Yesterday's game

At the meet up in the Conningham Arms a lot of the talk was about what changes Harry may make and what formation Sunderland would play. I think it's fair to say that we all got it wrong. I was fully expecting Sunderland to line up with 5 in midfield and Fletcher to be up front on his own. That is why I was a little alarmed when I discovered that we were playing 4-4-2. I feared we would be outnumbered in the middle. As it turned out, both teams lined up with 4-4-2. Rangers had Green in goal, a back four of Bosingwa, Samba, Hill and Fabio. On the right of midfield was Townsend, Park and Mbia were centre midfield with Hoilett on the left. Zamora and Remy were up front.
As the game got going it was clear that it was going to be quite an old fashioned type game, with both teams playing 2 up front and a lot of space available in the middle of the park and out wide. After Fletcher won a few early headers, usually up against Fabio, Rangers began to get on top, with Townsend and in particular Hoilett, getting in some good attacking runs. Hoilett went very close early on with a shot that went just wide of the far post. He was giving Gardener a torrid time at right back.
Then, completely against the run of play Sunderland went ahead. A Rangers free kick was cleared and they broke with pace. Sessegnon turned Park and Hoilett inside out before crossing to the far post. With Samba and Hill still trying to get back, Bosingwa had moved across into the middle and Johnson was in acres of space. He hit a low. hard cross and Fletcher was there to poke the ball home from close range. Rangers were outnumbered and caught on the break.
To their credit, Rangers never let their heads drop and with Zamora making himself available for the ball to be played in they again got on top. On 30 mins they were level. The impressive Townsend cut in from the right and hit an optimistic shot that rebounded off O'Shea and into the clever run of Remy. The French striker finished with cool assuredness, making it look far easier than it was as he placed the ball across Mignolet and into the far corner. Game on. For the remainder of the half, Rangers continued to play well, with Mbia playing his best game so far for the hoops and at last passing the ball with accuracy as well as getting in countless challenges. Park also was playing well, getting through a lot of work and also linking the play up well. With Bosingwa playing his best game also, Rangers were looking good as the half time whistle brought an end to proceedings.
The 2nd half began with Rangers a little slow out of the blocks and Sunderland looking a little better. Then on 55 mins, O'Neil made a change, taking off the ineffective Graham and putting Rose on. Rose went to left back and Colback moved into midfield. Now they were lined up as most of us had expected them to start the game and Sunderland took control of the game for a good 10 mins as Rangers were outnumbered in the midfield. Fortunately Townsend was going to change all that. He first of all worked back and won the ball from Rose before driving forward and hitting a shot that was blocked. This had the effect of lifting the ever-anxious crowd as well as his team mates. Then, from a free kick the ball fell to Townsend 25 yards from goal. The Spurs loanee chested the ball down, let it bounce up and then unleashed a swerving, dipping volley that left the keeper groping thin air. Cue massive celebrations among the home fans, who were excellent throughout.
Harry then made some changes, with Mackie replacing the chronically unfit Zamora (although to be fair, he was playing with an injection and showed the kind of commitment that we've been crying out for all season). SWP replaced the fading Hoilett and Jenas went on for Remy, as Harry tried to shore things up. Sunderland really didn't threaten much and then, following excellent work from SWP, a corner was cleared out to Jenas on the edge of the box, who hammered home a volley. Game over and cue mass celebrations and relief.
In conclussion, Harry picked a very attacking team, which was virtually 4-2-4 at times. This meant that Park and Mbia had to be on their game and they were. Bosingwa had an excellent game at right back, while the other three at the back were very solid. Harry says it will be like this from now on.....do or die. It will be interesting to see the line up against Villa.
Player ratings and marks:
Green - 7 - Virtually nothing to do and could do nothing about the goal.
Bosingwa - 8 - Superb display. Quick and assured on the ball. Got forward well and kept Johnson pretty quiet.
Samba - 7 - Very solid.
Hill - 7 - Same as Samba.
Fabio - 6 - Defended well and tried to get forward as often as he could. A little shaky at times.
Townsend - 9 - Superb attacking display, topped off with a spectacular goal, just as Sunderland were in control.
Mbia - 8 - His best game. Passing was good and worked so hard.
Park - 7 - Not his best position in the middle, but worked for 90 mins and his passing in the first half linked play well. Passing was a bit off in the 2nd half, but that was also down to O'neil's tactical switch which left us outnumbered in the middle.
Hoilett - 8 - Superb in the first half and unlucky not to score. Faded a little in the 2nd.
Zamora - 7 - Very brave to play through his injuries and showed well at times to hold the ball up.
Remy - 8 - Always looks a threat and scored...again!
Subs:
SWP - 7 - Made a good impact.
Mackie - 7 - Ran and ran and ran when he came on. Nearly scored too.
Jenas - 7 - Added a touch of calmness and scored a cracker.

Thoughts?

 

Thanks for the report Col.

Excellent as usual.

Enjoyed the read.

 

Very good and faultless report as always Col.
Pretty much as i saw it

 

Great report Col, nice to see we were watching the same game! I suppose the only thing i might disagree a little on would be Fabio's performance, as i thought he looked very assured and solid. Admittedly i didn't watch him closely for the whole game, so could be wrong there!

 

That's fair enough mate. TBH I nearly gave him a 7 too. I just thought I remembered him being a little shaky once or twice. He probably deserved a 7 upon reflection.

 

Good stuff col. Sat down to watch the match yesterday in bad form as I had wanted to travel for that match. My doom and gloom was soon lifted as we started brightly and with intent. We attacked with purpose, actually committing numbers to attack. We had genuine width on the wings and got in behind their full backs several times. I feared the worst when we conceded but in fairness to the lads they never let it affect them. It's been a long time since we had so much possession and territory and TBH Sunderland actually created very very little. Think that Samba and Hill really compliment each other and provided they both stay fit we can rotate Onouha, Fabio, Traite and Bosingwa around them. Hoillet impressed me and we need to keep him and Townsend fit over the next few weeks.
I suppose with Adel not playing it forces others to get off their arses and be creative. I've seen a lot of rubbish written on here about Adel in recent weeks. Some people have short memories. I think we will need his skills in coming weeks against better teams. Next week is obviously important and another win would be great, but a draw would not be the end of the world.

 

Been out of the game meself for the last week - and the adrenalin and euphoria expended during and after being glued to the stream yesterday, has left me almost as wrecked as I was in the first few days. Voice gone totally after all the screaming! THREE goals, what else could I do?!! (Apologies for not responding to the Conningham PM.)

Anyway, nothing like a Col match report to convince me it really happened - and wasn't just bug-generated delirium! Nice one mate.

On the back of a performance like that, we could argue all day about individual player ratings. For the record my MotM was the Bosswinger but that's another story... However, for the first time since we rejoined the prem, it's the TEAM rating that really deserves our attention. Sure we've worked as a unit at times over the past couple of seasons but that's been more defensively focused - parking the bus exercises an' all that.

This time it was very different. Coming off the back of a fortuitous win at St. Mary's last week, we finally looked and felt the part with a commanding performance from beginning to end. Doesn't mean we dominated throughout of course, Sunderland may be out of form but they have some massive players and a quality manager, but we maintained belief in ourselves and kept our discipline. Two of the things we've lacked for so long was there for us at long last: quick simple pass and move AND getting numbers into the opponents' box - and as as a result, A RESULT!

And the thing is, 'Arry's now set the standard for the rest of the season: if you're looking for a chance to kit up on a match day, that's the way you have to play. If you can't give us that, forget it and risk being forgotten too.

As it happens, I reckon most of the squad will be be up for it 'cos they've now had a chance to see what the returns are. Plenty of strength in depth from what I can see from here on in. As long as we keep the belief and discipline, won't be long before it won't matter much who gets picked, the goals and points will keep coming.

Not saying we'll survive though. Massive ask. Whilst most pundits rate our players and manager, the time it's taken sorting ourselves out is akin to a 20 point handicap. How many prem teams could expect to avoid the drop on that kind of deficit? Very few imho.

 

Nice post Brix. Don't worry about the PM. I've been pretty busy of late too and in fact, this report was a little rushed because I was pushed for time.

 

Great report as usual, thanks Col.

I voted Bosingwa as MOTM although agree it was a close call with Townsend. To be honest, I'd have no issue with either getting the nod. Once again, the other guy that I'd give a mention to is Clint Hill. I think he's playing the best football of his career at the moment and we've become so accustomed to the standards he's set himself that his performances are almost going unnoticed now as far as picking up MOTM awards. I thought he was superb again yesterday and seems to have really worked on his general stamina and fitnessed, epitomised by his being almost first to congratulate Townsend for his goal despite not being up there when the goal was scored. We're lucky to have this guy - he really cares.

Special mentions go to Samba (getting fitter and better by the game), Mbia (becoming more influential as long as he can stay on the field!), Hoilett (now showing us the player we thought we'd bought), Zamora (worked like a dog yesterday), SWP (great contribution in his late cameo) and Green (nothing to do apart from pick the ball out of the net in the first-half).

I would have loved for Mackie to have got that goal at the death, as this would've lifted the Hoops off the bottom on goal difference, but it wasn't to be.

 

Do we think we will see Taarabt back, cant see it myself, for the first time this season our midfield was fluid, pacey and exciting.

 

I think (as someone else quoted on the Tarbs thread) that we will see him in some of the '**** or bust' games we are expected to lose. More likely as an inspired sub looking to do something special to change the game. we are so much more of a team at the moment, I can't see him getting a start.

 

My Better half, Birthday this weekend (well last actually but we weren't missing that game), so thanks for the right Col the highlights I've seen so far weren't great to judge the whole game on.

 

You're right. Hill probably warranted an 8 tbh. He was immense yesterday. Sod it....maybe they all should be an 8 with Townsend a 9.

 

Eights all round has my vote.

I enjoyed Hill's hard but fair tackle on the Sunderland player right in front of the technical area that incensed O'Neill so.

(I've also invented a new word, I see: fitnessed... presumably fitness that has been finessed)

I have to say that I remain concerned about the team's ability to retain possession, though. There were many occasions yesterday when the ball cannoned off players rather than have them bring it to close quarters. There is still something lacking there which will continue to heap unnecessary pressure on the team and account for goals against. Perhaps it'll improve with team confidence, I don't know.

 

Thanks for the great write up Col, it was a good team performance that keeps us still in with a small chance of survival. There were excellent performances from Bosingwa, Samba and Hill at the back, and in midfield M'bia, Hoillet, Townsend and Jenas when he came on and scored the goal of the match for me. All of them could be MOM. Only performance I don't agree with you on was Park's who contributed way too little for someone playing in the CM engine room, he was almost invisible during a long central part of the game, Sunderland players were skipping past him like he wasn't there, and he seemed well off the pace as usual. In light of his negligible contribution, the performances of Hoillet, Townsend and especially M'bia were especially strong in covering up for being virtually half a man short in central midfield.

 

He hasn't been lactating, has he?

 

good report col, what ever harry said to boswinga its certainly worked & he's playing very well at present, i thought like you sunderland would line with five across middle so was i bit worried at first but it worked out well in the end, now we've got to keep momentum going & play attacking football because that probably the best theyve this season certaintly under harry.

 

The master of understatement!

"At the meet up in the Conningham Arms a lot of the talk was about what changes Harry may make and what formation Sunderland would play. I think it's fair to say that we all got it wrong."


Our faces when Staines read out our team must have been a picture. I guess we've all forgotten what it is like to have an attacking team.

In addition to everything that has already been said, I'd like to add that Bosingwa's control when intercepting Sunderland's cross field pass, leading to our equaliser, was superb. He made himself slightly harder to hate.

I commented to Stan at one point that Mbai had clearly got himself confused with Terry Venables. His first time raking cross field passes at times were brilliant and I loved the way he let the ball run passed his body before playing it continually leaving his marker for dead. He rose magnificently to his role in a midfield four.

Stan's pertinent comment during the match about how Hoilett and Townsend's attacking intent prevented the Sunderland fullbacks from seriously joining in on their occasional attacks seems even more valid now.

As much as I enjoyed Hill's tackle as described by Uber, I have to say that initially he seemed to be a little at sea. He drifted out of position and was completely by-passed on a couple of occasions, as well as mis-positioning himself several times in the first half making it impossible for him to win headers. I love Hill and his determined attitude, but I didn't see this as one of his finest games.