Yeah same. Thought Roberts was probably better than ELF last night to be fair. Really tracked back all night. Typical winger tackle.
That was a sore one https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...e-bris-says-sunderland-need-learn-leeds-loss/ REGIS LE BRIS admits Sunderland’s 2-1 defeat at Leeds United last night highlighted the need for increased squad depth in the closing stages of the season… “It's still the same focus for us,” said the Sunderland boss. “A defeat here won't change our way of thinking. We are still in a good place, and I think this team is improving game after game, even after a tough game like this one. “The next layer for us is just winning at home in our next game. After that, we will see. “I think it shows that we need a little bit more depth in our squad. I think this will be the case in the next few weeks because we will have two, three, four players who were injured. “When they are fit again, they are going to be very useful for the team. I think this will make a difference. Romaine is one example, because he has not played for a long time.” Sunderland were ahead for the best part of an hour last night, but Leeds were ratcheting up the pressure long before Struijk equalised with 12 minutes remaining. The home side continued to press when the scores were level, and unlike in the first half, when they were able to offer a considerable threat on the counter-attack, Sunderland’s players were unable to hold on to the ball as Leeds’ dominance eventually told late on. “It was a tough second half, but we need to admit that Leeds were very good,” said Le Bris. “Sometimes, when you play against such a strong team, sometimes you can't find the solution. “We can always find the elements in the game that we can improve. For example, our restarts in the second half from goal kicks. We couldn't keep the ball, so we just kept kicking away the ball and then they come back quickly to our box. “This is an example of the details we can look at and improve. You can learn from these experiences - I think Leeds have more experience than us and I think you could feel this in the second half and at the end of the game. “We have to learn from this bad feeling and after we have analysed the game deeply, we can find the elements to improve.”
I stated before the game how I wanted us to line up to get the best out of the tactics. O'Nien and Rigg would have dropped out for me. But I will say, O'Nien was good again and I think Rigg played his part well, it's just he's not as explosive as some of our other options, so the counter relies upon his dribbling and passing. The Samed sub could have been Aleksic? I mean why not? He'd have grafted at least the same amount and given us an option on the ball. That man Isidor, I don't think it's said enough how brilliant he is. There was a thread OTR regarding Ross Stewart and I said I'd have him over Wilson if you could guarantee him fit and firing. But RS could simply not do what this man does on the ball. His little dribble in the first half where he took about 5 of their lads out was remarkable. Cirkin is really struggling going backwards and forwards, I still think we could have used Jan as a time to sign a prodigy at fullback. Roberts just wasn't on it at all. Enough said. Ballard has been a miss just to watch, he's pretty much Luke on the roids, without discrediting his ability. Le Fee coming into the centre has to be happening in the next couple of weeks you'd think.
I wouldn’t say I was been harsh I was saying he shouldn’t have gave a nothing free kick away, but we were doing it most of the night tbf to him
Yeah I agree, I can see why he brought Samed on, I was wanting Samed on for Rigg to calm us down a bit like he did at Boro but Samed should’ve dropped into CDM and swapped with Neil. I wonder where those idiots who called Wilson ****e when he first signed without kicking a ball are now?
that’s it, the positions of improvement in this squad are absolutely clear as day now and it starts with Patterson and Roberts, mind the difference between parachute payment money and not having that was clear last night just by the players Leeds could put on the pitch from their bench.
They'll be the same ones that said neil only gets praise because he's a local lad and he shouldn't be anywhere near the team
Cirkin hasn't looked right since his wrist operation. I also think the lack of a winger is really killing him. ELF is a top player but Christ he doesn't protect the flank. Cirkin is getting doubled up on loads and he is always on the last chance saloon, diving it. You never normally associate that with him, telling me that he is getting exposed too much. I agree with Rigg but last night he made the least amount of passes that any of our midfielders, and the least accurate. His goal / assist stats are very poor. Yes, he drops back in but if that's all we want from our 10, that tells it's own story. Ballard is class. Nice to see him back. His passing is also fine. I still think we should try to get Ballard and Mepo together. Our defensive record is actually poor for a top 4 team, and we keep conceding with balls into the box. Ballard and Mepo will massively help with this. 09 has been good but I feel it's probably the time to try the two that have the best defensive qualities and the highest ceiling. Wilson is very good, but I think it's a sign of our style that he is often not involved as much as we would like him to be. That, or we need an effective 10 to play next to him.
Potential wise we probably won’t, but as they currently are at the minute there’s plenty. Based on performances this season I doubt Rigg would even be in top 20 midfielders. We might already have one on the bench in Aleksic.
Agree with most of that, but the Robert’s comment I am not so sure about. Mistake aside for their second goal, he grafted his arse off defending. Not his”thing” but he did. Helped Hume out massively against a very good player. Going forward he did little to nothing so I get that to some extent
Yeah I agree. Rigg has 1 assist in 30 appearances and 79.4% passing accuracy. As a 10 / second striker it's not close to being good enough. Top top talent but now we have some injured players returning, he has to take his place on the bench for me.
Reckon mundle would be okay to start Saturday? I’ve got the fear his hammy goes ping if he’s not eased in from the bench for a few games
Starting is probably too much of a risk. The fact he didn't get a minute last night and we decided to play Samed as a second striker, tells me that Mundle isn't ready, yet. I would be hopefully of a solid 20-30 mins against Hull on Saturday though.
Aye fair point, wouldn’t have minded aleksic wide and le fee central late on yesterday, offers pace and always looks to go forward
I think Aleksic would have been the perfect sub to be fair. Quick, plays central and can drop in and drive into the 10. Even if he wanted to feel ELF out wide.
Also agreed. Suppose the difference is that whilst we played well and defended resolutely, Leeds were able to bring players on to enhance their play and cause us problems. We just don't have that strength in depth. Had Browne and Mundle been 100% fit, then they might have been the players to help us, but we just couldn't stand up to the pressure in the end. Like I say, really tough one to take but no shame in losing to this lot.
