I think Ballard was limping at the end of the game so it may not be a choice we have to make. I would rather get him fully fit and ready to go again
2nd on goal difference at this stage isn't to sniffed at, would've been class going into Christmas 1st, and while there's still the opportunity to do that I feel the draws are starting to bite us on the arse.
Leeds are top and have also drawn five, Burnley have drawn six ... ... we'll win on Tuesday to break our sequence, just you wait
I must admit like - this season has been absolutely superb so far. Some of the memories already made will last a lifetime. I missed my train home last night (don’t ask ) and my phone was dead whilst being far too drunk. Not to worry, plenty red and whites about to help me out. Roll on Friday down Sheffield.
Never mind Clocky. We play Swansea next month. Looking at today's game, their stadium is aptly named the Liberty Stadium. They gave Leeds the freedom of their penalty box. I lost count of the number of times Leeds got in easily down the sides and crossed it for 2 attackers against 1 defender. We would have a field day.
What was said in Sunderland dressing room at Millwall https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/24746894.said-sunderland-dressing-room-millwall/ SINCE joining Sunderland, Aaron Connolly has stressed his desire to put his experience to good use - and that was the case in the away dressing room at The Den on Saturday evening. Connolly was keen to ensure his teammates set about striking the right balance in the aftermath of his early opener being cancelled out by Millwall's 93rd minute equaliser. Sunderland must, Connolly insisted, learn from the experience - particularly on the back of letting a two-goal lead slip against Coventry before the international break.... "It's a crazy game and a crazy league," said Connolly. "We're still right up there and have two big games coming up so we have to focus on that. "We go into every game expecting three points. It feels like a loss, like every late goal does, but we just said in the dressing room we need to learn from it. Connolly said: "It's frustrating but we still got something out of the game, we can't forget that. "Just because it was a late equaliser, we shouldn't be negative. We weren't happy in there but won't let it affect us at the start of a big week." Connolly marked his second Sunderland start with his first goal in red and white - and is now determined to kick on. He said: "It's like every new player at a new club, you want to get that first goal. Thankfully mine came after my second start so I didn't have to wait too long. Now I want to get 5, 10, 15. Hopefully I get my first one at the Stadium of Light soon." Head coach Regis Le Bris, like Connolly, was balanced in his verdict. He said: “The first half was really positive. “We controlled the game and we played under pressure. “The collective mindset was very good. We scored once but we probably had two or three opportunities to score a second goal. “We didn’t and we knew when we are away to this kind of team with a very impressive style of play with good accuracy, it is going to be tough. “We have to improve some elements of our game, especially in the second half. At the end it is a good point away."
I'm pleased they've highlighted Connolly ... ... it would be a shame if his goal is tainted by the late equaliser imo.
Don't think there's much danger of that. I like him,he seems committed to proving a point,and we could be the beneficiaries....he may be our jack in the box when it comes down to the end game.
sorry lads but that 2nd half was woeful and it is not the first time i have felt that. very surprised with the 1st half though, thought the lads would struggle more due to the changes but they came out and pretty much held them at bay, watson looked settled on the left and played some good stuff along with mayenda on the left doing the same, was good to see alese and ballard back in and good to see connolys first goal. this 'sitting back' or lack of getting a foothold in the 2nd half of games is basically costing us...RLB seems reluctant to put subs on but (and this is my own opinion of course) we have a young team and they will have days when they are simply not up to a game, using riggy as the example here, and he was not alone, he looked well off the pace and hardly had a telling contribution, surely someone like adil would freshen the energy up, that said, i have always said an away point is always a good one. pretty sure we should have at least three back and available for tuesday, maybe four and that will change the dynamics a bit. ref watch, cant really remember getting too upset with him or the other officials, seemed to try and let it flow. my MotM is going to connoly, he has came into the side mainly when we are not trying to attack and has had to try and pick up on scraps but his first goal was very well taken and could easily have headed to row z or the corner flag.
