The weekend has come and gone and I think that we are all starting our week with various emotions. Some of us are happy with the team performance, some of us not but it seems we all sit in one boat in terms of the team selection. Last time I wrote about Sunderland fans getting behind the team and quit moaning. To simply put it I got murdered for it which is fair enough because it's just a matter of opinion. Some of you may remember me writing about how my brother is a Newcastle supporter and yesterday was a perfect opportunity for me to watch both Sunderland and Newcastle as they were both on the telly back to back which happens once a season, if that. I watched both games, and thought I would write about the two and where we separately stand as of now. So please don't read this if you can't handle a rational analysis of Newcastle (may include complements.) Newcastle- I have to say I was extremely impressed. They had hunger and desire all around, especially to push forward but were also compact in the defense. They had impact substitutes and most importantly looked like they were enjoying their football. They looked a tough team to beat, and I think teams will start to fear going to Newcastle just like the Britannia. That being said, they are by no means unbeatable, looked suspicious defending set pieces and I though key players went astray at times. Sunderland- Lets start with the negative as I would rather finish on a high note. Lack of composure, options and just overall looked worried on the ball. All of this stems from confidence and you can understand why that's lacking right now. I am one of those who stand by our manager, but even I was disappointed at the lack of a target man. I think it's fair to say that everyone knows Sess is best when playing off of players and even though Bendtner was a huge miss, Wickham was an obvious replacement for me. I have been a bit disappointed with John Oshea this season, yes he's reliable and calm on the ball but sometimes he just doesn't look up for it. Perhaps there is a touch of 'I'm too good to be here' kicking in. The positive. I was extremely happy with Lee Cattermole, hassling and just a busy body as usual but no yellow card. He got forward as well and people may criticize him for not finish the header, however him being there (a strikers position) in the first position really impressed me. He switched play a couple of times very nicely and looked like one of the only players that really believed we could take something from the game. I also thought that our players looked like they work for each other and the manager and for me it's only a matter of time that we are back to winning ways. For me the best performance in a while because we kept our shape for most of the game. Now to put the two together, I have to say that Newcastle right now are the better side. As much as it pains me to say that, from a pure footballing sense I think you have to. They look dangerous. But at the same time I don't think that this means that Sunderland can't be better this season. I think we have all (or most) the right ingredients and it really is a matter of putting it all together. Seems that both teams have a fairly steady front office, and it's just at the time being things are better for the skunks on the pitch. My hopes are that the two young strikers (and even the likes of Laing) start getting more time and that we start enjoying our football rather than worry about it. Gamedays should be a joy both fans and players and at the moment it's not for neither. That being said I look forward to gamedays more than anything in the world, it's just sometimes I feel like I'm not going to get out of it alive. I'm sorry about complimenting our rivals so much, and if you can't handle it don't comment. I just want to talk rationally about football, nothing more.
Newcastle on yesterdya showing are a million miles ahead of us. Better midfield, defence and attack, guess that makes them a far better team.
I can't work out why you are struggling. You have a decent squad (certainly better than Wigan, Blackburn, Bolton, Wolves and the promoted clubs), so the only reason I can think of is the manager. Carry on, Agent Bruce... And thanks Syd
Well you have to give Newcastle a few compliments whilst you can because there hasn't been much to shout about over the last 5 years, has there? I'm not so sure the positivity will last when the likes of Tiote disapeer come transfer time. You have to enjoy it whilst it lasts, as brief as it maybe. At the moment Newcastle look like a better team and I suspect the only factor that will maintain the current situation is Sunderlands lack of progress as opposed to Newcastles consolidation.
Sad thing is that you're right - yet before the season started, I wouldn't swap their best 11 for our best 11 (both on top form and confident) - and for that I blame the manager. Yeah I'd take Tiote from them and probably swap mignolet for Krul on current form but other than that I can't see a player I'd like bruce our manager to sign (HBA maybe but he isn't up to fitness yet so I reserve judgement) They play like a team and we don't - they have a bit of luck on their side but that comes when things are going right (compare their first goal with Cattermole's header - Cattermoled header bounced off the keeper and came ount, Ba's goal hit the keeper and stuck between his legs so it went in) - but you make your luck a lot fo the time. Cattermole, I thought, was a massive plus for us yesterday - had a hinger and desire that has been missing from a lot of the players - Colback did OK as well. FFS Bruce play 2 up front next weekend - you have to see that this system is not working - play sessegnon in the midfield (on the left) and Larsson on the right - Elmo was useless yesterday. Bendtner and either Ji or Wickham up front - PLEASE!! Just see what might happen you useless stubborn git!
I think its fair to say that even Newcastle fans didn't expect this. I expected at least 3 defeats by now, certainly not 4 wins and 4 draws, and to be sitting 4th. I think I will reserve my judgement until Christmas, after then I expect us to have been beaten a few times, and it will be interesting to see how we react. I saw moments from you yesterday that suggests had you been playing a weaker team, you would have walked it. Lets just hope for your sake that you didn't just raise your game because it was Arsenal.
This It is still very early in the season and we will, no doubt, suffer a few setbacks (Man City, Man Utd and then Chelsea will be a tough test), however, the team is still gelling and the players are still learning what Pardew expects from them, so the signs are very positive. As for Sunderland, the only real problem they have is Steve Bruce. Give that squad to someone like Mark Hughes and you will be back in the top half of the table.
Team is the word and one moment from Newcastles game summed it up for me. Simpson made a cock up, right in front of Pardew, Bruce would have shaken his head but what did Pardew do, he looked at Simpson, smiled at him and applauded him for trying. That to me is a manager who understands his players, a manager saying to a player its OK to cock up, at least you tried.
Thats the big difference they play as a team in more or less their preferred positions. We play as a group of blokes who have just met and play anywhere but our best positions. The one plus point from this is that is exactly the way we started the last two seasons, so all the crap we are having now they have to come, straws and grasping I know but you've got to have hope.
From the original post: "I think we have all (or most) the right ingredients and it really is a matter of putting it all together." Maybe, apart from no left side and missing at least 2 quality, proven strikers.
When I looked at the length of this post I was looking forward to a good neutral analysis of our team, until I realised it was 4 lines . Oh well. Good point all the same, so cheers. I have to be honest. I can't see where the quality is in Sunderland for them to push up where many of them expect. Look at us, for example, with Tiote and Cabaye. I think if Tiote got his discipline under control, he could be a £20million+ player. Cabaye could also end up being a £15million+ player. Now when you compare that to the likes of Cattermole, Vaughan, Gardner and so on, there's a definite gulf imo. It's all about the partnerships too. Tiote and Cabaye compliment each other brilliantly, whereas Bruce STILL seems to be trying to figure out which partnership is the best one. He's still cycling through different CMs even now. Then there's Krul, who just gets better and better each time I see him, and he's still very young. Then you have the CB's. Coloccini and Saylor yet again form a rock solid on-form partnership and compliment each other brilliantly. The best defence in the league so far (if we still have it, not sure now) is down to them two and Krul. With the wingers, imo Larsson offers as much as Jonas does, just in different ways. Elmohamady is perhaps on par with Obertan. As for the strikers, we have an on-form Best and Ba, with HBA vying for a 'behind the hole' position as well. You guys essentially have Bendtner, Sessegnon (WHO ISN'T EVEN A STRIKER) and Ji-Dong and Wickham, who are two decent players but still quite young. Dong looks good mind. I think he'll bag a few. So when you look at it, is it really so hard to believe that there's a difference? The CB partnership is the engine of the team, and the CB partnership is the rock of the defence, and arguably our four best players are in those four positions. Whilst I don't think we're a top 4 side by any stretch of the imagination, we have a starting 11 with more quality than most people realise, and it's just reflected in the good results so far. Yes it's 'team spirit' and yes it's 'confidence' but it's also the fact that we just have a very good side. If it takes more time for some people to realise that, then so be it.
Have to agree with Syd on this one. Also Newcastle play with more team spirit and Pardew seems to have the knack of instilling team spirit, and therefore giving them a twelve man. For us Bruce, on playing players out of position is effectively saying I am the boss and will therefore put each one of you where I decide - therefore putting the backs up of players he is not using.
Does anyone actually read chappies posts these days? If you do what did he say, cant be bothered myself.
Syd he complained that the piece was biased as it consisted of only 4 lines for Newcastle, given the length of the post. He then proceeded to make a lengthy post comparing the two teams, but only summarises about Newcastle. I can only assume he failed to read the final three paragraphs of the original post, as this compared the two and concluded very well. He dismissed structure for an ad hoc response and criticised for bias which was completely unfounded.
We have been pleasantly surprising. But tougher times lay ahead and we'll see. I'd be disappointed if we didn't capitalise on our start to finish top half. That's great progress for a team in only its 2nd season after promotion. We look to have some real gems too. I think the main thing we're all pleased about is the youth players. We have to have one of the best collections of young talent in the league outside the big guns. Sunderland are handicapped by the manager. You did ok yesterday after an early battering. But did I really believe you'd get something? No not really. Starting Sessegnon on his own up front was just incredible. Coming away with a creditable defeat does not mask this. Its insanity. Not only that, but Wickham and Dong look lively and should just be started (at least one of them). I really like the Korean kid. Again Richardson showed why he should not play left back. For the first goal he wasn't far enough over with his centre back, and thus his late saving tackle attempt was too little too late. That's not down to him though, its Bruce continually playing him there. Just pure stupidity. Sunderland for me do not have the quality we possess, but I do think they have more than enough to get further up the table, and have more strength in depth than us. This will show more when inuries come.
In a nutshell? Our team is better than yours, and that is why we're higher. You seemed to have said that already though so I guess we agree. Although now I've said it, it probably means that it isn't true anymore. I didn't complain. I just found it funny, because when I glanced over the length of the post I was expecting a long read, but it ended more abruptly than I expected. I was just joking, but I appreciate the kind words. I just wanted to go a little more indepth as to why I think we're doing better, and why I think Sunderland aren't doing as well as many had hoped, i.e. not a good enough CB partnership (in fact, no partnership full stop it seems) and not a good enough CB partnership. Feel free to disagree if you like.
chappaz- i did enjoy your comment and I think your point is valid. formidable partnerships are the cornerstone to any consistent side and it seems you guys have found a few. the only problem is when injures occur, i think that is when you see the making of a truly quality sides. that is also where i fear for newcastle. midtable sides such as yourselves and us (don't be offended but basing on last year) rely on partnerships and a few certain players too much. truly great players can ADAPT and play in any side and in any shape and that's what i think we both don't have. i bet if real madrid played a 4-6-0 (no out and out strikers) or players that don't usually play together in their squad, they can still make it work. that ofcourse is the glaring truth that sides such as ourselves need that bit of luck when it comes to injuries, something that was completely non-existent for us last year.
Perhaps complain was too strong a word. It just came across, to me at least, that the article was very fair to all parties. And perhaps this is a case of where less is more. You just seemed to dismiss the comparisons towards the end and focused on the individual analysis only.
Once we are near christmas we can take real stock of how each team is doing. Newcastle have both Manchester teams then Chelski end of Nov early Dec. 3 defeats on the trot isnt easy to swallow, that said, any points are a bonus and a real lift against these teams so it could be an important part of our season. If we do lose how quick will we bounce back, Norwich, Swansea etc come up after those 3 so we need to be back up for those games and not let our heads drop. Get through those games and come christmas, if we are still top ten and have a decent points total i will be very happy. The January window will be a crucial one for us, firstly i hope Ashley doesnt sell anyone but if someone comes in with £20m+ offers for likes of Tiote etc it could disrupt things. With him and Ba going to the African cup we definately need a few quality signings in, even if thats just a few 3 month loans, the squad isnt as in depth as it needs to be so injuries, and the african cup could cause us problems. I think Sunlun will probably be stuck with Brucey until the christmas, that said he might be pumped early December to enable a new manager to get a few changes in the January window. Or he might turn things round and be okay.... i hope not. Traditionally the teams around the bottom 6 stay there or thereabouts by the finish so it will indicate if the mackems will be in a dogfight or if they have (and probably should) have picked things up and start climbing up the table, not too hight though eh? ;-)
