I think Roberts had a canny game to be honest. Drove in lots and put a shift in. Thought Clarke was actually quiet for most of the game.
Seems a good honest bloke and they tend to do well here, I like what I’ve seen of him so far, don’t think he’ll take any ****
Id agree with the same marking, clarke would only just edge it because of his goal. 1st half i thought both looked good n 2nd half i didnt think even were great. Both.switched off defensively at times in the 2nd
I'm glad you said this mate. I was reading this today as I didn't get the chance to watch and everyone was positive while pointing out a few issues. Then I read your post and I thought to myself "****ing hell he is usually a happy clapper so maybe it's not looking that good ' Then I convinced myself you got out the wrong side of the bed
The only time I was worried was when they attacked Hume. Browne had to keep leaving the centre to help out ... ... Roberts was knackered at 65 minutes.
Not a dig mate, the SOL is poor at times ... ... our first day atmospheres are usually pretty good though. The commentators kept saying how flat it was but the stadium is too big for them at times.
I thought Roberts played well once we settled into our game after the first five minutes. I think those marks are pretty fair.
Clever ball for the Mayenda chance. He looks like he’s been told to release it sooner which is welcome.
Loving what I’m reading on here. Don’t see why any of the reservations about any of it aren’t coachable by RLB including Mayenda. Great opening game.
Not being great to watch and playing poorly are not the same thing. We did exactly what an away side should when a home side is dominating possession. We weren’t great to watch from a neutral perspective, but we were very good at what we did.
I know they’re not the same thing. I think we defended well but were poor in possession. I think better sides beat us playing how we did today. I’m delighted others haven’t seen it the same way. But it’s how I saw it. Even RLB has said he’s disappointed how we let Cardiff control possession.
There's a lot of talk around certain Sunderland players being the best in their position in the league, I disagree with a few ie Hume and Neil but Cirkin is the one who has the strongest case for being the best LB in the league. He’s as good defensively as Hume but also brilliant going forward, good in the air, strong on the ball. Proper athlete. Hopefully stay injury free and get another good season under his belt.
I totally agree mate. If Cardiff had come to the SOL, played like that and won 2-0 people would be saying it was a classic away performance. We played safe at first, quietened the crowd and made the most of the possession we had. Under Mowbray we were exhausted by the end of the season, hopefully this will be better thought out. I think there'll be a different team out on Tuesday.
100%. I hope his summer of self fitness pays off. Really put the graft in and didn't party like some. Paid a fortune to be on wellness retreats and stuff.
Very happy with the result, only slight criticism was I thought Neil and Jobe gave the ball away very cheaply a few times and we could have been punished if Cardiff had been any good. Never really felt comfortable until the 2nd went in, but that could be due to being let down many times in the past. Stay in the top 6 until Ballard returns and get a striker in and I think we’ll be ok for at least the play offs this season.
Roberts reverse ball for Jobe to create the Mayenda chance was top quality. Thought Roberts overall was more involved and you can see Hume and Browne making triangles with him and that means teams wont double up on him easily.
