Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v West Ham - Saturday 16th August 2025 - KO 15:00

The new players were no doubt impressed with the support against West Ham which they'd expect, to an extent ...

... but they'll find that the support at Burnley will be just as good, in it's own way, whether we win, lose of draw.

Adingra looked a bit shocked at the start as did a few others, probably contributed to the hesitant start.

Big SOL crowds can help our players ...

... I also really believe they can wear teams like Wes Ham down, even PL teams.

I said before the game going to a non-glamour match, like Sunderland, wouldn't fire them up, it didn't.

 

Bet the new lads, bar Granit who knows the league, will be in awe of the away support.

 

I love the way he mentions all the great teams in the prem. 6 or 7.
Not the mags though

https://www.skysports.com/football/...ualities-of-achieving-premier-league-survival

 

I agree with what you're saying and understand it to a point, but I don't think lazy is the right choice of word. These pundits are paid to follow the Premier League. They're watching full games or highlights of 10 league games a week, plus cup and European football. They don't have time to watch a lot of Championship football on top and to be honest, we're completely unfamiliar to them. That's why people took notice at the Xhaka and Adingra signings more than anything else - they were known quantities and Xhaka especially took them by surprise because it was so different to their perception of us.

 

That’s what I see every time I look at his stupid yap.

 

Official Highlights

2 mins:

Extended:

Full 90:
https://www.safc.com/videos/3a8d8fd9-3159-4ea3-81a1-baa3b1055ecb

Access all areas:

 

On the crowd. I remember many moons ago, there was a suggestion our "hostile" atmosphere was counter productive to the squad, that there was an expectation and it made us shy in offence and nervous defensively.

I think the issue long ago is, we didnt have a strong side mentally or technically. I remember brilliant players like Welbeck, Sessegnon, Cattermole, Bent, Mignolet, Mensah, Brown, Reveleire, etc etc...I could quite easily go on.

But in that time, with Premier League lads we had that smattering of consistent lower grade lads who were always here, some done brilliant and overachieved you could say, like Colback at times, Bardsley and Collins, even Seb Larsson. But we had so many who just couldn't cut it nor did they have the balls or....whats the word I'm looking for? Temperament?

I have no doubt someone like Talbi who is very young and didnt hugely impress in pre season, has this sort of personality combined with drive and discipline. Like Mayenda, like Sadiki, like Rigg. Its so impressive.

**** it, I know its early doors, but I just don't see how we are not a long term success after years of yo-yo club rhetoric, slack ownership and overpaid puddings.

We will stay up and we will get to the semi finals of a domestic cup.

 

Talking about signing another winger on the other thread, how good was it for Talbi and Adingra to get an assist each in their first game? Should help with confidence and belief. Adingra’s cross was excellent and Talbi looks like a very clever player.

 

Adingra’s ball in was absolutely superb. Really excited about him but I already knew he was a good player.

 

Yeah both wingers stepped up when it came to a competitive game, adingra tenacious and Talbi didn't give the ball away

 

This is so true.

When that sort of positive energy is emitted, and it keeps rolling down into the pitch, the players feel it.

But you have to have the right kind of players. Too often in the past we have had players who clearly shrunk into themselves when it was loud and raucous. Mostly that's not their fault, it's just that big, boiling atmospheres aren't for them.

But we've got those players now. And we've got a few leaders in there to keep them at it. It's a bloody marvellous, virtuous circle when it gets going and it will win us points.

Worth losing your voice for!

 

Only 2 players over 25

6 players under 23

 

That's what I was thinking on Saturday, the players seemed overawed at first but were really feeding off it by the end ...

... exciting to see.

 

It was bloody noisy mind, and down at pitch level, where I've sat a few times, the noise "stays in". Something to do with the roof line being a constant level.

But they got the hang of it and thrived. A few remarks from their people about an " insane atmosphere" tells you that they were affected too, especially in the second half.

 

Ballard is getting an old bastard now....lol

 

Watched the full game live on Saturday morning morning here. Obviously thoroughly enjoyed it to say the least. There has been lots of great posts about the game so nothing really new from me that hasn't already been said to add. I think my overall feeling is one of immense pride of what I had seen. The fans were just on another level after I thought the Coventry and Sheffield Utd support couldn't have been beaten. So hats off to all off you who were in the SOL. The club....KLD, KS etc have built us a team to be proud of. I don't know whether I'm in shock or just amazed where we are at this moment......never want this to end....HTL!!!!

 

The AccessAllAreas video is brilliant, particularly the goals, which I watched over and over and I really liked the following pieces I picked up on, which were:

After Mayendas goal, in the background you can see Xhaka run towards Alderete for his cross. Then, when Mayenda does his goal celebration, Sadiki and Diarra join in. At this point Xhaka and Alderete get to the group and leap onto the back of it. Finally, Sadiki and Diarra hang back, put on a really serious face and give Mayenda a firm handshake with a nod of the head (are they in a secret gentleman's club or long lost brothers who have just found each other ).

For Isidors goal, once Alderete wins the header he sets of at pace to support Talbi. He then stops, either realising that he doesn't need to or because Xhaka shouted at him. However, it is, surprisingly Xhaka who is one of the main chasers, easing up outside the box as Isidor reaches the box.

Just little things that tickled my little mind.

 

I agree mate, it's these subtle little things that are sometimes the most impressive.

Alderete has only been at the club 10 minutes and wasn't expecting to play. But in the heat of battle he either has the presence of mind to get back into the game plan shape or, as you say, Xhaka is organising the whole team from front to back. It was also great to see a debutant young keeper shouting at experienced defenders at corner kicks ...

... it's football Jim, but not as we know it

 

I loved the hand shakes.

Was clearly pre planned between them, great to see the young buck bonded with the multi millions signings.

That weaving of the tapestry is part of what’s gonna make us strong.

Mayenda is just bursting with character and personality.