First - we won - away. We won - and those three points get a really nasty monkey off our backs. Watch the teams who go through a couple more games without securing those three points - not fun. Then there is the away element - can we look solid and threaten teams in our lower half mini league - I'm already confident we can. These could be invaluable points to keep us away from the danger zone. There were a few other questions posed pre season - like can Hoolahan cut it in this division. I think that question is already answered and some. Three assists, composure and great work rate. Hoolahan has started the season brilliantly. Legend. But the big story is Redmond. He has always been missing goals, but not any more. Whatever AN does this season, the difference could be Redmond continuing to hit the onion bag. Right now you would back him to do that on a regular basis. Two games down, two very different challenges, but two good performances and already belief, confidence and good football being played. Not so bad being back in the PL.
Very impressed with us going forward in both games, but we still need better defenders. Brady looked better today......Hoolahan is ****ing immense.
First of the promoted teams to win too. But there was very little to be negative about this game, it was the perfect performance. Grumpy people looking for any negatives should just relax, open a beer and enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Much to admire, but for me the highlight was the crisp passing and the clear understanding between the players, Sunderland couldn't deal with it and that made the difference. AN really has them working as a team.
Some great comments here, very little negative from today just that little slip of concentration. Just need to tighten that up and we'll be golden. I'm not convinced we need another CB as desperately as some think. I'm not saying we don't need one but if we can work a bit more and everyone plays to their potential I think we'll do ok. Once Ollson is back too....
I've just watched yesterday's game again online and I felt it was a pretty good performance (even if Sunderland were there for the taking). As someone says on here, the crisp, quick passing was very nice to see. I can't understand the people criticising Grabban when he came on. I thought he did a perfect job for a team who are leading, taking the ball to the corners and then winning several corner kicks which took any remaining sting out of the game. I also felt Martin and Bassong both did very well. Martin's goal was a fluke, but he and Seb looked very solid against what I admit was a poor Sunderland attack. Whittaker, another of the favourites of the boo boys, was excellent going forward. He may have defensive weaknesses but he can do things in attack that lots of full backs can't. Hoolahan's touches for the assists were genius. He just seems to be getting better and better as he gets older. And whatever happens this season - even if we go back down (which I don't think we will, unless Simon Hooper and his bent linesman referee a lot of our matches) - it looks like it's going to be a lot more fun than last time. Haven't felt this hopeful for a long time.
He certainly has and has continued in the same vein as we played at Wembley. From what I saw on MOTD, there were a lot fewer stray passes than we usually see. If we keep playing like this, we'll be fine whether or not we sign any star players!!!!
The real difference was them being 1st to each ball. There was a real hunger there and they hunted as a pack. If conceding a sloppy late goal is the only negative, lifes really not that bad after all.
Careful now criticising the boo boys you might get smacked ;-) Motd was refreshing they didn't just say Sunderland were poor they actually heaped the praise on us too, glad I was sitting down!
Great post above (#9), SingaporeCanary Bassong and Whittaker are transformed characters since Neil came in. Confident, assured, calm and knowing they have Tettey (and / or Mulumbu when fit) to patrol just in front of them gives them both licence to get forward more than they're accustomed. Joking aside, if this Wisdom lad is any good, he could play at RB with Whittaker ahead of him as a RM, if needed. This would free up Redmond to play in a slightly more central role, just behind the striker? How strange that Whittaker has gone from being ironically applauded off when subbed vs Brentford when he was forced to play right mid, to now looking as if he may bring a new dynamic to that position if asked!
The criticism of Whits was always based around his defensive duties. His attacking play has frequently been excellent. Even after the palace game where he took some flack, most had to admit he's a good attacking player.
I don't really think the late goal was that sloppy. It was basically a mishit by the player, the ball bounced again, and then the flight became very difficult to predict.
We were brilliant yesterday very slick passing and movement, if we can keep Hoolahan and Redmond fit then we'll be fine this season.
TBF me neither, but the gaffer and commentary certainly did. I took more positives than negatives from last week as well.
