Early in the morning
Sunderland’s 12:30 kick-off times are becoming a nuisance, but give the players credit – they were right at it from the start in this one.
The Lads could have easily been two or three goals up in the first 30 minutes or so, and it wasn’t until the final stages of the first half that unforced errors began to pile up.
We came back on top in the second half, which is obviously the most important thing, but it is frustrating to lose so many traditional 15:00 fixtures because it not only has an impact on local businesses, etc., but the matches can often be a bit flat.
We always win by a score of 3-1.
Sunderland could have scored four or five goals, but the fact that it ended 3-1 tells us where they are as a team – the team is an absolute joy to watch going forward, but there are still a few issues in defence that need to be addressed.
Most of their problems were their own fault, and there was little desire to atone for any mistakes or pull each other out of the mud, but when you pick such a young side, these spells are bound to happen in games, and nobody should let their head drop.
The Lads are difficult to live with when they settle down and cut out the sloppiness, and that third goal in particular saw some real quality from those involved.
It’s entertaining to watch, and with room to grow, this is a good place to be.
Dan Neil and Captain
Most people expected Dan Neil to be given the captain’s armband, and I’m sure it meant the world to him when it was decided that he would lead the team.
He appears to enjoy playing for his boyhood club, and his performances and attitude since breaking into the first team prove it. When you consider periods in our recent history where certain players acted as if it was a chore to put on red and white, this is much more encouraging to see. But he wasn’t the only one in the running; Trai Hume and, if you don’t mind a keeper getting it, Anthony Patterson have also been mentioned.
It’s understandable why Luke O’Nien is the right choice for the time being, but there are some very good candidates behind him, and regardless of who does the pleasantries before kickoff and whatnot, having players setting an example and behaving like leaders is huge.
Obviously, Neil’s upbringing as a Sunderland fan gives him an extra connection, and that may have been part of Tony Mowbray’s thinking, but the overall ethos appears to be improving compared to when some regulars would have struggled just to pinpoint Wearside on a map – in the last week alone, I have seen four different players in a city supermarket (two men’s players and two women’s players), and then on Thursday I spotted one of them.
The most important issue is obviously what happens on the pitch, but having people who want to be here and be a part of the community is also important to the fanbase. We have a nice group of people who are easy to root for, and it’s fun to watch them grow.
Changing things up
Not all of the changes made against Swansea City last Saturday were successful, but against Birmingham City, the changes and substitutions had a much greater impact.
The last-minute shuffle caused by Dennis Cirkin’s continued bad luck could have easily derailed the plans, and we don’t know whether those still involved had been practising an entirely different defensive formation during training, but while his replacement Nectar Triantis needed time to find his feet, he still made an important contribution for the second goal.
It’s understandable that he was a little shaky at times given that this was his first league start and he was given a difficult assignment, but he and Jenson Seelt got through it and showed some promising signs.
One of this squad’s most valuable assets is its adaptability in terms of positional changes, and you had individuals like Jobe, Hume, and Niall Huggins in the most recent team who can do a job in multiple roles. Hume, for example, who was recently granted permission to play in midfield, was forced to play a much more traditional full back role but was still as happy as ever slide tackling all comers.
Then there were the in-game changes, which aided Sunderland’s victory; Abdoullah Ba showed some lovely touches once he got up to speed, Mason Burstow appeared to have found another level, and the other two substitutes, Adil Aouchiche and debutant Eliezer Mayenda, are both very exciting.
Both players have returned from injury and will be eager for more playing time, just as fans will be eager to see more of what they can do.
I’ll be there until the end.
This is a common topic of discussion, and while people have the right to do whatever they want, others have the right to question it, so why do so many people leave early?
We have a team out there giving their all and playing attractive football, but it isn’t enough for some to wait until the game is over and give them a well-deserved reception.
Home form is slowly but steadily improving, with two wins in a row and three in the last four, but this has been an issue for years and continues to perplex many.
There are those who have genuine reasons to get away quickly, but for others, often invested enough to be clad head to toe in SAFC clobber, as was once again evident against Birmingham – I dare say some of them couldn’t even explain why they do it, so ingrained it seems, but it will remain a puzzle when getting away from the Stadium of Light is a doddle compared to other grounds and puts those dropping an early shoulder at risk of being shor
This culture of leaving early is undoubtedly a setback for someone like Tony Mowbray, who works tirelessly to provide supporters with a winning team.
However, many of those leaving are invariably the same people who have been calling the players every name under the sun or have spent the previous 80 minutes loudly displaying a complete lack of knowledge of how the game is played, so perhaps it is better for everyone if they do nash off.
I’m not sure I want to be around two-faced people who are obnoxious one minute and then give it big licks the next; the club already has their money, after all, so one or two should leave and leave the other supporters to do what they do best – support the team.
To-do list for the coming week
It’s always nice to go into the break with a win, and it’ll be great to see Sunderland’s various internationals out there giving it their all.
For those still on Wearside, the focus should be on Patrick Roberts and getting him a new contract, even if it is just to keep the club from losing a transfer fee – not that losing him is something I would want to see.
We could do without another January transfer window drama. I’m sure, and here we have someone with rare technical ability who is reportedly eager to stay, so if things aren’t already moving behind the scenes, now is the time.
Roberts was getting kicked to bits against Birmingham but kept going at them, and even on a bad day, his presence creates space for others, so a bit of security on both sides would be a good thing.
