When we spend over 80% of the game being battered by sides such as Everton and Spurs it's a bit of a wonder that we don't concede seven or eight each game. Spurs had about 30 shots yesterday. In a normal, more evenly balanced game, you would expect 10-15 shots. Our defence is working overtime and I think they are actually doing quite a good job. It's easy to criticise Djellybaby for not clearing yesterday for their goal but all defenders, as well as everyone else, make the odd mistake. You could say that his mistake would have happened over the course of three games if he only had a 'normal' amount of defensive work to do. Like young Pickford. One mistake against Southampton but otherwise he's been great. The amount of saves he has pulled off in each game would usually be what a mid to top team goalie makes over three or four games. I suppose the very heavy workload our defenders have will give them much more experience and make them better players eventually (like Rose and Alonso) As I mentioned on another thread, I'm sick of the same thing each game, being constantly under pressure from the other teams and only getting the odd lucky long ball out which reaches Defoe but I think with all the practice they are getting, our defence is doing remarkably well. If Moyes gets the January window transfers right, we could have a reasonable squad. Two strikers, two attacking midfielders and a defender, all quality straight into the first team signings, will see us safe and give us a good platform for next season (provided we stay up of course)
Can hardly argue with a single word (although I still think Djilibodji was more unlucky with the bounce rather than anything but I appear to be in a minority!)
[QUOTE="Charley Farley, post: the game being battered by sides such as Everton and Spurs it's a bit of a wonder that we don't concede seven or eight each game. Spurs had about 30 shots yesterday. In a normal, more evenly balanced game, you would expect 10-15 shots. Our defence is working overtime and I think they are actually doing quite a good job. It's easy to criticise Djellybaby for not clearing yesterday for their goal but all defenders, as well as everyone else, make the odd mistake. You could say that his mistake would have happened over the course of three games if he only had a 'normal' amount of defensive work to do. Like young Pickford. One mistake against Southampton but otherwise he's been great. The amount of saves he has pulled off in each game would usually be what a mid to top team goalie makes over three or four games. I suppose the very heavy workload our defenders have will give them much more experience and make them better players eventually (like Rose and Alonso) As I mentioned on another thread, I'm sick of the same thing each game, being constantly under pressure from the other teams and only getting the odd lucky long ball out which reaches Defoe but I think with all the practice they are getting, our defence is doing remarkably well. If Moyes gets the January window transfers right, we could have a reasonable squad. Two strikers, two attacking midfielders and a defender, all quality straight into the first team signings, will see us safe and give us a good platform for next season (provided we stay up of course)[/QUOTE] I'm totally in agreement and have posted that I'll judge Moyes after Jan window. I've many doubts but that's all they are - d o u b t s. I don't abuse Sunderland players & mgmt without due cause and certainly not straight away. Expressing doubts on a football forum is not abuse imo there , )9
I said on the matchday thread that Moyes has to come up with a system where we keep the ball more and give the defence a rest, when our midfield are properly up too speed that will undoubtedly help, however Defoe needs help now, we can't wait till January and risk being cut adrift by then. If we get cut adrift then this might just be the season we dont get over the line with a game to spare.
