Post Match Reaction: Sunderland 2-2 SAINTS

[influx]

Paul Telfer would of made the difference today

[Andy Durman]

Sorry, but Ramirez injury must be 6-8 weeks. His foot is in a very nasty position.

[syd_barrett_saint]

Paul Telfer would of made the difference today

 

Paul Telfer would HAVE written that sentence correctly too. Talented guy.

[Turkish]

Lee Catermole was his usual outstanding self.

[Killers Knee]

We were punished for our sloppiness in front of goal. Johnson completely owned Shaw throughout, Lambert looked like he was labouring with an injury. Gaston was extremely unlucky and looked a threat during his short cameo. We played well but our pathetic finishing cost us.

 

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[Graffito]

We were punished for our sloppiness in front of goal. Johnson completely owned Shaw throughout, Lambert looked like he was labouring with an injury. Gaston was extremely unlucky and looked a threat during his short cameo. We played well but our pathetic finishing cost us.

 

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Profligate in front of goal but also errors in conceding goals. Lovren played their man (Borini?) onside and maybe he'd switched off a bit having scored seconds earlier. Boruc should have saved the first.

[smithy]

Rodriguez frustrates me with his finishing. He took his goal well but could have had a hat trick today, sometimes he just seems a little casual to me. If he just worked a little harder on his finishing he would be right up there with the top scorers in the league.

[Bucks Saint]

Johnson completely owned Shaw throughout,

 

Chris Waddle and the commentator on 5 Live both said Shaw handled him brilliantly and that Johnson did not go past him until the 60th minute

[Lallana's Left Peg]

Chris Waddle and the commentator on 5 Live both said Shaw handled him brilliantly and that Johnson did not go past him until the 60th minute

 

Quite right - the only time Johnson got space in the second half was when Shaw was tucked inside to deal with the Sunderland counter attacks. I thought Shaw handled him very well considering the form Johnson is in and that Jay Rod often comes inside leaving our left flank very exposed.

[GarrettIvo]

Where the fudge was Shaw for their equaliser, I thought Danny Fox was on the pitch. And don't start me on Boruc. Gazza could have saved that, one handed. Utter **** for that goal.

But far more important than the result is the condition of Gaston and Lovren, shame we don't have to play Sunderland again as Wes Brown needs snapping for that challenge. *****.

 

 

This. I'm just a bloke from Oz who's followed the Saints for almost 20 years from afar, and I don't hear or read 10% of the insider stuff. And I know Shaw is an exceptional talent and still developing at the top level. But if an 18 year old kid hasn't developed a right foot at this stage of his life surely it's a fair bet he's never going too. That scissor kick clearance late in the first half a perfect example. The ball was right there to just hoof with the right leg, but instead he has to contort himself for a risky clearance. Got the job done but even so.

 

Not trolling but if City is seriously considering parting with $30 million for a one sided player who still has questionable defensive capabilities at this level I would have thought we'd be delivering him with a bow attached. As much as I would actually dislike he prospect, that's good business.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

The news of the injuries will determine my frame of mind on this one. But cometh the day, Wes Brown is up against the wall with Adrian Heath, Roger Milford, Rory Fallon, Billy Davies, David Nugent and Mark Lawrenson. Which one would you shoot first?

[Sour Mash]

Missed the first few minutes due to Grand Central Trains being incompetent c**ts, but the rest of the first half we seemed as top draw as Sunderland seemed s**te and should have gone in a few goals ahead at half time. Lovren at fault for playing Borini onside for that? Probably need to rewatch it to be honest.

 

They were always going to come out the 2nd half and have a real go, Boruc and Shaw should have done better for their equaliser. Shaw still struggles from time to time, the problem with relying on an 18 year old kid in the Premier League. Decent enough point all told, but how the f**k we've not been able to beat that sh**e once out of the three games this season I'll never know! I'd like to see them get relegated this year for a variety of good reasons.

 

Not sure why anyone is criticising Lambert, thought he was good today, not like we're over-flowing with options off the bench.

[FarehamRed]

The news of the injuries will determine my frame of mind on this one. But cometh the day, Wes Brown is up against the wall with Adrian Heath, Roger Milford, Rory Fallon, Billy Davies, David Nugent and Mark Lawrenson. Which one would you shoot first?

 

Milford. Then Heath.

[fanimal]

You have forgotten Bailey from Blackburn…..

[Toomer]

Another game of missed chances cost us two points again.

[Window Cleaner]

Anyone noticed how hard to beat Sunderland are becoming ? Think they've lost once in 10 games in all competitions. They weren't very good in the first half but coming back straight away after going 2 down obviously boosted them. Then they made 2 good substitutions and got at us straight away in the second half. Not discontent with the result at all myself, perhaps I'm just easy to please though.

[BotleySaint]

Not discontent with the result at all myself, perhaps I'm just easy to please though.

 

I'm fine with a point. Sunderland are a tricky team at home and have improved a lot recently. Always felt this would be a draw. With better finishing it would be out of sight.. but you have to pay megabucks for that consistency e.g Man City

 

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[Window Cleaner]

I'm fine with a point. Sunderland are a tricky team at home and have improved a lot recently. Always felt this would be a draw. With better finishing it would be out of sight.. but you have to pay megabucks for that consistency e.g Man City

 

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I thought Sunderland's two subs on the hour changed the game a lot. Gave them new energy just when we were running out of it in places. I see Cork has been voted MOM on this forum but I thought he was fading fast from about 70' onwards. The fact that we had no solution for that on the bench was a bit of a drawback for us because I really don't think JWP is suited to that role at all. Both of our CMs won an awful lot of balls in the air yesterday and were put to rude contribution, we really need a change there at about 70 minutes.

[saintfully]

The news of the injuries will determine my frame of mind on this one. But cometh the day, Wes Brown is up against the wall with Adrian Heath, Roger Milford, Rory Fallon, Billy Davies, David Nugent and Mark Lawrenson. Which one would you shoot first?

 

Its Heath for me. Every time.

[Saint Charlie]

We were going to bring JWP on for Cork then couldnt because of the subs needed for the injuries.

[shurlock]

Was in a cab traveling from Durham when the first goal went in but thought we were excellent first half - snuffed out Ki through whom most of their play develops and should have been out of sight by HT.

 

Cork MOTM for me. Schneiderlin (who seemed more advanced up the pitch) also very good.

 

Lambert had a good first half but was given plenty of space and time. Second half was a different matter and he struggled.

 

Starting Chambers didn't work IMO and didn't have much understanding with Davis. Shaw much better going forward and only a matter of time till he scores. Defensively was pretty good most of the game. Got done for the second -not the first time this had happened when a player has cut inside- though the whole defense was too spaced apart after Ki's first time ball opened us up down the right.

 

Sub made sense, though not like Poch can do much other than bring on Gaston or JWP. Tight game, so there was no need to throw caution to the wind and gamble by taking Cork off. Lallana struggled once Colback came on while Ramirez provided some needed burst. If the great and the good think Schneiderlin's tackle against Diame was worthy of a red, don't see how Brown's any different.

 

On the whole, quite satisfied with the performance -we're miles ahead of them and this without a full strength squad. Just need a bit more ruthlessness and swagger.

 

Grand Central and East Coast did their best to mess the day up but it could have been a lot worse. At 9.15, stranded in Kings X, the day threatened to be a total write off.

Edited 19 January, 2014 by shurlock

[Leicestersaint]

Cork was excellent.

[Saint_Tony]

Nice goal from J Rod, but some of his efforts when through on goal were simply tame. It was the same against Burnley as well. It's harsh to criticise him as he's improved massively and I think there's more to come, but a more clinical striker would be scoring 2 a game for us with the chances we create

[Badger]

Its Heath for me. Every time.

 

And John Bailey next.

[OldNick]

I thought Sunderland's two subs on the hour changed the game a lot. Gave them new energy just when we were running out of it in places. I see Cork has been voted MOM on this forum but I thought he was fading fast from about 70' onwards. The fact that we had no solution for that on the bench was a bit of a drawback for us because I really don't think JWP is suited to that role at all. Both of our CMs won an awful lot of balls in the air yesterday and were put to rude contribution, we really need a change there at about 70 minutes.

If you watch how Mourinho plays against our type of football it is the same thing. They players sap their strength for the first 60mins and then they bring on fresh players to add energy in midfield

[Window Cleaner]

If you watch how Mourinho plays against our type of football it is the same thing. They players sap their strength for the first 60mins and then they bring on fresh players to add energy in midfield

 

 

Yes and it's very effective at the moment because we have no real change options in CM and won't have until Vic is back.

We have Davis and JWP who can be shuffled about but neither of them has the rugged ability of Schneiderlin and Cork. Both played extremely well yesterday but as they seem to need to cover for the FBs late on as well it's a monumental task for them to keep going as they did yesterday for 90 minutes. Then again I thought Lallana and Davis were pretty quiet all game yesterday and didn't help as much as they usually do.

[Lord Duckhunter]

Thought it was a re run of the Cardiff game. Like Cardiff they let us pass the ball around and didn't close us down at all. Difference was we banged 3 in and put the match to bed by half time at Cardiff. Their first goal was the killer, cause they were gone. Stoke and Wigan stand out from last year as similar games, its hard enough to win away games without chucking away points when you totally dominate sides.

[Verbal Kint]

Thought it was a re run of the Cardiff game. Like Cardiff they let us pass the ball around and didn't close us down at all. Difference was we banged 3 in and put the match to bed by half time at Cardiff. Their first goal was the killer, cause they were gone. Stoke and Wigan stand out from last year as similar games, its hard enough to win away games without chucking away points when you totally dominate sides.

 

It's massively frustrating. Sunderland x2, West ham, Aston villa, even stoke away are games we've completely dominated and not won. That's 11 points thrown away through wasting chances. With those points we'd be up there with Everton challenging for the Champions league. And on the flip side i can't recall a game this season where we've got something and thought "we were lucky today", except possibly first day of the season at Albion where we got a soft penalty late on.

 

Frustrating

[Chez]

And John Bailey next.

 

Can you remind me again why bailey is disliked so much

[Griffo]

I've got no idea how we didn't win that. Boruc should have saved both. Grand Central did their best to f*ck the day up, was meant to be on an 8.11 from Kings Cross and ended up finally on a 9.30 to Newcastle. Celebrated our opener listening to the radio in a cab on the way from Durham.

[Badger]

Can you remind me again why bailey is disliked so much

 

Think it was covered on this thread:

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?43418-Forgive&highlight=John+Bailey#.UtvCGbBFD4g

[shurlock]

I've got no idea how we didn't win that. Boruc should have saved both. Grand Central did their best to f*ck the day up, was meant to be on an 8.11 from Kings Cross and ended up finally on a 9.30 to Newcastle. Celebrated our opener listening to the radio in a cab on the way from Durham.

 

Turns out those who winged it with the 9am East Coast didn't have to pay the £120 for a new ticket. Tried to the same on the way back but the jobsworth guard kicked us off at York.

[Griffo]

Turns out those who winged it with the 9am East Coast didn't have to pay the £120 for a new ticket. Tried to the same on the way back but the jobsworth guard kicked us off at York.

 

That's annoying. Was contemplating getting on the 9am and hiding in the toilets when the fat train guard bird walked up and down but it wasn't worth the risk of getting kicked off and missing more of the game.

[Charlie Wayman]

You wonder why we bother to play pretty intricate football when a team as crassly poor as Sunderland can score just as many goals playing what the pundits call "the direct game" with lots of physical huffing and puffing and long hopeful balls up the channels followed by aimless crosses to nowhere in particular. The conclusion is that ugly, unentertaining kick-a-bout is just as effective as tippy-tappy tango, so what's it all about?

 

The answer is as usual our strikers let us down badly and miss open goal after open goal when we should have scored at least 4 before HT and maybe 5. Plenty of comment above about this so no need to go on and on but if the front men can't score then Cork, Davis and Schneiderlin should step up to the plate but they rarely do.

Surely we can be more objective and aggressive in the final third?

 

Give Saurez a sniff if a goal and he bust every gut in his body to make sure it goes in the net, same with Aguero, same with Hazard. Are they great players by nature or jus more willing to have a go when others give it up as a bad job. Rodrigues and Lambert do not have the forcefulness of these types of players and it is high time management woke up to the fact. What happened to Seagar, I thought he scored for fun? Is there nobody in the Academy of Shearer quality coming through?

 

Tough week I know but bloody hell this second half collapse was inexcusable. If they're all knackered by HT then for heaven's sake slow them up ia bit in the first half so that they have some energy left for later.

[Chewy]

You wonder why we bother to play pretty intricate football when a team as crassly poor as Sunderland can score just as many goals playing what the pundits call "the direct game" with lots of physical huffing and puffing and long hopeful balls up the channels followed by aimless crosses to nowhere in particular. The conclusion is that ugly, unentertaining kick-a-bout is just as effective as tippy-tappy tango, so what's it all about?

 

The answer is as usual our strikers let us down badly and miss open goal after open goal when we should have scored at least 4 before HT and maybe 5. Plenty of comment above about this so no need to go on and on but if the front men can't score then Cork, Davis and Schneiderlin should step up to the plate but they rarely do.

Surely we can be more objective and aggressive in the final third?

 

Give Saurez a sniff if a goal and he bust every gut in his body to make sure it goes in the net, same with Aguero, same with Hazard. Are they great players by nature or jus more willing to have a go when others give it up as a bad job. Rodrigues and Lambert do not have the forcefulness of these types of players and it is high time management woke up to the fact. What happened to Seagar, I thought he scored for fun? Is there nobody in the Academy of Shearer quality coming through?

 

Tough week I know but bloody hell this second half collapse was inexcusable. If they're all knackered by HT then for heaven's sake slow them up ia bit in the first half so that they have some energy left for later.

 

Sorry, as much as I share the frustration about yesterday's draw, are you really suggesting the management need to "wake up" to the fact that our strikers aren't as good as Suarez, aguero and hazard, and that we don't have an Alan shearer in the academy?

 

Even by this sites standards that's possibly the most delusional rant I've ever seen.

[doggface]

Disappointed not to win after a dominant 1st half where we excellent. They were lucky as **** to get the 1st goal with their 1st shot. Dejan I think not up with play. Credit to dagenham & redbridge in the 2nd half, they were always going to push for the equaliser but credit to saints for digging deep instead of folding.

 

 

A point away in the bpl is not a bad result but we should have seen it out. The hysteria at the result well ott, wet fannies galore.

 

 

Gaston looked terrible but brown does win the ball, his momentum takes him through studs up on gastons ankle. As much as I want to call brown a **** I just think it was a bit unlucky and clumsy at worst. No intent.

 

 

Season ending for gaston for sure, not sure what's wrong with dejan but oxegen looked bad.

 

 

proud of the lads

[John Boy Saint]

When was the last time a player got 80% of the MOTM vote on here? Well done Jack Cork, he looked surprised when he got the trophy after the game.

[Berkshire Saint]

That's annoying. Was contemplating getting on the 9am and hiding in the toilets when the fat train guard bird walked up and down but it wasn't worth the risk of getting kicked off and missing more of the game.

 

I was on the 0900 and she was okay about it. It was about an hour/hour and a half into the journey so I guess by then she had calmed down and decided to be reasonable. It's just pot luck with train guards in that situation really! Had to get the Metro to Stadium of Light and just made kick off so can't complain.

 

As for the game, the first half was about as well as we've played away from home in years, shame we weren't at least three goals up by half time. Sunderland improved a bit but until they equalised we actually had the better chances in the second half. Thought there was a real sense of complacency throughout the side in the second half and once they equalised I thought some of our time wasting was odd as I didn't see why we couldn't get going again and go for the win.

[Window Cleaner]

Disappointed not to win after a dominant 1st half where we excellent. They were lucky as **** to get the 1st goal with their 1st shot. Dejan I think not up with play. Credit to dagenham & redbridge in the 2nd half, they were always going to push for the equaliser but credit to saints for digging deep instead of folding.

 

 

A point away in the bpl is not a bad result but we should have seen it out. The hysteria at the result well ott, wet fannies galore.

 

 

Gaston looked terrible but brown does win the ball, his momentum takes him through studs up on gastons ankle. As much as I want to call brown a **** I just think it was a bit unlucky and clumsy at worst. No intent.

 

 

Season ending for gaston for sure, not sure what's wrong with dejan but oxegen looked bad.

 

 

proud of the lads

 

apparently giving them oxygen is a sort of standard thing, helps them relax in some way or other.

[dellboypete]

Got back late last night after having a long weekend via York - where our son and daughter-in-law and our three month our grand-daughter live (handy excuse for northern games).

 

Not much to add to the various posts except:

 

1. After the break Sunderland started playing a very physical game and nobody on here has pointed out that it was clear that poyet told his players to be very physical on Lallana. Several times in the first 15 mins of the 2nd half he was repeatedly targeted and eventually they took catermole off - he had already been booked and could easily have been sent off. I'm assuming Lallana went off with an injury?

 

2. After the game had a long chat with a load of home fans in the Tesco Extra next to the metro station where we parked. Always amazes me at the completely opposite views you get of a match (obviously I'm completely unbiased!). None of them would accept that we played them off the park in the first half - their view was that they they played rubbish, not that we had played well. I tried to explain to them that the reason they looked rubbish was because we dominated possession and should have been 3 or 4 up at half time. Astonishingly they all seemed to think that they dominated the 2nd half completely. OK - they had several periods when were under the cosh but I still think there was only one team out there playing football.

 

3. On the way back we stopped at the cunningly named A19 Services on the A19 (believe it or not!) just north of Teeside. Who should get out of a Golf GTI but our own Jay Rodrigues! My daughter was almost having orgasms as he was with, and I quote, "a couple of really hot guys!". Turns out they were going back to Burnley for the rest of the weekend.

[Batman]

It's the same here when we get well beat. It's not down to the oppo being better, it's because we are crap and MOPO is out of ideas blah blah blah

[DuncanRG]

To be fair they were woeful in the first half. We were on top of our game but a half-decent team would have kept some of those chances out. Always the way though, home fans (including us) always expect better.

 

And I think they were the better team second half as well. 'Dominated' might be pushing it but they certainly had all the momentum with them.