Disappointing game this is turning out to be, we have been second to the ball all second half, I don't see us getting the equaliser....
This game sums up perfectly where we are IMO. First half, playing well, deserved 2 - 1 lead. Second half. they blew us away through a combination of our poor ball retention, poor passing, defensive faffing and their far superior press. They went 3 - 2 up and I don't remember them trying to pass it back to their keeper. They kept attacking with intent.
We should never have lost this game, we failed to deal with Sunderlands high pressing, and as usual our sloppy defending strikes again, another game thrown away for me.....
The better team won this afternoon. We played well for the first 25 minutes or so, then Sunderland took control and were completely dominant in the second half. They were the best side I’ve seen down here this season. I lost count of the number of times our full backs were missing in action defensively … whilst Darling thought he was Beckenbauer …. except that he’s not good enough to lace Der Kaiser’s boots. Whilst Cabango looked nervy whenever he was pressed. I would give their Manager 10/10 for the way they played in the second half - kept his wingers tight to the touchline and Tymon (in particular) and Key gave them far too much space: if we can see it, where are Luke and his staff? Our mistakes as usual proved costly - Grimes was at fault for their second. Yet again, the opposition score almost immediately we make substitutions….. Another season in the Championship beckons for 25/26
There was a nice tribute to Vic Gomersall before the match. As it finished my mind wandered back to the late 1960s and Vic in his prime and then that chant / song came to my mind: Bless them all, Bless them all The long and the short and the tall, Bless Tony Millington and Vic Gomersall Bless Barrie Hole when he scores us a goal And we’re singing a song for them all The long and the short and the tall We’ll never be mastered by no Cardiff bastard…..
We have lost all seven games against the sides currently occupying the top seven places in the Championship this season
Having slept on it, the most disturbing aspect from yesterday wasn’t the defeat, wasn’t the performance and wasn’t poor play of some of the team, but was the fact that Luke and his staff failed to react in the second half to the changed approach implemented by Sunderland’s Manager which resulted in their wingers having so much space and freedom, Once it had happened twice, they should have instructed both full backs to mark their men and not wander aimlessly (at times) up their wing (Tymon) or keep dribbling in field trying to beat every man (Key). 55 has been saying for a while that Williams isn’t up to it, perhaps yesterday was the most tangible evidence of that claim @55282
We couldn't cope with their press and it glaringly highlighted our inability to play under pressure. Possession stats may "appear" good but they're ultimately meaningless. Compare that to Sunderland, in the second half, who could pass neatly and quickly under pressure. They had no intention of trying to keep the ball to hang on to their lead (like we usually do) and kept playing forward. Unfortunately this is where we are, a mid table side. Now whether Luke is up to the job, I'm still not sure. We have seen slight progression and we'll certainly know by the end of the season. Saying that, do any of you think another manager could get more from the players we have? And the massive problem even then is getting someone good enough to come here.
I know what you mean about their press and the attendant pressure, but the space given to their wingers was shocking
LW and his staff have no idea how to change the game. Winning,drawing or losing. If they did,I may have a different opinion of them.As manager LW calls the shots,they are his staff. As it stands he and them,in my opinion are lower League 1, League 2 management.
You know what, I'd love to see it but you won't. Having as much money as you can possible spend on players is a lot easier a job than proving you can do the best with relatively nothing. Totally off topic but .... I'd love to see these "top" chefs make meals with no mountains of butter, olive oil and cream! Sort of relevant When ever we've had a half decent manager, he's f'd off to a "bigger" team before you could blink "SOS". When will we get a manager that stays for the long haul and really proves them selves a big name? Maybe the new owners will be a better motivation in the future... everything crossed.
