Sunderland post match thread

How strange but so so refreshing to see our 2 full backs pretty much playing midfield and not seeing us over run in the midfield worked a treat all we need is our front 4 to click and this is going to be a great season.
 
Delph could have had a tap-in for his efforts to get up in support if Kelechi had given the easy ball.
Really hope he doesn't try too hard to impress this season. He's got plenty of quality and we'd all be happy if he scored fewer but assisted more in situations like that.
 
lancs blue said:
I thought both full backs did well positionally in the new system, the main problem was their distribution, Clichy in particular made 3 poor passes in the second half in good attacking positions. Early days though and the nice thing is we'll get better as the season goes on and the players adapt.
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Positionally I agree, but that's no surprise as both Sagna and Clichy have always seemed pretty switched-on as far as our players go. Both have a good understanding of the game, are good athletes and will always put the work in. Neither though, as you point out, are particularly well-suited to intricate passes in the centre of the park. It truly is the earliest of days and I was very impressed by how much the payers have already taken on board. A bit more sharpness from our forward players and we should hopefully start easing through the gears soon.

With regards to other users' posts on Delph, he was pivotal in us finding a winner (as was Iheanacho). Before those two were on the pitch, we didn't have enough players willing to get inside the box when we had crossing opportunities; often our wingers had to try and pick out Aguero with 4-5 Sunderland players in the box. Navas was able to put the ball across the near post because Iheanacho made that run, and we forced the own goal because Delph made a burst to get in at the back post. Delph has technical limitations but his willingness to make those runs and force situations, especially late in the game, make him a very useful player to have around.
 
For the positions they take up, is it really worth playing Sagna and Clichy in these type of games? Obviously it has its benefits in more testing fixtures, particularly away from home but for home games, I can't help but think we'd be better off with a Yaya/Delph combo instead.

Some of the best positions we took up today in the final third were wasted by Sagna and Clichy through no fault of their own as they're not used to being in such advanced positions.
 
I thought we played with a lot more verve / tempo, and we looked to pass forward more than usual. That slow turgid build up play was gone - which is a real plus.
That said, when Pellegrini first came we started playing some fast and exciting stuff - so you have to be mindful of the 'new manager' impact. Hopefully Guardiola won't let us revert to type!

We still faced the issue of struggling to break down a 10 man defence, but I'm sure we'll work on that, and if we start inviting teams onto us, that should help (providing the opposition the bait!).

I thought Sterling had a good game, but that's in the context of last season. Today he started doing more of what he should - beating his man and getting a ball into the box. Can't say he was 'amazing' but it was an improvement.

Stones took to things like a duck to water. Looked very assured.

Fernandinho was excellent, and helped to prove Pep's view that he can play anywhere. Quite strange to see him deeper than Kolarov and Clichy at times!

KdB and Silva did ok, nothing spectacular, but dependable as usual.

This 'playing from the back' was abundantly evident from Willy. I don't think he was any better at it than Joe would have been, but that's a different issue. It was clear for all to see that Pep's demanding they play that way. He nearly dropped a clanger in the first half passing it to Sunderland, but he also pulled off what looked to be a great save too.

All in all, not a great game, but we looked to be working a LOT harder then usual, and at a much higher tempo.

1-0 material we definitely are not! We'll face better forward lines than Sunderland, but Defoe demonstrated how a quality finisher can (and will) score against us if we give them the slightest chance.


A lot of positives, a few 'more of the same' and no real negatives for me.
 
Well having not seen or heard any commentary, and just watched MoTD, how did we get 3 points ? we barely had a shot at goal, little possession, passing looked woeful too, and needed a penalty and an OG to win.





Its amazing how they can put highlights out like that, when the match commentator says something like 'a rare excursion into the City half' in the middle of it.
 
think of all the different options we have when the rest of the squad are available:

Kompany in - more solid
Gundogan in - Fernandinho into CB?
Strikers misfiring by Christmas or Injury to any of them - Gabriel Jesus arrives in Jan or Sane switches up front
Sane in - more pace, 4 wingers/forwards all capable of creating and scoring (well, maybe not Navas...)
Zinchenko provides relief in MF by being perfectly able technical player

and with Pep at the helm, he'll have even more crazy ideas than we can imagine.
 
cleavers said:
Well having not seen or heard any commentary, and just watched MoTD, how did we get 3 points ? we barely had a shot at goal, little possession, passing looked woeful too, and needed a penalty and an OG to win.





Its amazing how they can put highlights out like that, when the match commentator says something like 'a rare excursion into the City half' in the middle of it.
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You're a mod; get that agenda thread reinstated PDQ!
 
We were much better in the whole than I was expecting. Very few moments of chaos at the back and the system was very obvious (if not entirely effective yet).

Kolorov was excellent IMO. MOM for me. And stones was very good too.

IMO we played like a team who hadn't played enough preseason games. Once we get more games under our belt we'll be much crisper.

I'm very excited for the season ahead.
 
Not been in long; it's been a long day.

I think Pep's tactics will take as much getting used to for us, the supporters, as they will for the players. It seemed really odd to see Sagna and Clichy in central midfield, however, it was fantastic to see so much attacking talent in the starting XI.

Raheem was my MotM, though I thought Aleks was also very good, as was John Stones. It's the first time that I have really had the chance to study him closely. He really is a Rolls-Royce of a defender and seems to have everything in his armour. I'm delighted he now wears Light Blue.

Not the most convincing of victories, but a win's a win and we will definitely improve as injured players regain fitness and the whole squad becomes more familiar with Pep's style of play.
 
So anyone disappointed had too high expectations, anyone who thinks no shots from open play wasn't very good is a closet rag, and anyone who thinks looking more comfortable and fluent at the back and in midfield doesn't make much difference if you don't score is just not aware how we'll stuff everyone when it all clicks. Somehow I don't think the thread would have been quite so positive but for an own goal. And I'm not sure why people are obsessed about empty seats - I thought far fewer left early. But if Pep can coach Kolorov into a performance like that, I am optimistic.
 
I don't think De Bruyne will be first XI this season. He's clearly not a CM and will never be great in that role.
 
Few points - we were definitely under cooked after such a limited pre-season. The club need to look at that, as having so few games where mostly younger players were played is not ideal. However I thought there were several positives - Sterling, Stones, Fernandinho looked very good. DeBryune and Sergio will find form quickly - You can see what Pep is trying to install in the players and it will take a little time to get away from the laboured play of last year. Fitness will help once we have played more games. Gundogan will be key for us as he will dictate the pace we play at. Sane will add pace. And, finally remember how last year for 5 games we looked unbeatable then the season turned out to be a disappointment. This year with so many teams improving it is key to time our run of good form to coincide with later in the season. Title winning teams often go on great runs after xmas. Pep will sort it out I have no fear. A wins a win...
 
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