What do you reckon? Played canny against Everton, potential? VALENTIN ROBERGE believes he is now better prepared to succeed in the Premier League after a bedding-in period at the Stadium of Light. Summer signing Roberge made his first start since October in Boxing Dayâs victory at Everton after Wes Brownâs suspension and John OâSheaâs shoulder injury forced Gus Poyet to change his central defensive partnership. The 27-year-old and fellow Bosman arrival Modibo Diakite have played second fiddle to the former Manchester United pair under Poyet after both featured prominently under ex-head coach Paolo Di Canio. But that time out of the side has given Roberge and Diakite the chance to settle on Wearside, with the duo both looking far more assured than earlier in the season, after helping Sunderland record a third successive Premier League clean sheet. Roberge told the Echo: âItâs difficult to adapt to English football. âThe Premier League is different, but at the same time I really enjoy it here. I wanted to play in a new country. âIt was hard at first because the football is a lot faster and you need to concentrate more. âIn the first few months, there was a lot of information and I had to apply myself. âIâve found it hard to get chances because the defence has been performing well. âBut I knew that there would be a game when I was needed to help the team. http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...r-prepared-to-succeed-at-sunderland-1-6340376
What's not to like Comm, good age, ball playing centre half, confident, good in the air and solid in the tackle. He should be first choice alongside Wes. He's got all the attributes to play the way Poyet wants us to play.
Maybe, he did well the other day, but so did Diakité, maybe that new pairing is the way forward, but Browns been canny, **** it, i've nee idea.
PDC has come out and said something along the lines of the signings not being his. Also disagree about us having a strong squad.
And this is why we PAY to watch them and Gus is PAID!! Cos we're all great managers when things are going shire. But when we start playing well then get forced into changes, none of us have a clue what we'd do!! These lads did fantastic against, let's face it, a very good Everton side (who had not lost a single game at home in 2013). I've nee idea what to do. Both of these lads are younger than Brown and Oshea and have a few more years in them yet.
Got to keep Roberge & Diakite in for now anyway & if they prove themselves over the next couple of game then why change it?
i dont think the back 4 should be changed, if they're all fit they start for me dont change a winning team..
With Wes, JoS and Cuellar out we were effectively playing our 4th and 5th choice centre backs. Both looked magnificent and helped to keep a 3rd consecutive clean sheet. I do believe that we have a stronger squad than last season. It takes time for foreigners to bed in and learn the language, but we are starting to see results. We signed some decent youngsters for development. Some of these will be an asset in years to come. The forwards aren't firing at the moment, but I believe that they will. Compare the forwards available to Gus with those that PDC had to pick from when he arrived last season. In my opinion we definitely have a stronger squad than last season, and far stronger than the likes of Palace, Cardiff and West Ham. Keep the faith.
Or well done Di Fanti? People quick to criticise him. But Mannone, Diakite, Roberge, Cetluska, Ki and Borini all proving to be decent signings.
Just Cattermole we need shot of then Marcus ! Only joking,he's looking back to his best, lets hope all of em continue on this upward curve and drag us up the league
Rate him Com, have done since I first saw him play, shame folk don't have the patience for overseas signings as he'd been written off with the vast majority of our new signings in some quarters.
Exactly. I like what the lad is saying and it could be the start of a really solid relationship between the two. Don't change it, it ain't broken (yet).
Did you see that volley??? No joke, I was lazily half watching your game tonight on mute, turned it up for the last 15 as you were pressing and heard "Roberrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr", looked up and saw him hit a cracker after ghosting in at the back stick, and genuinely thought "When the f*** did Sunderland sign Laurent Robert?!". How many CBs do you know who can do that? It was such a sweet strike. His technical ability is unbelievable.
he set up Colback with a neat little flick for the winner too. ...... the entire team was gash for the first 70 mins....he had his dodgy moments.
Unfortunately his defensive ability is close to nil. Thought he was awful tonight. Didn't think Diakite was as bad as SNQ was making out. Roberge, Dossena and Altidore looked a long way short tonight.
