“ in the opening exchanges as a Paul Smyth cross found Zan Celar in front of goal, but the Slovenian got his feet in a tangle as he sought to turn it home.” Seriously, how does he fcuk this up? He’s our Inspector Clouseau striker.
Cifuentes was incredibly conservative when they went to ten men. Crying out to add to the attack and all his substitutions were like for like, no change in shape to make life more difficult for them. I don’t think we were going to score ever, but we had Lloyd, Kolli and Bennie sitting on the bench. I don’t expect anything from Celar, but I’d like to see him play alongside another striker for a bit, as he clearly isn’t a lone front man.
As everyone has said, we need goals. Difficult to see where they are going to come from. When they went down to ten men after 10 minutes it was evident that we weren't going to score. Sunderland went into a very low block and looked like they were playing for the nil nil. Finding space was very difficult unless it was out wide. I said to my daughter that our only chance of scoring was a Cook, Dunne or Field header from a corner. Couldn't fault the endeavour of the team though and no one had a bad performance, Varane was very good and the young Kieran Morgan could have a great career if he can continue developing. PS I've had a look to see if there are any strikers about who are free agents who we can bring in. ( I think Championship clubs can still sign free agents. ) There's not a lot out there though. Martyn Waghorn ( 34 ), Kemar Roofe ( 31 ), Connor Wickham ( 31 ), Admiral Muskwe ( 26 ) and French forward Lys Mousset ( 28 ).
Kollis enthusiasm alone brings more than what Celar does on the pitch. He isn't a player who thrives on his own yet our recruitment was based (apparently) around a formation/style that is supposed to accommodate them. It's great to say someone has had their best game to date yet wasn't even that good. Sunderland certainly didn't look or play like a team that sits at the top of the division and I doubt they will be there come the end of the season. It's great to have some positives but quite frankly it becomes a tad embarrassing to class 0-0 draws as the biggest positives. I wasn't impressed with the Burnley game in the slightest, it was corner practise for them and today we should have learned how to kill a team off with 10 men and adapt to that situation.
The only possible way to get the goals is to forfeit this set up of a lone striker and give him a chance with a partner up top, not a no.10 but an actual 2 up front. Lloyd with Celar is how I would go whilst Frey is injured.
Why would we continue to bring all eleven back for their corners/free kicks when they were down to 10? This coach is mind-numbingly negative. We were better today, but from an extremely low base. I can count on the fingers of two fingers the times I've come away from games under Cifuentes excited about how we played.
Just seen Waghorn come on as a 83rd minute sub for Northampton against Southrrn League Kettering in the FA Cup...we're desperate, but that's stretching it a bit!
Oh ... I read it in this article that he was still available and this was only a week ago ... Five free agent strikers Wrexham could sign to replace Jack Marriott and Steven Fletcher after devastating injury blows I'm not saying I would want to sign any of them, I was just trying to see what was available.
The red card incident, Bellingham was very high and nowhere near the ball. I thought it was a red at the time seeing it in the ground ...
Looked like a red, but I hate it when the players try to make the refs mind up. Normally happens against us.
Probably a fair result. You started better, we grew into the game without necessarily looking like scoring. Deserved red card for a clumsy challenge from Jobe. At that point I expected a defeat, but we saw it out reasonably comfortably despite conceding a lot of possession. You don't need me to tell you that you have a real lack of cutting edge up front. Plenty of scrap, that will see you right for the season (sorry if that sounds patronising). Good luck for the rest of the season
Marti clearly doesn't fancy Lloyd, which is bizarre considering the pace, directness and aggression he brings
That's why he doesn't fancy him ! Now if he could jog around at 3mph , pass backwards every time he received the ball, pull out of every tackle possible and miss gilt edged chances by the hatfull, then he'd be the 1st name on the teamsheet. Arse ffs
I think if you watch it a few times Cook is shouting at all our players to back off and let the ref make his own mind up.
I’ve seen Luke O’Nien referee enough football matches on the referee’s behalf for a lifetime. **** being nice and lovely and hoping it’ll go our way.
