I agree. We have enough cover for the CF position, but we are definitely short of cover in midfield and full back positions. With Hume suspended for the Millwall game, it will either be Zac Johnson at right back, or O9 at RB, With Dan Ballard at CH. TBH, I can't see RLB shifting Luke to RB, but we'll see.
Playing on the break though we had chances at Preston to score too and didn’t. Which is why it works CS away from home just needed that goal
Two contenders for goal of the season to only draw ! What I'd prefer to see are goals from tearing defences apart. A team working together ... for 90 minutes.
Be interested to hear thoughts on this. I know some will agree and some will disagree. This run of form followed by a break and then 3 difficult games I think is GOOD for us. Let me explain why. This team is hungry to win this league you can see it. We score a goal and everyone is ecstatic. They’re fighting for each other. You can see the togetherness not just on but off the pitch. Even through daft bits like social media everyone is supporting each other and the lads posted yesterday / today how disappointing it is and how they’ll come back So now with a chance to go to some good sides in the right end of the table and get results with a bee in their bonnet about 3 games without a win could be a massive thing for us. What do you reckon?
SAFC percentage per match: Cardiff 35.5% Sheff Wed 50.7% Burnley 41.2% Portsmouth 45.2% Plymouth 50.9% Boro 37% Watford 51.1% Derby 51.2% Leeds 48.5% Hull 49.9% Luton 43.7% Oxford 64.3% QPR 40.2% Preston 40.3% Coventry 47.8% 5 games where we have had more possession and 4 of them really are even games by the odd percentage point. I'll be honest, I'm really not a fan of the way RLB has us playing. We 100% have the players and ability to control games a lot better than we have been and I think RLB is far too negative at times. Consistently conceding possession throughout a long season is going to end up biting us on the arse. The 2 games against QPR and PNE are absolutely shocking IMO and we should be taking our game to teams like them, in the bottom 5 of the table. Same as yesterday at home as well. It's been effective up to the last week, so RLB deserves praise for that, however, I'm really not a fan of it and I hope it does change soon.
It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but ultimately this type of football is effective and we have a very strong defence
My point is we shouldn't be playing on the break. Especially against sides like Preston when we proved against Oxford that we are extremely good at dominating the ball. We also didn't really have chances against Preston. 1.44 v 0.55 in the open play xG battle. 0.11 v 0.07 in xG per shot. We have the players to be dominating, I don't really see why we aren't.
‘Sides like Preston’ unbeaten at home midweek for 21 games. Established championship side with an established championship manager, will be very comfortable come the end of the season. Come on now. dominating games is a lot more difficult because if they ride your storm and then break and score, it happened to us countless times across the last two seasons and is happening to other teams in the league this season.
Sides like Preston in terms of a side that's in the bottom half for goals conceded, possession, goals scored, xG, xG per shot, shots, shots on target, completed passes, pass completion %. Yes, we as the team top of the league should be aiming to dominate that game. I'm not sure you are getting my point. It's about how sustainable our current style of play is, if you think it is then that is fine, I'm doubtful based upon recent precedent within this league. Possession is not everything, good data is not everything, however the teams that rank well on ball dominance and chance creation more often than not finish the season higher than those that give up possession and don't create.
Third of the season and we are sitting top.....yes a third....not just after three games but fifteen. So to me which ever way you slice and dice it.....whether performances, possession, goals scored, goals conceded...we are serious promotion contenders let's not forget that. RLB has found something that works and for him to come to a new country/league and make this happen is amazing. He and we know that he will not get everything right but certainly getting more right than wrong. Do we have the players to be knocking on the door for an automatic promotion place....in my opinion.....definitely. Jobe, Riggy, Neil and all of the defense totally outstanding. Special mention to Isidor...another one new to the club, country and league....this lad is a special talent ably supported by Mundle, Mayenda and Paddy. Will these guys have some off days....yep....only human nature but what a squad assembled. I believe if we are around the same spot in January KLD and KS will do whatever they think in terms of new signings to enhance our promotion prospects. Let's just keep focusing on the positives....we are a work in progress but my....what a work. Everything about the club is focused to get where we need to be....after years of mercenaries then we see young Jobe in the stands with the fans.....unbelievable, heart warming, this is my club....Sunderland....the best in the world!!
Exactly mate we’ve found something that works. We’re only 8 games away from 50% of the season played. 33% ish gone and we’re still top and have been for every international break. We’ve set ourselves up so that even in a bad run of form we’ve stayed top. Were there on merit and that’s a fact
This has been said many times...We are a young squad with lads still learning their trade in a way. Young lads blow a bit hot and cold and I think that's the main reason for our last 3 games. Some players and I'm not picking out individuals as others love to do that for me, but a few have dipped below our very high standard, hence young lads do struggle at times. As LAMacken states were a third way through the season and in top spot, a couple of weeks to lick our wounds and go again. Cards and injuries are part and parcel of the game and the Millwall game will be a big test of our credentials, but these lads are good at digging in and it might be a bit like the Alamo in a couple of weeks but we'll see. Reggie hasn't got everything right but by Christ he's making a good fist of whats gone before us this season. Long way to go lads, keep the faith and try not to get too down when these lads slip up like they did yesterday.OaU.
Loving the debate lads. We're doing class, there's work to do to improve and there are some causes for caution.
Not looking forward to seeing the bench against Millwall. A lack of quality. We’re gonna be really stretched.
Hopefully 1 or 2 of them take their chance and surprise us. Nowt better than somebody stepping up and giving RLB a selection headache for the next game.
