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

Discussion in 'Sunderland' started by RTB, Jan 2, 2025.

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Your Prediction:

Poll closed Jan 5, 2025.
  1. Home win

    92.1%
  2. Away win

    2.6%
  3. Draw

    5.3%
  1. marcusblackcat

    marcusblackcat SAFC Sheriff
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    Fixed it for you! His distribution is awful. Don’t think he commands his box very well either (although was a bit better yesterday)
     
    #661
  2. Prehab26

    Prehab26 Well-Known Member

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    Both keepers showcased poor distribution yday. At times, they looked like they were trying to outdo each other!
     
    #662
  3. Monkey69

    Monkey69 Well-Known Member

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    I personally don't think Pattos distribution is as bad as some make out but it is definitely not the strongest part of his game. However over the last few games we have been playing in some very bad and windy conditions so maybe a modicum of understanding is required as well.
     
    #663
  4. Robertson

    Robertson Well-Known Member

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    https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...set-aaron-connolly-talks-amid-transfer-hopes/

    upload_2025-1-6_8-14-12.jpeg

    REGIS Le Bris is set to hold talks with Aaron Connolly to determine the best course of action for the striker, who is struggling for game-time at Sunderland.…

    Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda are above Connolly in the Sunderland pecking order, and Le Bris is hopeful of adding a striker and a versatile forward to his squad before the end of the January transfer window. Le Bris also has Ahmed Abdullahi in his ranks, with the summer signing now back in training after a long spell out injured.

    Asked what that mean for Connolly, Le Bris said: "We'll see. It's still important we have this discussion and conversation with him this month and we'll look to build the best pathway for our players.

    "Sometimes it's not your story. We don't know at the moment what will be the outcome, we'll have this conversation."

    Le Bris says Connolly, who was a free agent when he signed a one-year deal with Sunderland, hasn't done anything wrong, but has been the unfortunate victim of both Isidor and Mayenda impressing the head coach.

    He said: "I think it's more a question of momentum. We spoke a lot with Aaron.

    "Eli started well and then was injured. After Wilson was very good and they built momentum.

    "When you have this momentum you have to trust the players. If I change every time it doesn't make sense. For Aaron, he's still a good player and teammate but he has to wait."

    Isidor underlined his Sunderland importance with the winner against Portsmouth yesterday.

    It was a third goal in four games for the striker, who is well and truly back on track after a seven-game stretch without a goal.

    Portsmouth boss John Mousinho described Isidor as "one of the best centre-forwards in the Championship", and Le Bris, whose Sunderland side are just three points behind Championship leaders Leeds, agreed, saying: "It's good because I don't think it was expected at that level. We know he's talented but he is also a hard worker and is a great teammate. He has shown that.

    "We've spoken often about the confidence of our strikers. It's still like that.

    "If you can keep a high level, it's better. The most important thing is the way they behave as a teammate and if you are connected, even if you struggle for a short period, you know you are working for the team and your teammates will know that and will help you."
     
    #664
  5. Hudson92

    Hudson92 Well-Known Member

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    Fair, waste of wages if we not going to use him, money that could be used to help with a top loan
     
    #665
    clockstander, TopCat. and Robertson like this.
  6. marcusblackcat

    marcusblackcat SAFC Sheriff
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    Almost literally what my son and I said.

    @cumbrianmackem it’s not that I’m singling anyone out. We didn’t play particularly well yesterday although we deserved the win. But Patterson’s kicking seems to have gone backwards to me and I don’t know why
     
    #666
  7. TopCat.

    TopCat. Well-Known Member

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    The Portsmouth keeper was the worst I've ever seen. Horrific with his feet and made Patto look like peak Ederson
     
    #667
  8. Smug in Boots

    Smug in Boots Well-Known Member

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    Even after the likes of Clarke, Jobe and Amad took a dozen or more games to find their feet players are still being judged on fewer. There's often a conflict between asking for 'more minutes' and being condemned on the basis of a fifteen minute sub appearance. When Aleksic came on, for his first sub appearance, I saw people say 'not strong enough' as if the club are delusional ... madness imo. Because he didn't beat the keeper, with his first ever chance, 'he can't finish'.

    And, with existing players like Patterson and O'Nien, some seem to believe posting on forums is like a campaign to get players out of the club and their words will be scrutinised by the club. Wilson and Mayenda have both been rubbished for daring to miss a chance or go a few games without scoring which makes us look childish and entitled.

    I get the impression these 'judgements' are made quickly so it's easier to say ''told you so' ...

    ... if that's what fills yer boots then fair enough I suppose.
     
    #668
  9. Smug in Boots

    Smug in Boots Well-Known Member

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    I honestly believe they were freezing their knackers off tbh.

    The outfield players can keep warm, and mobile, with constant running.

    The keepers are basically standing out in the open for nearly two hours ...

    ... in any other situation that would be condemned as madness.

    With the driving sleet the wind chill factor must have been seriously bad.
     
    #669
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2025
  10. Evil Jimmy Krankie

    Evil Jimmy Krankie Well-Known Member

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    That’s because a lot on here are ex professionals and would know exactly what to do in any given situation…..:emoticon-0112-wonde
     
    #670

  11. marcusblackcat

    marcusblackcat SAFC Sheriff
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    Yep. I played for the Pot & Glass. As pro level as it gets
     
    #671
  12. Frazier the Lion

    Frazier the Lion Well-Known Member

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    I think it’s overconfidence and nonchalance as much as anything. He’s pretty two footed which is a massive plus. However he really tries to spray the ball around and makes fairly risky choices. As with anything it’s just practice. Perhaps the coaching staff are asking him to take these risks. After all the failures are far more conspicuous than the successes.
     
    #672
  13. Smug in Boots

    Smug in Boots Well-Known Member

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    Dan Neil certainly was, especially in the second half.
     
    #673
  14. RTB

    RTB Well-Known Member

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    It could have been worse
    - ask Freddie Woodman

     
    #674
  15. Frazier the Lion

    Frazier the Lion Well-Known Member

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    Given where we are in the season they must be satisfied that it gives us more than it risks us. There’ll be a development part of it of course, but also there’s certainly times when Patterson’s confidence to pass off both feet helps our buildup. You’d have to imagine that they’ve weighed it up.
     
    #675
  16. Evil Jimmy Krankie

    Evil Jimmy Krankie Well-Known Member

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    Northamptonshire Police. International me like.
     
    #676
  17. Mackem74

    Mackem74 Well-Known Member

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    I personally think Mayenda has an unbelievably high ceiling and could go really far. Championship defenders can't live with him, he's so explosive and strong at this level. I'd be amazed if prem scouts haven't already got their eye on him
     
    #677
  18. Smug in Boots

    Smug in Boots Well-Known Member

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    'Six pointers' between the top three ...

    ... plus other key games like Boro v Sunderland and Sheff Wed v Sheff Utd.

    Burnley v Leeds
    Leeds v Sunderland
    Sheff Utd v Leeds
    Burnley v Sunderland
    Burnley v Sheff Utd

    Things can seriously change, Burnley's home games could really make or break their season.
     
    #678
  19. E.T. Fairfax

    E.T. Fairfax Well-Known Member

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    Yesterday was as close as I'll ever get to being disappointed with a 1-0 win.
     
    #679
  20. Smug in Boots

    Smug in Boots Well-Known Member

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    I know what you mean but I was delighted tbh.

    This last month has been hard on the players who've played lots of games through horrendous conditions.

    Considering the injuries we've had I think they'll battled hard ...

    ... they looked exhausted after the game and a fortnight off is just what they need.

    It'll be like Christmas for them.
     
    #680

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