As I get closer they instantly start praising Sunderland while I stare at them ... ... completely changed the tone of the conversation. You can see the bald lad giving me the sideways glances and shuffling around
Spot on. The game makes less of these characters now. You only need one like that. Then the others, the lads who might be leaders elsewhere gather around him. It makes a very strong dressing room. All teams suffer in this league for spells, maybe not Arsenal this year, but every other team will have a run of games that go away from you, and a strong dressing room is one of the main things that gets you out at the other end of a bad run. Bargain of the season, and we have a few of the next best bargains too!
Can you sing "Bring me sunshine" and do that little dance, off into the distance? If so you've cracked it
The significance of coming back from 2 down is huge imo. Heads didnt drop from anyone, players, coaches or the crowd. The options we have off the bench are fantastic and rumours of bringing in more quality in January.
Aye, he shat the bed Smith mind, him and Xhaka contesting a ball on halfway in front of the dugouts second half, he left one on Xhaka and ran past him to get the ball. Xhaka just glowered at him and muttered something to him, Smith then protesting his innocence, Xhaka having none of it. I thought, right that's Xhaka's yellow sorted, he'll flatten him next time he gets chance. Few minutes after the goal Smith is subbed off. I think he was glad to get off the pitch unscathed.
Tom Petty's "I wont back down" could be a canny song to end on at the SoL. I wouldnt say the lads battle or grind their way out of bother. They play the same good football. Nothing phases them. They just know they are good enough.
We hark back to really good times like Reidy's and Keano's. Glorious to be in the middle (or the start?) of another. Makes us appreciate every bit of it, down to our core, after the league 1 days.
Le Fee went straight over to Xhaka after the goal to congratulate him on the vision and the quality of that. Nice disguise on the pass from Le Fee as well, to set Xhaka up. Shaped as if to cross it.