Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Sheffield United FC – Wednesday 1st January 2025 - KO 20:00

With everything else they have improved behind the scenes I keep thinking each pre-season will be the one where this gets improved.

Cirkin has looked average at best since he came back, which for him is poor. Noticed a few mistakes from him recently!

 

2-1 home win. Jobe and Roberts

 

No doubt about that. Derby and Oxford at home, both perfect games late on

 

I think Roberts will be on that (hopefully). I like Roberts a lot.

 

A nervy 2-1 win for us.

 

Can't wait for the game tonight, going to be a long day.

Hoping we get after them right from the first whistle and don't let them settle.

2-0 Isidor and Hume

 

Regis Le Bris on Eliezer Mayenda's missed Sunderland chances



https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...s-eliezer-mayendas-missed-sunderland-chances/

REGIS Le Bris is set to keep faith with Eliezer Mayenda for the crunch New Year's Day clash against Sheffield United, despite the forward's costly misses against Blackburn and Stoke City.

Mayenda spurned a glorious late chance to score a stoppage time winner at Ewood Park and then missed the target from an unmarked header at Stoke four days later before the Potters struck in the dying seconds to take the points.

But Le Bris says Mayenda needs support rather than taking out of the firing line, and the teenager is set to keep his place on the flank for today's game against the Blades.

"Resilience is a key word for footballers, for players who want to achieve high goals," said Le Bris.

"Probably the two main positions on the pitch are the goalkeeper and the strikers. When they miss chances or make a big mistake with a goal at the end, it's always easier for the observers to say they are struggling.

"But watch the other players and they make loads of mistakes but the consequences are not the same. We have to support them when it's difficult. It's not just Eliezer, we have to support all the young players.

"With mistakes they learn. After mistakes you can't say it's finished for you. Every player makes mistakes.

"With a young team we have to assume it's sometimes more difficult. Maybe the last games it wasn't so good but we have to support them.

"We were 16th last season, now we are fourth, the progress is massive. We have supported them until now, we have to stay consistent. We have to keep going."

Patrick Roberts is likely to return to the side on Wednesday after being rested at Stoke, but with Chris Rigg still unavailable, Le Bris must decide whether it's Adil Aouchiche or Milan Aleksic who will make way.

 

Sorry to be a downer but I think we’ll lose tonight. Would definitely take a point.

8pm kick offs on New Years Day can **** off btw

 

So many bloody injuries. Seems to be getting worse not better

 

lack of, or extremely late, subs can’t be helping. Players are over exerting

 

Definitely one of the worst kick off times I have seen recently. Absolutely outrageous call.

 

Disgrace really. Fir such a big game to lose thousands of the gate due to travel is absolute joke material.

 

It's an absolute disgrace, don't know how much we get per game for being on Sky but the gate receipts and stall takings will be down. I'll be amazed if we get anywhere near 40k tonight.

I don't blame people for not going to the game at all, especially as loads will be back at work tomorrow.

 

Thankyou RTB
Don’t want to be pessimistic , but can’t help my thoughts being on the hope that Sheffield have a mare and perhaps give us the gifts we all too often give others .
Think if we take a point , we can be happy to deprive them of two .

 

On current form I think we will struggle to get anything from this game. Keeping Hamer quiet is crucial
A change of formation and better use of subs could and would help imo. Reg wont do it of course and his way has its merits, and may in the long term be the way to go we will see. OaU.

 

Gone for a win but these are sneaky lucky fkrs against us. Hopefully we get the win by any means.
Is is a lad called Brooks plays for them? Got subbed but looked a bit warm for them against WBA.

Cheers yet again RTB.

 

Totally agree with his opinions about persevering with young players when they hit a rough patch, that's how you reap rewards in the long term and also how they can turn their form around in the short term. Difficult to make amends for mistakes and improve your game when you're not on the pitch.

Spot on about how all players make mistakes but it only gets highlighted on certain players too.

 

O/9 is the perfect example if he had ever had a game comparable to Cirkins last few, he would be crucified.

 

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...1Q4g1UsdIVHe12N4gA_aem_NkuR5LLIW7kAH8TUKhj8-A