Could be wrong but I seem to remember Clarke having a phase where he'd try to get shots off that just weren't on, he got the hang of it. Understandable that Watson is slightly over keen to impress but his general play was good and those drives into the box will produce goals. I wouldn't be starting him if we had Mundle but he's made a good start to his senior Sunderland career.
Subs were an issue last night again tho, I didn't mind the 2 subs that came on, I did think Alese was really poor though but it was the right sub We needed to give WBA something else to think about last night and we didn't. I wanted to see Mayenda switch over the right as he's more dangerous there Connolly should have been on, even someone like Adil is capable of doing something I just think he plays it too safe too often, we need to be more proactive when on top. I get we might not have the best option but someone like Rusyn could be an option out left, that's where he had success in tbe Ukraine and he's still a bigger goal threat than Roberts so why not throw him on at LM towards the end. WBA were clearly happy with the point so weren't offering anything going forward
I don't think it's luck when you sign a player who has been littered with injuries all his career and is a free transfer. It's just bad judgement.
Good post. Now sure how long we have to keep saying this re subs. If you're not making them when you have drawn 5 games on the spin, when are you?
One thing for certain is the squad, management and club are ambitious for promotion. Were currently competing with three teams who have 10X our budget
Agree. Need to see it step up in Jan IMO. If he doesn't trust the bench, move them on and get some better quality in. Can not flog these young lads into the ground. Fatigue will set in massively and mistakes will be made. I would argue we have already seen that bite us a few times this season. Coventry and Millwall etc.
I agree with playing it safe. I’d have potentially thrown on AA or rusyn. but I can’t back connolly coming on he’d have been useless yesterday. he just doesn’t trust those lads which I have to take his judgement for a reason. But if he’s not going to trust them when January comes they have to leave and be replaced like I said one more sub yesterday I’d have been happy, but I thought he used them better than he has recently
No if top clubs offer really big money its the same call but buying for the PL when teams know you have the money is a bigger gamble .
I think a player is more likely to stay with us if we are promoted. If we are not, it gives them more of a decision to make. Jobe will not be here if we don't go up. I would argue that Cirkin and Rigg would be close behind. If we get up I feel there is significantly more chance to keep them.
That depends on whether the players appreciate the situation. Bringing in two or three ‘replacements’ means the current players being pushed out which would presumably bother them more than the level of our ambition. It’s also more than possible that Jobe and Rigg may leave even if we are promoted … … we can’t just believe these current players are irreplaceable, the process needs to continue.
Call me silly but this game Friday comes at a good time lads frustrated and disappointed. There’ll be a focus on creating chances. A chance to beat a team who’ve gone above us and leap frog them. im looking forward to it. I know we’ve dropped down but there’s 29 games and a very busy Christmas period to come all teams will drop points. Hopefully we pick some up.
Sorry but cant agree that Ballard and Mepham are premier league quality, close but not quite. Mepham was loaned out by Bournemouth as he couldn't get a place in their side unless other players were injured. Ballard has been watched but not picked up by a premier league side, yet. When Mepham arrived he quickly became our best CB, just shows the difference in quality. It's not always the best 11 individuals that make the best team. O9 brings different attributes to Mepham and Ballard. All about opinions
Absolutely mate. I think both will be playing in the PL in a year or two. 09 won't. He does bring different attributes I agree, that's what a natural midfielder will give you at centre back. He has been very good this season, no doubt about it. But I think our best back 4 is Cirkin, Mepo, Ballard, Hume.
Interestingly, Sheffield United only created 1.1 xG more than us this season. They gained 2.65 xG on us yesterday whilst at home to Oxford so before that were below us in the xG table.
O'9 will play in the premier League. Next season with us Another clean sheet last night https://footystats.org/england/championship/clean-sheets-table
