Match Day Thread Sporting CP v Sunderland AFC - Monday 21st July 2025 - KO 20:00

Really pleased for Harrison Jones, one of our own and holding his own out of position against champions league standard players

 

Anyone?

 

I love Sadiki already. What a breath of fresh air it is seeing someone like him in the middle of the park for us. I cant wait to see Rigg play with these new lads.

 

Not terminal at all, it's more about decision making as Ballard isn't slow - a bit slow on the turn but he is a big lad after all

He just needs to learn when to press and when to drop off, as they all do. When playing a high press the CBs have to get their body shapes right as well, open it up at times so they are half facing their own goal and half facing the ball

CBs need confidence to play this way, as most hate having lots of space behind them. They need their other defenders to be in positions to cover for them at times and they need the forwards/midfielders to pressure the ball.

Ballard can definitely play this system imo

 

Good first half, looking forward to the second , two or three changes should be enough to win this imo.

 

I think he'll do just fine if he plays alongside someone that has pace

 

Yep.

It’s pre season so they’re not going at it full pelt, but fair play to him. He’s doing absolutely fine.

 

That midfield 3 is class too. Many wanted a proper DM and so did I but I think Sadiki and Diarra with how much ground they cover and the fluidity we seem to be very aggressive and win the ball back quite a bit

 

It’s all well and good playing well, but we need to turn this around. Need 3 points here.

 

As far as I can see he's been involved in one goal where he wasn't to blame.

 

I’ve always liked Dan Neil. But these 3 and their style of play. The pace, the energy, the athleticism just brung us to a new level. Not sure Dan Neil’s style will break into that 3.

I think he could move on me.

im not trying to be disrespectful or ruffle any feathers it’s just the way im seeing things right now

 

Yes, that would give us a head start in August

 

All about opinions, I thought he was poor for the goal but you can tell he learned from it as there were a couple of occasions where he needed to drop back and he was so quick to do so - sign of a good player that

 

Ballard and Hume both made a mistake for the goal. That's all it is, a mistake, its pre-season. It's not much deeper than that. Nobody is out to get Ballard.

 

Going to be fascinating to see which of the lads from last year can step up to where the new lads are…

 

Totally, the GK didn't help them at all

Mistakes happening especially when learning a new system/style of play

 

Rigg and triantis coming on so hopefully over their niggles.

 

Absolutely blown away by how different we are to last season. A few more games together and it’s all gelled nicely, little niggly bits of keeping ball better then we are going to be some team. Premier league isn’t going to know what’s hit it.
Haway the fking lads! Going all out and saying top 4

 

Love big Dan me.

I’ve no concerns about him playing PL. plenty of slow CBs had superb PL careers.

 

Alf garnett there lol