Sunderland post match thread

[Dazzle84]

It wasn't spectacular but bloody hell it was so refreshing to see a side with a plan. Some of the passing was superb and when that properly clicks we're really going to take the piss.
Glad to see kolarov do well. Never been much of a fan but credit where it's due.
Stones, however, is an absolute star. I was an advocate and really glad we bought him & I don't think his debut could have gone any better - he's so composed on the ball it's untrue. Everyone else sees a forward within 10 yards and panics - he just stops and waits - so simple really.
Sterling was the real star though - never mind who we've bought this year, he's going to be an absolute star this year.
Finally, sorry for the long post, but lovely to see Silva as skipper. Thought he was very good while he was on (bit of bias there maybe!)

 

[lancs blue]

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.

Too early to say that though both KdB and Kun were below their best today. Could be the disjointed pre-season has affected them more than others.

 

[city_spencer]

Overall they exceeded my expectations. When I saw Kolorov in the starting line-up I was a little worried, but he proved to be quite effective.

Can't wait to see how the team plays after they have gotten used to Pep's system.

 

[Kezinstep]

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.

I think he's proven he's one of the best counter-attacking players out there. He's a special player who can change a game in an instant with such ease but he does seem to go missing in games where we dominate possession however I disagree, I can only see him getting better

 

[ninjamonkey]

Opinions on nolitos performance?

Honestly? Waas rather anonymous and from the very limited amount i've seen of him so far i don't see what he brings to the side. Reasonably intelligent link up play but ultimately lacks the pace to be effective and doesn't seem to be very capable of beating a man mainly due to the iron boots he wears. First half in particular he linked up well with Silva, got into some great positions but was as obvious as they come and couldn't capitalise on it. Before somebody jumps on me, i'm obviously not passing judgement on him yet just commenting on what we've seen of him thus far

 

[Gelsons Dad]

I liked it. i think we will be looking for at least one if not two fullbacks though. It's a very different role from the speed merchants overlapping that we are used to. Up front I expect the pace of passing to increase and a lot more one touch rather than the two or more touch that the we have seen over the last few seasons. The play will start much deeper in the centre and the days of us sitting outside the oppositions box recycling the ball are over. We will be doing that much deeper waiting for the gaps to open.
Stones looked great. Naval and sterling will need to improve although sterling was better than he has been since he first joined. He does need to be more mobile when receiving the ball though.

Looking forward to watching us develop after the last few seasons of dross tactics.

 

[Phil1]

I liked it. i think we will be looking for at least one if not two fullbacks though. It's a very different role from the speed merchants overlapping that we are used to. Up front I expect the pace of passing to increase and a lot more one touch rather than the two or more touch that the we have seen over the last few seasons. The play will start much deeper in the centre and the days of us sitting outside the oppositions box recycling the ball are over. We will be doing that much deeper waiting for the gaps to open.
Stones looked great. Naval and sterling will need to improve although sterling was better than he has been since he first joined. He does need to be more mobile when receiving the ball though.

Looking forward to watching us develop after the last few seasons of dross tactics.

Sterling has already shown vast improvements on what he was doing last season.

 

[OB1]

Great and fascinating to see a City team trying to implement what Pep had asked of them.

I thought the full backs made a decent fist of their first game in central midfield. Dinho carried out the pivote role very well.

Stones played with great assurance and Kolarov had a genuinely intelligent game beside him.

I think Sterling will get more confident.

Hugely important to get the three points.

 

[Wilmslow Road]

Please tell me how we can play two fullbacks in midfield, who are not even the best fullbacks in their position.

 

[Armaan]

I just don't get KDB, why don't I see a world class player when so many on here do??? He plays like Milner, I just don't know how he's rated so high. He cant beat a man at all and I think we'd be better off with Nasri back in the side.