| 10 thoughts on a wonderful first win; WTF Sunderland podcast 09:31 - Aug 23 with 1591 views | unstableblue |
Doesn’t it feel good today, lots of positives, here you go blue brothers and sisters:
1) the queue into the West Stand was really long at 2pm to get into the new turnstiles directly (not through the fanzone), they were basically checking bags under the new gate (soon to be adorned by a crest) and this was always going to create a bottle neck. They really need to think how this is going to work.
2) the new west stand concourse is really impressive, feels a different stand, but is a long way from being complete - patched up outside and cladding/panelling missing all over the place inside. If they can get the crowd flow working outside it’s a big step forward.
3) the starting 11 gave a few concerns, I just hadn’t seen enough energy/mobility from Nunez in pre season to play that key CM role. I was wrong - perhaps his best game in Town shirt, BUT he won’t stay in the starting 11
4) We went with the 4–2-3-1 with OShea at right back, and with an intent to press high and take the game to them. Didn’t always work as Sunderland for me were a good side who were already well integrated and gelled, much slicker interplay between players than us. They had 62% possession and we had to sit in at times. Dont think GON planned or expected that.
4) but our defence and goalkeeper were robust, Scherpen a little shakey at the start but grew in stature (literally), similarly our captain got exposed but again grabbed the role. Diop and Leif the standouts. Diop is commanding and Davis was better at defending than going forward for a change - a sensational block on Brobbey who is a handful. Diop did still have wobbles and can be better. Greaves I thought was solid throughout - and looks like Sasa Lukic on the pitch - confusing.
5) there were 4 reasons we won: 1) our press, 2) our ability to go deeper/structured, 3) we punished mistakes, and 4) Sasa Lukic. He was MOTM for me, was everywhere, just little and big things from him through that match that moved town or sorted out risks.
6) as stated our press up top was key - that front 4 were all relentless at pressuring the opposition Maeda and Fatawu are constantly running and hassling. Enciso was very very good - he looked top prem level. I’d watched the KOA interview with a French journalist stating the fee looked high and he hadn’t caught fire over there - he was unplayable yesterday
7) atmosphere was electric at start, well done to BA with the TIFO, nice idea - shame a lot of northstanders didn’t really commit to their banner raising, but it still worked . Sadly once Sunderland had that possession ascendency it went a bit flat again. But with the subs and then the winner the atmosphere was absolutely electric for last 5mins and at end. Fist bumps in first game!!
8) a draw may have been a fair result; but the stats show a higher XG for Town and we carved the chances. It was only a worldie free kick (our giant keeper couldn’t get to that) that gave them a goal. And what was really pleasing was we seemed to have higher fitness as a team to have the big push at the end.
9) as no decent immediate view shows from town sources, I listened to WTF Sunderland podcast. Quite an interesting style - a bit focussed on dildos and peggin (WTF indeed!!). They were just really lasering in on their errors and an interesting debate about players from the champ days who you have an emotional connection with - but who are just not good enough at this level O’Nien and Ballard errors costing them. Sound familiar. But what they miss is that Town in the Prem last campaign were ruthlessly punished when we made errors but never punished the other team when given chances - the excellent Emersonn and Enciso changed that. Ruthless.
10) it’s a huge 3 points, and to have a gushing MOTD review - just wow. Reflecting on the game and occasion it really feels that we needed to win that. Now let’s go to Old Trafford and enjoy it and pull off a shock! COYFB [Post edited 23 Aug 10:02]
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| Fat finger incomplete post there - now in football, completed and English check (n/t) on 09:46 - Aug 23 | unstableblue |
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| 10 thoughts on a wonderful first win; WTF Sunderland podcast on 10:33 - Aug 23 | Stourbridgeblue |
Yeah - I thought Greaves & Lukic were twins. Lukic had a bandage on his wrist, that was the best way to tell them apart. |  |
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| 10 thoughts on a wonderful first win; WTF Sunderland podcast on 12:09 - Aug 23 | BloomBlue |
| 10 thoughts on a wonderful first win; WTF Sunderland podcast on 10:33 - Aug 23 by Stourbridgeblue |
Yeah - I thought Greaves & Lukic were twins. Lukic had a bandage on his wrist, that was the best way to tell them apart. |
Good I thought I was the only one getting confused by Greaves and Lukic. Not only do they look similar they even have a similar running style. On more than 1 occasion I thought great work by Greaves or Lukic and realised I had got them mixed up. |  | | |
| 10 thoughts on a wonderful first win; WTF Sunderland podcast on 12:13 - Aug 23 | unstableblue |
| 10 thoughts on a wonderful first win; WTF Sunderland podcast on 10:33 - Aug 23 by Stourbridgeblue |
Yeah - I thought Greaves & Lukic were twins. Lukic had a bandage on his wrist, that was the best way to tell them apart. |
Great minds Stourbridge, great minds
Yes clocked the bandage start of second half and also used that to differentiate ‘the twins’
Made me realise Lukic was everywhere - and fed Clarke for the goal! | |
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| Mackem view of Jack Clarke goal celebration on 13:17 - Aug 23 | unstableblue |
A very well balanced discussion on their forum
The Sunderland fans I spoke to around the game were nice and well informed
Congratulation us in win on way up to station
https://www.readytogo.net/smb/ | |
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