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Sunderland (a) - Verified 100% Official Match Thread

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docomospur said:
I honestly think all this free roaming shit is slowing down our play. I gather that the defenders and central midfielders have to take some time to look up and track where Bale and VdV have gone walkabout.
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Definitely, if under pressure in possession you need to know where your 'out ball' is likely to be so that a punt in the general direction doesn't just give the oppo the ball back.
 
One of the most boring games I've seen. Both goalkeepers didn't even have to make a save. Must win all our remaining home games and get at least a win an draw from our remaining away games.
 
The thing is - good luck to anyone that wants to employ those tactics long term as they are forgetting the fundamental element that will always hold them back; football is entertainment.

There is a reason that the teams that play the best football are the best supported and have the most money.

Sunderland can look forward to being just like Villa in 3-4 years once O'Neil has packed their team full of shit players on huge wages.....
 
Blanchflower said:
The thing is - good luck to anyone that wants to employ those tactics long term as they are forgetting the fundamental element that will always hold them back; football is entertainment.

There is a reason that the teams that play the best football are the best supported and have the most money.

Sunderland can look forward to being just like Villa in 3-4 years once O'Neil has packed their team full of shit players on huge wages.....
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I thought Bruce already had...
 
ArtyB said:
Blanchflower said:
The thing is - good luck to anyone that wants to employ those tactics long term as they are forgetting the fundamental element that will always hold them back; football is entertainment.

There is a reason that the teams that play the best football are the best supported and have the most money.

Sunderland can look forward to being just like Villa in 3-4 years once O'Neil has packed their team full of shit players on huge wages.....
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I thought Bruce already had...
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Heskey is still at Villa for now
 
Fucking hell, I can't believe how different and negative some of the opinions are in this thread.

Sunderland set up and played the way they needed to against a top side who are better than them. We did it to Mourinhio's Chelsea a few seasons back.

We played well but just lacked that bit of polish on our passing and we desperately needed a bit of flair to help us finish.

This was always going to be a tough game but I'm happy to take the point.

Roll on Monday, COYS!
 
Blanchflower said:
Away from home

there is a slight difference

if any manager tried to set spurs up like that at home they'd be lynched on the high road
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Fair point.

But we can have the arse-ache with the Sunderland tactics as much as we like. At the end of the day I'm flattered they were that scared of us they needed to play like that at home.
Out of the two who walked away happier with the 0-0 draw?
 
Benjoss said:
Blanchflower said:
Away from home

there is a slight difference

if any manager tried to set spurs up like that at home they'd be lynched on the high road
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Fair point.

But we can have the arse-ache with the Sunderland tactics as much as we like. At the end of the day I'm flattered they were that scared of us they needed to play like that at home.
Out of the two who walked away happier with the 0-0 draw?
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I'd hope and pray that neither set of fans was happy with a 0-0

if they were they may as well give up watching football as they are doing it for the wrong reasons
 
Martin O'Neill's post-match thoughts:

The news has come through that Tottenham were a bit frustrated, oh well, we had to play strongly. We don’t have the same resources at this moment. Hopefully at some stage or another in our development that might happen. It was a tough afternoon for us, but it was for them as well.

I naturally disagree because he has the players to be able to play. It is interesting because just last week at White Hart Lane, I felt Harry set out in a manner in which to stop Swansea playing, initially, before they started to play themselves.

He would have know it was going to be tough here today. They are all good players. It is interesting as well because James McClean was up against one of the very best full-backs playing in the league and yet Tottenham had a man doubling in behind.

We were terribly frustrated by that because he wasn’t allowed to go one-on-one because if he had done McClean has the beating of just about every full-back that is playing.

The point was hard-earned. It was a tough game, but I still thought we looked dangerous in possession.

Tottenham, as befits a side going for the Champions’ League, had good possession of the ball because they have very fine players.

Tottenham have threats everywhere and I could name three or four of their players who would walk into any side in European football. We’ve made good progress, taking two points from sides positioned second and fourth in the league.

From that viewpoint I have to feel some sort of satisfaction from not having been beaten.
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Does he have a point re the bit in bold?

I don't usually enjoy watching MoN's teams play, but he gives intelligent interviews, at least.
 
S.L.R said:
Martin O'Neill's post-match thoughts:

The news has come through that Tottenham were a bit frustrated, oh well, we had to play strongly. We don’t have the same resources at this moment. Hopefully at some stage or another in our development that might happen. It was a tough afternoon for us, but it was for them as well.

I naturally disagree because he has the players to be able to play. It is interesting because just last week at White Hart Lane, I felt Harry set out in a manner in which to stop Swansea playing, initially, before they started to play themselves.

He would have know it was going to be tough here today. They are all good players. It is interesting as well because James McClean was up against one of the very best full-backs playing in the league and yet Tottenham had a man doubling in behind.

We were terribly frustrated by that because he wasn’t allowed to go one-on-one because if he had done McClean has the beating of just about every full-back that is playing.

The point was hard-earned. It was a tough game, but I still thought we looked dangerous in possession.

Tottenham, as befits a side going for the Champions’ League, had good possession of the ball because they have very fine players.

Tottenham have threats everywhere and I could name three or four of their players who would walk into any side in European football. We’ve made good progress, taking two points from sides positioned second and fourth in the league.

From that viewpoint I have to feel some sort of satisfaction from not having been beaten.
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Does he have a point re the bit in bold?

I don't usually enjoy watching MoN's teams play, but he gives intelligent interviews, at least.
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No. He is being purposely contrary as he is slightly embarrassed.

Barca are the best team at defending in the world - you don't notice it much as they always have the ball, but watch them without it.......they close down in packs for 10-15 seconds to try to win the ball back, if they fail they all fall back into position to defend and wait for the opposition to make a mistake.

The difference between Barca, us last week against Swansea and Sunderland yesterday is the latter didn't even consider committing anyone forward to try to score a goal until the last 5 minutes when they bravely sacrificed Bardsley for Richardson.

We also didn't set out to maim Swansea's players.
 
In a way the lack of concerted closing down by Sunderland was what undid us really. If they had been more aggressive in their pressing then we could have cut through them in a couple of intricate passes and created a chance or two. As it was you saw our players time and time again try little flicks around the corner, pass and move triangles and have a Sunderland player cut the ball out stepping out of their deeper position.

Games like that happen. Barca have drawn many games this season due to tactics exactly like this. Sometimes Messi manages to beat four men and slot home, or someone spanks in a 25 yard belter, but often you struggle for 90 minutes and can't get the luck.

As long as Woolwich lose against City today then it is a very valuable point.
 
HATE days like today. Half of me wants to cry cos the woolwich reject kiddie fiddling cunts won, the other half wants to piss myself laffing cos shitty lost AGAIN.
 
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