Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Portsmouth FC – Sunday 5th January 2025 - KO 15:00

Just home. Comfortable win where we had gears to go if needed.

How good are Dan Neil and Jobe in midfield, just levels above

 

To me he was isolated. Now with Mayenda there they look good together.

 

Just got back and got the feeling back in my hands, made bloody hard work of that didn’t we! Had a good day though was some canny Scottish Pompey fans in the museum, thought it was a very tired performance from us, Pompey were very league one and dragged us to their level, fair play to them for making it a fight though, Dan Neil best player on the pitch again, Patto and his kicking will be the death of me though most importantly took my missus for only the third time, hull 4-4 and Blackburn 1-5, told her this was the last chance saloon, even that jinxing ****er can’t stop Règis’ promotion bus! Haway the lads!

 

I thought Cirkin looked good when he came on. Good sign.

Neil, at the moment, is playing so well. Really want to hear about a new contract soon. Jobe gets the limelight, but last few games Neil has been the dominant midfielder.

I thought Adil had a good game. I am slowly warming to him. He still makes some maddening decisions, but today he carried it well, put in some good balls and did a defensive shift as well. He is no longer a player I feel nervous about. A bit of a bonus player for me. Hope he stays and keeps improving now.

Hume looked a bit leggy I thought, so did Jobe at times. Mepham was a bit lax as well, which is rare.

Pleased we are finding Isidor with the right balls now. He is a very good finisher when running onto things. Mayenda missed the 1 on 1 but I thought his hold up play, his movement was excellent and his ball into Isidor was good. I still have really high hopes for him. It is actually nice to see a 442 again, I didnt really think Regis would do that, but credit to him and the players. Gives the oppo something to think about when preparing for us.

Now for a bit of a breather, some good old tactical work on the training pitch, and get some lads back on the grass. I am still all in on top 2, never wavered on that. I wonder what Kyril is thinking now...

 

Aye they seem to read each other well. Clearly been training ground graft that’s paying off.

 

I personally think it's the best central midfield pairing in the league also the 2 up front that looks like it's starting to bear fruit that's a good spine, huge shout out for cirkin 2nd half got right into it with forward runs and defending. Great to see him back on form

 

Home now and a nice hot bath..Strange game didn't play that well but controlled most of the 2nd half. Could of been a 5-0 win but could of been 1-1. Need to be more clinical and kill games off. 3 points are 3 points and on we go. Rest a few maybe a signing or 2 and then Burnley big game. More than happy.

 

This is why I'd be trying to sort a permanent deal now for him, massive risk someone comes in with a big offer

 

Jobe and Neil are so comfortable as a pair, it's a joy to watch them

 

I've certainly not seen a better midfield pairing for any opposition this season

 

I don't think he would move anywhere else, can see it every game. There's only one team he wants to play for.

 

Leeds have the best midfield in the league.

Sheffield United when fully fit too probably better.

 

Souza + Hamer. Quality

 

Not on the reply I seen like. Was very very close but as usual we didn't get the decision.

 

I wouldn’t swap any player those 2 sides have CM for Dan or Jobe mind. Absolutely not.

I do like Souza mind. And Hamer but he’s an attacking mid.

 

Not a chance, we more than matched sheff utd twice this season and maybe dominated them down at their place. Leeds at home was more of battle but think no midfield came out top on that one. Let's see what happens down at elland road as they will gave to come at us and that's where we are lethal at breaking at speed

 

Sorry but Neil and Jobe are up there with the best in the league, as a 2 they have been quality, as a 3 with Rigg on their day they are as good as any midfield in the league

 

This, the lino guessed he was offside because he was too fast. From his position he could not say for definite he was off. In these cases I thought it was always give the attacker the benefit, not for us though. Let's not forget the chance they had from a free kick last few minutes when the same lino failed to flag for their striker being more offside than Isidor was

 

Rights.

We’ve bossed Sheff United twice (admittedly without Souza) and Leeds only got on top of us down the channels.

Why we underrate our own I don’t know, if we are short on Leeds it’s on attacking options not CM.

 

Exactly mate, just have to enjoy watching them while they are here.

Special mention to mepham and 09 today as well, so calm and collected today