Match Day Thread Saints vs Stoke City - Saturday, August 23 - 15:00 KO

I know why you say this and it’s possible, but I think the issue is more that we need to have a midfield 2 or 3 with chemistry
It’s fast interplay when in possession and hunting in packs when out, that wins the midfield and I don’t see that at present

Same needed with backs/wingbacks/wide forwards, a la Bridgey & CMFG or Bertie & Punch
(For those old enough to remember)

 

Sunderland Till I Die documentary is a cracker and demonstrates some fans psychology really well

When they’re winning they’re all “We’re the greatest fans in the fookin world” but when they miss out on promotion / get relegated they’re absolutely toxic

 

Watched the highlights back and we did enough to win. Robinson’s chances, Harwood-Bellis’ header, plus the ones from Downes and Stewart – on another day at least one of those goes in and it’s a different game.

The bigger issue for me is how we let Stoke grow into it. With three at the back and two holding mids, we should be taking control from the start. You could see their confidence build after half an hour.

We’re clearly still short on confidence after last season, but we should be controlling the game more than what we did yesterday, first half in particular.

Frustrating result, but not the end of the world like I felt at FT yesterday – we did more than enough to win, and probably do on a different day.

 

On the issue of us not controlling the game, goals change games and if we start taking our chances, we’ll maybe control games better

Need one of our two No9s starting and Adarma on the right

 

For sure, an early goal yesterday changes the dynamic for us completely.

Instead, not only did we not score but we never get a foot on the ball to dictate the game and establish any dominance which I would expect from not only the ability of the players compared to the majority of the league but also the way we are setup.

My point is, in the absence of a goal we should be looking to suffocate teams and our performance levels are not allowing us to do that.. yet

Hopefully that comes as they grow in confidence and find a rhythm.

 

We need a Ricky Lambert type player with a Lallana type supplying him and Fonte defending them

 

Trueish, but also I think Stoke are better than most and we aren’t as good as people think we should be

Just to say, I’m not expecting auto promotion, and I’m happy not expecting that