Match Thread | Sunderland vs. Manchester City (01/01/26)

[MCFC1993]

Could do with the referee clamping down on all the late kicks every time we've passed the ball.

That's how Gonzalez got his knock and how Adingra eventually got booked.

 

[Gorbachev]

Doku has to be playing in this team.

I though we missed him greatly last week despite us beating Forest.

He is such an instrumental player in how we attack this season, plus, their left back and winger won't push up as much with him on the pitch.

 

[Cigs&Alc]

Savinho is having a pretty standard Doku performance here. Not sure why some people are downplaying it.

 

[Alexia_Ko]

Laziest I’ve seen Haaland in a long time. Limited movement, not anticipating the ball and a scuffed easy shot

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Aimless because the big CF is always waiting at the back post for an inch perfect cross.

Is Savinho looking though. That one he twatted across the box was close to no one! Was it a shot or a cross?

His play has been good but his crossing shit.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Piss poor from City that was, nothing good to say about it ..... Haaland should have buried that chance too.

We aren’t losing and we are well in the game

 

[the-ecstacy-of-eight]

The league is turning out more and more physical sides - let's hope we don't get left behind and bullied.

Arms are allowed to be used a lot more than I remember them being. Sometimes. I don't even know what a foul is anymore; I'm 53. :)

 

[Blu1]

Feels just like the Forest game

Seems worse to me as they look more a threat than Forrest. But lack of energy in both games hurting us. Not sure our bench can offer much right now either

 

[EdersonsSmiley]

We have had one ruled out by an inch and Haaland has missed a sitter despite not playing well. Get Foden and Cherki on the ball and we will win this game.

 

[Ajm1985]

O'Reilly and Nunes then.

That's fine, still width! Don't mind that change - Rodri in, 2 pivots, control midfield and width from essentially WBs.

 

[youngbob]

Width would be serving us better if Haaland made runs to the near post once in a while. He's clearly under instruction to head to the far post but it gives Savinho and Cherki so much to do.

 

[Brewster's millions]

Nothing up front and two centre midfielders who stroll about against a very physical side and can’t pass it forward.

We need to put Rodri and Doku on, and I’d be tempted to put Khusanov on at right back and play Nunes in midfield as well.

 

[Lowtower]

Alright you mental bastards?

Are we shit again now?


Anyway, struggling against a big, strong and quick side, they should tire, hopefully Doku is fit enough for 20 minutes here to snatch us the win

 

[Eccles Blue]

A bit meh so far. But there's still the second half to go, and I still believe we'll get the job done. Now; Im just off to make a cup of coffee.....

Was that a Christmas present? *innocent smile*

 

[Rory Bluelow]

Tough watch thus far - but I doubt they can sustain this intensity (err then again who knows)

I’m expecting us to get better and they won’t. Tight game but we’ve enough quality to do it.

 

[Blu1]

Laziest I’ve seen Haaland in a long time. Limited movement, not anticipating the ball and a scuffed easy shot

Last game he was the same. Looks way off it

 

[christened at st marks]

Gigi and Haaland are turning possession over 50% of the time between them

 

[Roachy]

Midfield needs to move it about a bit quicker, they'll crack.

 

[Chak19]

Is Savinho looking though. That one he twatted across the box was close to no one! Was it a shot or a cross?

His play has been good but his crossing shit.

No I agree he needs to do better, but he's played some half decent crosses and no one was making any movement in the box.

 

[Blue-Ghana]

If Cherki does not produce, we get no creativity from others . This should have been an easy game for us, considering how many players they are missing