You've hit the nail right on the head mate, you really have. Those who travel to, sorry Hull, dreary places up and down the country seem to know that how they behave affects everyone around them ... and that includes the home support who become a bit quieter and less confident. So, as you found yesterday, the travellers get out of buses, cars and trains, have a stretch and a pint then sing, laugh, show their colours and support the club but also support each other. What they don't do is demoralise other supporters with the constant whining you see on forums. Yes I know it's everyone's right to have an opinion but, seriously, what's the point of repeating the same moans about our strikers, our manager, our owner, our club ... ... so, forgive me, but I'd like nothing better than to see the 'no one will be more pleased than me to be proved wrong' brigade have their noses rubbed in their own mess. They're quick to have a go at optimism and enthusiasm but are sharp to complain if anyone reminds them of what they've previously said. It's always 'Come on, we're all Sunderland supporters, let's not argue after such a great day'. Ha'way the Lads!
Thought we looked good at the back yesterday and Neil in midfield is so important to our tempo and driving the team. Just 2 days till we go again, it's a brutal schedule, with no time for MB to do much (I assume) but talk to the players about things he wants to see improve. I still believe we only need small tweaks to get us really firing again
It's a very good question that can't just be shrugged off by saying he knew Dodds or Speakman imo. It's obviously not because he was going up a league either although I'm sure he could've gone to a club like Fulham, Brentford or Brighton. It's because, despite what the Doom & Gloom brigade will claim, KLD and Speakman have made Sunderland a highly regarded club. Bellingham will have been guided by people in the game, including his brother, who'll know this is the right club with the right structure to coach and develop players who'll be given game time if it's merited and possible. There was a long period, even quite recently, when we had to literally bribe players to move to the NE ... ... we're now, in my opinion, a club that players would actively encourage their agents to pursue, especially young ambitious ones. The club is improving continually, and hopefully the results will follow suit.
That result has made going back to work today 50x more bearable, must have watched the goal about 100 times yesterday everyone knows what he wants to do but when he’s in full flow good luck stopping him
I may have misjudged things, in the heat of the moment with the goal, but I thought there was a feeling that we can't win unless Clarke scores. I think that's a bit unfair on what was a very good team effort. It's also a little skewed imo, the three goals against WBA and Leeds were scored by three different players and little, if any, contribution from Clarke. He's obviously a very good player but not the only one, O'Nien played equally as well yesterday imo, as did a few others. It's almost as if pointing out Clarke's contribution is another dig at the striker situation ... ... but, as I said, I may have misjudged it. I just believe that, after Coventry, we needed a tight compact performance to steady things.
We simply haven’t the balance in such v such a strong set of other sides mate. Just what I feel over last few weeks with the wobbles and inconsistencies. I mean we in a playoff spot and anything can happen if we land there of course I just, at the moment, just don’t think we have enough. Could change January of course. Hope I’m wrong mind cos I love this side sometimes ha.
Can't remember much of the game cos I was sat watching on my phone in my local but we seemed to be more tighter defensively than we have been lately which can only be a good thing
Realise he on the small size but he never seems to generate power in his shooting , I suggested he may have a foot problem and is holding back or he needs protective boots . I don’t know how many chances he has spurned this season but he is in danger of losing his place in the side unless he chips in with some goals , he is a lovely player to watch and is so talented but HAS to contribute more sooner rather than later .
Love this post. In my days at Sunderland uni, I never missed a home or away game (mid 90s). Away games are still my favourite to this day. Absolutely love them. I love watching the lads. And I’m an optimist!
Im reserving judgement as I’m still not impressed but the bloke needs some time, I’m certainly not sat here hoping we lose and people that are proved right with their doubts. No fan in their right mind does that and I hope he’s a success. Yesterday was a great result but it papers over the cracks and confirms our game plan of give the ball to Clarke and hope something happens. Yesterday it worked. I bloody hope we see some tactical changes and improvements to our attacking play, and I don’t mean playing people in their wrong position .
Having a striker in the box would give teams something else to think about and make us less one dimensional. Between Clarke and Roberts against Coventry they must’ve put at least 8 crosses into the box and I’m not sure any found one of our players. Defenders would snap your hand off to play a full 90 minutes without having to deal with any balls in behind.
I keep reading that all we do is give it to Clarke and hope he does his thing mate. I know people want to see that continue, but have other options as well. The thing for me is though sides throughout history have done this when they find a star in their side. Every team who had Maradona in it, Messi for Argentina, Ronaldo, Best, Zidane. I am not comparing Clarke, but he has the same of impact relatively speaking, so not giving him at every opportunity would be a poor tactic I think this season. However, we do play other tactics of course. Roberts too is a play for us, and ia criticised. Jobe is a player we look to, as is Pritchard and Neil. I dont think we play to Clarke at the exclusion of all else, but we would be barmy not to use him to the maximum. In my opinion anyway.
That's true. There were some decent balls in the box yday and literally no one making good quality runs across and into the 6 yard box. The amount fo chaos we normally cause in the 18 yard box, a poacher would absolutely make a difference. So many deflections, and opportunities we don't take because we have no natural striker, sniffing it out.
Can’t believe people are wanting roberts replaced He may not score goal However he takes the defenders away from the ( forwards) He links up well and has an understanding with our attacking options Yeah he is great on the ball and the final result is not there yet We have tried ba he’s no better I can’t see dropping him for a none specialist wide man would improve us at the moment
Yes but the difference is, the ones I mentioned weren’t reserving judgement on Saturday, but now he’s won a game and played pretty well, they are! One said “I’ll reserve judgement until Rotherham on Friday”! As for “not impressed “. I thought we played well yesterday and could easily have had more goals. I know nothing about the bloke, so I’m on the fence. But I will support him and choose to have a go at those who sing Mowbray’s name to try to get under the Ownership’s skin! He’s been in the job a week, a win under his belt. 6th in the table. First 3 games in his first 10 days in charge. Tough ask.
