Sunderland post match thread

Yates said:
Kolarov played ok but let's not get carried away here, he was under minimal pressure for the most part and when he did have to defend, he was very suspect as he always is, aerially he was pretty vital with our lack of height but any 6ft+ player who can play a bit of football could have slotted in there today and looked ok
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I been pretty critical of Kolarov & I was genuinely surprised (& disappointed) to see his name on the team sheet, but I have a lot of faith in Pep & I thought if he thinks he's good enough, I'll go along with that.

I've now got even more faith in Pep. Yes, he had less to do than he will in other games this season, but he played much better than I'm used to. Of the 3 full backs on show today he wasn't the best (I thought the other 2 did really well in their new roles) but he was far more disciplined than we're used to. Well done Aleks.

Clearly this is still work in progress for everyone, but I am very excited about the future under this innovative manager. Remember, Barcelona began his reign with a defeat & a draw. City will set the bar for other teams in the PL.
 
I liked the interchanging. The movement of players in and out of the back line worked well.

After watching pre-season, and looking at the line-up, it was the defence that worked well I thought, although Sunderland did not attack much. Going forward I thought we were limited. De Bruyne, Nolito and Aguero all quiet. Sterling and Navas when he came on were the players who threatened for us. We noticeably stepped it up when they equalised and it looked like a goal was coming.

A good start. And most importantly 3 points in the bag.
 
All about the learning while trying to stay in contention. Just wait till we get a fit Gundogan in there, with a few months of proper coaching and games.
 
Great start for me.

First time in 2 years I actually see a plan and structure to our team regardless who plays.

We have had no pre season and still some main players out.

Really enjoyed watching the team and pep shouting his orders out from the side, he was like our captain. We even managed to find our own player from a throw in and it's been a while since I witnessed that.

We will have a few months before we are on fire and no doubt the odd silly goal given away but we are going to be hard to beat.

Have to agree the atmosphere was flat after 10 mins but we are all just getting our head around the pep way.

It's going to be a great season for us.
 
ojeme said:
Good to see a new city side and we don't have everyone on board yet.
I'd love to see the following line up very shortly:
Hart/Caballero
Sagna Stones Kompany Delph/Clichy
Gundogan Fernandinho
Sterling De Bruyne/Silva Sane
Aguero
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We have so many options. Still got Sane and Gundogan to come in, and Kompany to come back.
 
Huge learning curve and clearly still a work in progress. We will improve as the season goes on. If we are there or thereabouts after Christmas there will be no stopping us.
 
Pep says Raheem Sterling 'played amazing', labelled him a 'fighter' and wants to unlock the 'real Sterling'.
Pep: "In the second half we played really, really well. We made good build-ups, with Kolarov, Fernandinho and Sagna."
Pep: "Maybe we should attack quicker but that is normal. We have to learn. I saw many good things about the spirit of the team."
 
The only people who can be disappointed with that are those whose expectations were way too high to begin with.
 
RonIpstone said:
Beating possibly the worst team in the Premier League by a penalty and an own goal is not something to get excited about.
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What you say 'may' be true, but can you honestly say you saw no positives: Sterling, Stones, Alex, a new system in progress? Sincere question?
 
Blu1 said:
Great start for me.

First time in 2 years I actually see a plan and structure to our team regardless who plays.

We have had no pre season and still some main players out.

Really enjoyed watching the team and pep shouting his orders out from the side, he was like our captain. We even managed to find our own player from a throw in and it's been a while since I witnessed that.

We will have a few months before we are on fire and no doubt the odd silly goal given away but we are going to be hard to beat.

Have to agree the atmosphere was flat after 10 mins but we are all just getting our head around the pep way.

It's going to be a great season for us.
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One disappointment was the atmosphere. Totally flat. Went home happy enough but there was no noise or sustained singing. Maybe that's because it was a game we expected to win, but probably this is the way it is now.
 
Alex B said:
Looked full to me, maybe the odd empty seats as you would expect In holiday seasom but that just gets exaggerated with it being us.

The atmosphere though was poor. I get what people are saying with the possession of football but fuck me its first game of the season with the manager we all wanted with players putting a shift in. Needs sorting out.
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Thoroughly enjoyed it. Some bizarre commentary as usual: praising the full backs for creating extra midfield then criticising them for it once we'd conceded. Who employs these imbeciles?

The BBC review of the of the game suggests we were fortunate and that Sunderland have plenty to look forward to. Again, why the determination for things to not be right at City?

What I saw was one totally dominant side with the opposition reduced to lumping balls forward and hoping for knock downs.

I think it bodes brilliantly for us. It's also so cool to get an opportunity to watch a style of play and an understanding of the strategic management of the game develop before our eyes. We are blessed but bloody hell, we do deserve it.
 
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tolmie's hairdoo said:
I loved it.

Football with a purpose, and once the top end delivers with a final product, there will be total dominance of games.

Kudos to the lads at the back because we already look very comfortable playing it under pressure.

Stones is a Rolls Royce
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Me too - the biggest problem pep will face is ignorant moaning fans.
 
Marvin said:
One disappointment was the atmosphere. Totally flat. Went home happy enough but there was no noise or sustained singing. Maybe that's because it was a game we expected to win, but probably this is the way it is now.
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We are not known for raising the roof for sustained periods(some people just want to watch the game and don't think it matters much there's different kinds of fans imo and we have a mixed bunch) but I hope we start to attract more fans who go for that sort of thing because it's just better all around, helps the team, shuts BT Sports up. I think today people were too engrossed with the game working out what was happening on the pitch, it's hard to cheer or chant when you're trying to focus intently on the whole pitch, I hope that's the reason anyway because as people get used to it the volume will increase.
 
Lots of positives, Stones, Nolito, Sterling.
Aguero looking a bit rusty but he'll come good. David looks better than he finished last season and Kolarov answered a few critics.
Still plenty of work to do with Pep and more to come from some who didn't get their chance today
 
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