Disappointingg yes but good all the same, if Larsson had scored from thepenaltyy that never was and we had won 2-0 it would have been nice but it would not have fooled O'Neil. He got the chance to see the real Sunderland, the good, the bad and the ugly but at least we have enjoyed a few good days before reality bit. Anyone expecting to see free flowing winning football will need to support City or United, O'Neil is a realist and that'ss why he likes the Hesky type,someonee we could well see in January. He opts for the winning games and will set us up to do just that, Hesky is picked because he roughs up defenders, is a nuisance and makes chances for strikers. We saw some pretty stuff of Bendtner and Ji today, not a lot but a bit, did we see them worry the Wolves defence? I expect a similar line up next week with a few changes but not a lot, the big change will come in attitude and type of play. Some players, IMO, made a good case today, some did themselves no favours whatsoever and Catts being suspended could be bad news for him. Our problem, one we mere fans have known all season, is we don't have a striker and today, again, young Noble was given 4 minutes, I ask again, what's the point. Today was the end of the Bruce era and from tomorrow the O'Neil era starts, I don't expect miracles and its not going to be easy or pretty, if we win it will be worth it.
Did anyone notice Heskey's shot that went out for a throw-in, yesterday? Can't believe he's ever done that before.
Didn't have a bet today, which is unusual for me. I would have went for a draw before the kick off though. For me personally, and I think a few others may echo these thoughts. Our season starts Monday! Onwards and upwards, Haway the Lads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Syd, Bendtner was a disgrace today... A point away at Wolves would have been ok but that is another game chalked off the fixture list with nothing to show for it. We are in a full on relegation battle and I would hazard a guess that MON wishes the transfer window was open tommorow having seen that today. For me, 17th place will be a success story for this season.
Bendtner and Ji were both pish. Sess was not far behind them. Westwood was our best player - says a lot!!! Bart
Good post syd, Today marks the end of the disastrous Bruce reign. Summed up by poor decisions re players and poor substitutions coupled with an annoying habit of self destruction from our overpaid and under talented bunch of players Roll on next week
People keep mentioning Heskey, but what about Kenwyne Jones instead, seems to be frozen out at Stoke a bit, not seen much of them but Crouch seems to get a lot more game time, and MON might just be able to get the best out of him, more than 1 game in 6 anyway. Woudnt be surprised if Stoke still owe us some cash for him as well, so we may be able to get him on the cheap if we - money owed. I would much rather have Jones back than Heskey, even though I do think Heskey is good at linking up play, he just isnt a very good striker/goal scorer.
agree with MR, lets draw a line un the Bruce era, today was a typical Bruce performance - promised much but delivered nothing and the substitutions were tosh. Our season starts tomorrow.
With you on Jones over Heskey mate. He would have at least made an effort to get on the end of a couple of those crosses that Bendtner ignored.
There was a lot to be psoitive, admittedly in short bursts, but not for the first time the players showed that when we move the ball first time, we are a threat to anyone. Stamina work, for me, so we can play high tempo for 60-70minutes, could be the answer. We lack bottle. When Seb missed the penalty, the team deflated visibly. MON has a track record of motivating players and getting them performing with belief. If we can harness these 2 things, we will be alright, I was all for Hughes, but the more I think about it , the more MON seems the right fit. We need a ****ing spine, and I dare say he will ship out a few, but there was enough there, as there has been a few times this season, to show there IS promise in the existing squad. We will win next Saturday for sure, i´m never one for risking ridicule, but I say this now and will accept being quoted on it. WE ARE SUNDERLAND:
Catts being suspended is good news for us at the moment...he had a stinker today,along with a few others.Bendtner was a disgrace,Ji is not yet good enough yet,Elmo is poor and Brown is playing on past-reputation!!Thank the board for bringing in a quality manager who has enough time to right a few wrongs,and sign a couple of players in the window to keep us safe.One penalty miss has spoiled what could have been a good day,today.
Fitness levels are way down since Keano left, not for the first time this season did we run out of steam with 20 minutes still to play. Wasn't just Ji who looked visibly knackered, Larsson, Catts, Brown, they all looked paggered. I expect O'Neil will be working on that?
Totally mate. If the lads could play at full steam for longer periods, we genuinely are a decent side when we move the ball about, but when 7 of 11 are ****ed with half an hour left, it´s gonna happen. Bruce´s ignoance of his medical staff etc is well documented , so this will be one area were MON can instantly improve us, IMO.
