26 Oct 2015 17:03:37
Don't no what to make of that fellas. Will take the three points any day of the week and beating the mags for first win of the season is quality but the first half was a worry. Defence looked slightly better can see big Sam has implemented change already. let's carry this to Everton and cause them some issues.

1.) 26 Oct 2015
26 Oct 2015 19:29:37
Yes there were worrying signs but I am over the moon we won. Certainly Defoe needs to start and I would be looking to replace Lens with Borini.
I was very disappointed with Lens and at times he looked disinterested.

Borini will give a lot more energy to the left flank. Also I would give Johnson a free rein to play from the middle of midfield because we did not have a playmaker even though Catts and Mvila were excellent.

This is similar to what Sam did with Downing at West Ham moving him centrally.

Also I work in Middlesbrough and there are rumours Downing will be comimg to Sunderland because he has had a bust up with Karanka and was dropped for the weekend.

2.) 27 Oct 2015
27 Oct 2015 01:04:52
Agree with the above! never mind the quality well take the points . we need to sort that defence out though! . at least we found out that the Mags have a worse defence than us! agree also Defoe needs to start and i'd try V A Holt as a left winger . worth a try!

3.) 27 Oct 2015
27 Oct 2015 08:53:35
Lets be honest, we were outplayed, even when they had 10 men!

The first half you could see that the team had been sent out to play defensive and neutralise their attacks. We basically went out to keep a clean sheet. I can only assume that by sitting back for 65/70 mins Sam thought we could then try and attack after they had used up their ideas and energy. Obviously the sending off and penalty stopped that.

There were more positives though than negatives. Costel in the 2nd half seemed to regain some confidence and two of his saves were excellent. The clean sheet is our first of the season so regardless of who it was against it allowed the opportunity to win. We scored from a corner (shock horror) and Fletcher seems to be confident again. Not only for his goal but his overall work rate was good (almost like he's playing for a new contract) and he led the lien very well.

M'Vila is simply a quality footballer. I seriously hope we move up the table and sign him permanently at the end of his loan.

Yes Lens was quiet, Johnson (innocent until proven guilty I know but I will not chant his name just yet) got better in the second half as he became more confident, and Defoe looked like he had a point to prove when he came on.

Yedlin looks to be growing into the RB role and Jones at LB instead of PVA has stabilized the defence.

It wasn't perfect but for one game we actually got the referee calls and breaks which we haven't had at all for the previous 9 matches!

The team as a whole seem to have a better togetherness than the Skunks so even though we might lack some quality at least they play for each other!

Let's see how we do against Everton and hopefully the progress will continue.