Well that was ****ing dull, wasn't it? Can't really blame Sunderland for using those tactics, but it doesn't lead to much of a spectacle.
Not many attempts on target from either side - but 0-0 is OK at Sunderland. Lennon and Defoe can have an impact on this match I think.
I thought Sunderland were going to make a go of it today, might aswell go 442, they seem to be catching us on the counter anyway.
Afternoon lads nobody is speaking on our board and i saw you had a match thread... its been a slightly boring game IMO and you had the first half of the half and were were better in the second half.... We dont normally play like this but it seems like most of our players have given up for the season
Afternoon, CW. I think O'Neill's just picked a team and tactics to try and shut us out and hit us with a break or a set-piece. Your players are doing exactly what he wants them to do.
how are you going to counter this then??? bring on lennon and attack us down the wing??? tbh i cant think of a player we have on the bench which can change the game for us....maybe david vaughn
Might put on Lennon for Sandro, push van der Vaart up nearer to Adebayor and get the ball out wide early from Modric.
Sunderland have a game plan and it's working for then so far. Sessegnon looks dangerous every time he gets on the ball (as expected) and Maclean is causing Walker some concern, but other than that they are only causing us trouble at set pieces where their delivery is excellent. A draw would not be a bad result but we need the win, so the early introduction of Lennon and Defoe would be welcome.
A little stat for you; Modric made 39 passes in the first half making him joint 3rd behind Parker and VDV who are both in the 60s. Need Luka to get more of the ball.
We need width. They are clogging up midfield, but we are playing narrow which is just what they want. Take a player out of the middle and all we are doing is giving them one less to kick.
