Sunderland Post Match Thoughts

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

A good game to watch for a football fan.
First of all Sunderland Fc.
Pritchard was a constant threat down the left flank, then he moved inside, he is the
engine room of a very good side in the first half, he brought a brilliant save from
Victor.
Rotherham United were up for it last night, after Saturdays dour game from a Millers
point of view.
We played against a very strong team, but we showed we can match them, Bulldog
scored a well taken goal to give the Millers the lead, he was for ever chomping at the
bit against the Sunderland midfield & defence.
Ferguson showed his class with a well taken goal, if only he was 5 years younger.
Fosu, Ogbene had a good game, still not sure on Hugill, but he did take some bad
treatment from Sunderland's defenders, & the referee.
Good defending from the Millers, like the Alamo last 10 - 15 minutes .
Washington unlucky last off hitting the post, nice to see Lindsay back in the fold.

Referee Chris Kavanagh
A poor game from the official, Millers could have had 2 penalties, one a certainty,
he gave no protection to Hugill.
Linesman - Poor linesman on the family stand side, but a better one at the West
stand side.
Hope Howard Webb was there to see the officials lapse of professionalism.

Stats
Millers ................ Sunderland Fc
36% - Possession - 64%
07 ----- Shots ----- 13
03 ---- On target -- 05
04 ---- Corners ---- 06
07 ----- Fouls ------ 09

My MoTM Rathbone [ Bulldog ]

[ragingpup]

Delighted with the result and especially the first half performance.

Not much to add to what's been said but just a bit of a further thought on reality checking. The 2nd half was a backs to the wall and welll executed rear guard action but on other games could well have gone against and often does despite our best efforts. I thought our first 30 mins against Coventry and the first half against Reading were of similar quality to our first half yesterday but we happened to get in the lead and hold on despite injuries piling up. So what I am getting at is that maybe we shouldn't be quite so quick to catastrophise when results go against us, or when the team doesn't click. At the end of the day, they are a team consisting of budget buys and imports that other teams don't want, and I think MT has done as well as anyone could have expected to get what he has from us, and of course the players should be applauded for yesterday, but also, not so quickly subject to finger pointing and accusations of not trying/being cr*p when things aren't working for them.

For me, I am expecting several mmore disappointments but hopefully 4 or 5 more 90 mins of success that might be enough to get us over the line and that seems a more reaistic hope than sending in loads of damning negativity after each disappointment. Just a thought.

Hail the lads and staff for last night though and I think the crowd getting well behind them in a way that often isn't there was a huge factor in seeing out the win. Fosu was excellent in his midfield role - seemed to catch Sunderland out but obv if he continues there teams will be more adapted to counter him. Coventry showed what he can do as well, at least in the first hour and great shows as ever from Viking, Basil, Pelts, Hilda, Hump, Videostar and great to see Wes showing what he can do when he is switched on. Oggie also seems to be returning to form which is crucial as an outlet. Good cameos from the others off the bench also - well played all who were there, on and off the pitch.

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

Delighted with the result and especially the first half performance.

Not much to add to what's been said but just a bit of a further thought on reality checking. The 2nd half was a backs to the wall and welll executed rear guard action but on other games could well have gone against and often does despite our best efforts. I thought our first 30 mins against Coventry and the first half against Reading were of similar quality to our first half yesterday but we happened to get in the lead and hold on despite injuries piling up. So what I am getting at is that maybe we shouldn't be quite so quick to catastrophise when results go against us, or when the team doesn't click. At the end of the day, they are a team consisting of budget buys and imports that other teams don't want, and I think MT has done as well as anyone could have expected to get what he has from us, and of course the players should be applauded for yesterday, but also, not so quickly subject to finger pointing and accusations of not trying/being cr*p when things aren't working for them.

For me, I am expecting several mmore disappointments but hopefully 4 or 5 more 90 mins of success that might be enough to get us over the line and that seems a more reaistic hope than sending in loads of damning negativity after each disappointment. Just a thought.

Hail the lads and staff for last night though and I think the crowd getting well behind them in a way that often isn't there was a huge factor in seeing out the win. Fosu was excellent in his midfield role - seemed to catch Sunderland out but obv if he continues there teams will be more adapted to counter him. Coventry showed what he can do as well, at least in the first hour and great shows as ever from Viking, Basil, Pelts, Hilda, Hump, Videostar and great to see Wes showing what he can do when he is switched on. Oggie also seems to be returning to form which is crucial as an outlet. Good cameos from the others off the bench also - well played all who were there, on and off the pitch.

Regarding teams countering Fosu, Coventry City did that last Saturday, every time Ogbene got
the ball, there were 2 defenders on him straight away.