Sounds like positives to take and a lot to work on so just what you'd expect. Still need a load more players.
From HITC . . . . Sunderland fans reacted on Twitter to Alim Ozturk's performance last night. Sunderland were beaten in pre-season action by Darlington, and Alim Ozturk's performance, which was slated by Sunderland fans after making his first appearance for the club, caused great concern. Sunderland took on Darlington, and Ozturk, after being selected to start by Jack Ross, failed to impress. The central defender only played for 30 minutes, but his performance was worrying. He constantly gave away the ball, and picked up an injury as he seemed to struggle to adapt to his new team. Sunderland went on to lose the fixture, and Ozturk received a great deal of criticism on social media. To say that Ozturk had a difficult debut is an understatement. He looks miles off the pace, giving the ball away and conceding some silly FKs. — James Hunter (@JHunterChron) July 10th, 2018 Alim Ozturk off after half an hour. Couple of fouls, give the ball away for the goal. Had a volley cleared off the line and some meaty headers. A lively debut... — Phil Smith (@Phil__Smith) July 10th, 2018 Flanagan and Ozturk have been shocking. Both struggle when one on one with an attacker. Ozturk very very slow and gave needless fouls away. Defence playing very high and Darlo got in behind several times. Sunderland very poor in possession and haven’t created any 1/2 — PeteWhalen (@peterjames73) July 10th, 2018 Ozturk is a shambles as well. I'll stick that out there before the season starts. — Steven Lorraine (@steven_safc89) July 10th, 2018 Well we’ve established that Alim Ozturk is ****e. #SAFC — Stuart (@StuartProctor96) July 10th, 2018 Was it not Djilobodji in disguise? — Jack Waldron (@waldron1994) July 10th, 2018 Sunderland’s performance has done little to raise optimism ahead of the new campaign, but Ross still has plenty of time to work with, and add to, his squad before the season starts. Sunderland are expected to make a considerable number of additions before the competitive action begins, but Ozturk will need to improve if he is to force his way into Ross’s starting line-up. Blinkers
I'm not reading too much into 30 minutes of the first pre season friendly. Nothing like supporting your team......
It is disappointing that all the positive stuff over the last two months has been tarnished by a poor result. It does not mean nothing but neither is it a serious concern at this stage. Pre-season friendlies are important and momentum is needed before the season starts. Let’s hope for a win in the next game
A mate of mine went to the game and told me that Sunderland looked what they are, a league 1 team that has been thrown together at short notice. But he also said (and I agree) these games are nothing more than a fitness exercise, nothing should be read into the result. I have faith in Ross, not sure why to be honest, he just comes across as a guy I can trust, so lets see what he can do in his attempts to mould a bunch of strangers into a team capable of getting out of this league
I know it was only a friendly and it’s a cobbled together team, but how the hell can they not be up for it when 900 bloody fans are cheering them on. They are not much better than a bloody pub team for f uck s sake, and should have hammered them 6-0 at least. I pray that they do better next time for the sake of my sanity.
Not the start we had hoped for, but better to find out now and get it sorted, than be lulled into any sort of complacency, before the real battles commence.
Hartlepool v Sunderland KO 15:00 Sunderland will face a familiar pre-season foe on Saturday when Jack Ross’ side take on Hartlepool United at Victoria Park (KO 3pm). A pre-season staple, the Lads have faced Pools on five occasions in the last seven years, with the popular friendly fixture representing the perfect chance for local fans to catch a glimpse of their team ahead of the new campaign. Over 2,000 tickets have already been snapped up the red and white army, with cash turnstiles in operation for those turning up on the day. Ahead of kick-off, the clubs will come together to remember Neale Cooper who sadly passed away in May. The Mill House Stand will be renamed the Neale Cooper Stand, sponsored by East Durham College, and tributes will be read out ahead of a minute’s applause as flowers are laid out in front of the stand. Supporters attending the fixture are asked to take their places in the stadium ahead of the ceremony, which is expected to start at around 2.45pm. After focusing on fitness against Darlington, Ross is expecting to see more from his side in and out of possession, with the boss urging the Lads to show more quality and more energy. The Black Cats struck the woodwork on multiple occasions but couldn’t take chances last time out, as Jordan Nicholson’s early strike proved to be the winner at Blackwell Meadows. Pools, meanwhile, were held to a 1-1 draw with Billingham Town one week ago in their first pre-season outing. Matthew Bates’ side fell behind early in the second half, but they responded through trialist Harry Middleton. The Lads’ starting XI is expected to be made up of players who featured for 30 minutes at Blackwell Meadows, with the likes of George Honeyman, Dylan McGeough, Callum McManaman and Josh Maja probable starters. FOLLOW THE ACTION Cash turnstiles are in operation and further information is available by clicking here. BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes will be broadcasting live right here on safc.com from 2.30pm. As ever, there will be comprehensive coverage across our digital channels including safc.com’s matchday blog and live updates on Twitter via @SunderlandAFC. Jack Ross: “It will be very much a reverse from Tuesday in terms of personnel, the guys who only got 30 minutes tonight will get the best part of an hour, but I think we need to be better in several aspects.” “Our quality and our work out of possession [needs to improve], and these are things we only have a few days to prepare for. We’re trying to get a lot of information across to the players in a short period of time, but they know as well as I know that Tuesday was a long way off of where need to be at for the first league game." “Saturday offers us another opportunity to take small steps forward.” Ha'way the Lads
Also anybody with 30 points who isn't going to the Boro game I'd be interested in a couple of tickets when they go on sale if you could help me out.
