First posting for a long while from me although I have been keeping my eye on the ebb and flow of the close season debate. I determined to keep my assessment of our ins and outs to myself until at least the start of the new season, and I actually think we will still do a little bit more business yet before the end of te window - both in and out of the club.
Very early days of course, but I was very pleased with the result yesterday albeit slightly surprised by the lack of new blood actuallly in the starting 11 - but those that were made a telling difference.
To be completely honest on another day Liverpool might have been out of sight by 30 minutes but we rode our luck a little and then came into the game and ultimately fully deserved the draw.
Brown's comments about the half time chat for me were very revealing, and suggest that players with that elusive 'winning (or rather not loosing) mentality' have indeed been added to our squad and that provided the platform yesterday to get something from a game that we would typically have let get away from us in the past.
Brown appeared to be immense in the middle of the defence and clearly has a quiet but clear influence on those around him as the game unfolded and I'm sure in the sanctuary of the half time dressing room.
Seb then had the coolness and ability to convert his chance with clinical precision when it came around, and these factors are effectively what separates those who win things in sport from the also rans.
Next week the cauldron of the Wear-Tyne Derby will provide another early test of our metal and I expect our new squad to be better able to deal with the occasion than was the case last season when many froze.
So early days but encouraging signs, Richardson for me however is no left back and yesterday highlighted why. He desrves to be in the squad I think for the flexibility he can bring but not in the starting 11. So I hope we fix that area of the team sooner rather than later (O'shea at right back - Bardo back to the left handside? if no further signings are made).
Anyway looking forward to the new campaign, and I extend my best wishes to fellow Sunderland fans for the new season.
Ha'way the lads!
Very early days of course, but I was very pleased with the result yesterday albeit slightly surprised by the lack of new blood actuallly in the starting 11 - but those that were made a telling difference.
To be completely honest on another day Liverpool might have been out of sight by 30 minutes but we rode our luck a little and then came into the game and ultimately fully deserved the draw.
Brown's comments about the half time chat for me were very revealing, and suggest that players with that elusive 'winning (or rather not loosing) mentality' have indeed been added to our squad and that provided the platform yesterday to get something from a game that we would typically have let get away from us in the past.
Brown appeared to be immense in the middle of the defence and clearly has a quiet but clear influence on those around him as the game unfolded and I'm sure in the sanctuary of the half time dressing room.
Seb then had the coolness and ability to convert his chance with clinical precision when it came around, and these factors are effectively what separates those who win things in sport from the also rans.
Next week the cauldron of the Wear-Tyne Derby will provide another early test of our metal and I expect our new squad to be better able to deal with the occasion than was the case last season when many froze.
So early days but encouraging signs, Richardson for me however is no left back and yesterday highlighted why. He desrves to be in the squad I think for the flexibility he can bring but not in the starting 11. So I hope we fix that area of the team sooner rather than later (O'shea at right back - Bardo back to the left handside? if no further signings are made).
Anyway looking forward to the new campaign, and I extend my best wishes to fellow Sunderland fans for the new season.
Ha'way the lads!
-as for me the whole of the left hand side is a worry.