spent much) so we’ll hopefully be in and around the top six come the end of the season. I personally don’t think we have what it takes to keep up with the likes of Leeds and Burnley in a battle for the automatic places over a whole season. Today was one of our more limited performances of the season but some credit needs to go to you for that, you nullified us well.
Now I’ve eaten way too much food, had a nice cold beer and time to settle down and think about it with a clear head. I still think Walter needs to go. This squad is too good to throw to waste with some batshit crazy manager. Puerta looks a real player doesn’t he? Think he might be the most exciting of the summer additions. I thought Bedia also looked good. I know I know, let himself down badly at key moments, but he really got himself involved all game and showed some very nice touches, showed he’s got what it takes to lead a line. In fact at times reminded me a lot of Diame, massive bloke with impossibly quick feet that he just shouldn’t have. Hughes is a baller. Perfect replacement for Greaves, imagine the two of them playing together if Greaves was still here. Very excited to see what could come from this squad once we get a proper manager in, hopefully it’s not too late to go places.
There is obviously disappointment after a shaky result this afternoon. But saying Sunderland were better than us is a bit strong, we dominated them for large parts of the game (without really threatening their goal much, granted) and their goal was the gift from everyone that kept on giving. I’m not down after todays efforts at all, I thought I saw signs of progress today against a strong opponent.
It was so frequent it felt like it must have been deliberate. It was Patrick Roberts out there and as tricky as he is, he is very one footed. I wonder if they were thinking it was better for him to take it down the line than to cut inside onto his left. In contrast, we sometimes had three back to defend on the opposite side when Sunderland attacked down their left. Definitely a strange balance to it.
Because he's sh!te and gave another anonymous performance today. At least Wally subbed him off - although he will no doubt be first name on the teams sheet for Wednesday
In the second half, Belloumi blocked a clearance/pass from one of their players which looped over their keeper, who pulled of a great save. Surely this was a shot on target or am I hallucinating?
Can't remember when I was last this frustrated after a game. To be fair, we probably didn't do enough to deserve to win the game, but neither did they. - Except from the referee assisted winner, they barely threatened all game. HTF they are top of the league baffles me.
another way to look at it would be to say we made a team who are comfortably top 2 look v ordinary and with a competent ref could've won.....that's obv not the whole truth, but there is some truth to it.
People say the same ****e every season against whoever is top. Its very, very rare teams just blow the entire league away over the course of a season. Its consistency and fine margins. There was little in the game, Sunderland werent at their best yet still had pretty much nothing to defend against and won it. Also missing tons of key first team players who are injured.
We do dessert the midfield at times (often) but I actually thought it was our most sustained period on the ball up until the ref decided to man mark. We conceded lots of territory first half but I’d argue we were fairly comfortable too, they didn’t create loads and if not for a severe lack of good decision making, we could’ve really hurt them on several occasions. I agree after they scored, they were pretty comfortable but they’re top of the league for a reason and very well organised.
