I'm not going to name names, but just point out something I have noticed a lot of with our team. The passing, fair enough some of the actual passes have been ****e. even ones who should be able to do better. But for one hell of a lot of those passes the pass has been fine, but the recipient just stands and waits for the ball. Far to often a defender who could be two paces behind just makes a little bit of effort and darts in front to take the ball. Then the recipient waves his arms about as if the ball wasn't good enough. The ball was good enough, it's just that there are opposition players who want to intercept the pass. And they are reading the game better than you, ya twat. Even for short passes I've seen them do it. FFS move your ****ing arses and go to the ball! Oh and after making a pass that actually connects with a team mate, instead of standing there hands on hips, basking in the glory of managing to hit a team mate. Could you please move your ****ing arse instead and make yourself available for a return pass, just in case.
I would only trust Fletcher (he is simply a top, top quality player imo) and maybe Rose to actually retain possession when passed the ball. The rest are some of the best I've ever seen at not being able to retain the ball or pass to a team mate in my lifetime.
It's starting to worry me Cest. As I say these are basic skills. Even when they receive the ball and have time to look up and pick another pass. They either dither or look backward. Both of which leaves us under pressure. Ming hoofing the ball to the oppos doesn't help either.
opinions eh I think Fletchers first touch whilst trying to hold the ball up is terrible, he also doesnt do enough to get into positions to get into space for me. the cry was when we were after him was, he scores a lot from not many chances he will get loads of chances in our team but he doesnt, and his goals are drying up as well. Bring back Bent for me Villa dont want him so why not.
Today has left me very empty kidda. Defeat or failure to win on Tuesday will have those little alarm bells ringing in my head and our record of results under O'Neill will be worse than under Bruce. That's not something I expected or believed possible with a manger of Martins pedigree.
Opinions eh Steve? I wouldn't have Bent back if he paid us. Hahaha Fletcher isn't a target man he wants the ball whilst he is on the move.
I make no excuses for reviving this thread as after tonight it is clear as a TEAM they aren't making enough effort. FFS! Pass and move and get your arse forward. You're having to run back when we lose the ball anyway, why not do it after attacking? Ming was once again waving everyone forward and hoofing it and the ball was coming straight back. Marty get them on the training ground and show them how to pass and move!!!!!!! For Christs sake as far as I can remember you used to do it as a player.
What the ****??????? Fletcher has the best first touch I've seen in a long, long time. Seriously, WTF!!
Against newcstle he brought it down but it landed 5 feet to the right of him if tiote had been on the pitch = chance wasted, West Brom he brought it down went 5 yards ahead of him (he had his back to goal) WBA player came in kicked him and the ball was lucky to get a free kick. running on goal when he does actually find space (which isnt often) he is fine with his first touch, but other than that he isnt imho. but thats the beauty of forums and opinions, we all have different ones.
Makems rule this post sums up Sunderland perfectly!!!!! What the **** do they do all week on the training ground??? What ever happened to pass and move. You could see players hiding from the ball and go missing tonight. I lost count of how many times the ball was floated to Johnson to header on the touchline, no one within 20 yards of him and two men coming at him before he has had chance to control the ball! I mean what the **** is going on. No basics anywhere on the feild of play. All night long the first instinct was to make a safe backwards pass or side ways. They were that ponderous on the ball that by the time they got their heads up to look forward the rest had given up any hope of the ball being played in their direction they were simply wandering around. The body language of the players was shocking. This is make or break if O'Neill doesn't shake it up and the players don't react from that performance we are doomed!
