Prior to kick off on Friday night, our record read as one defeat in ten, and now, after our loss at Bramall Lane, our run is is now described as no wins in six. It’s amazing how one result can alter and impact perceptions so much, isn’t it?
I thought the performance was there on Friday night. We went away to one of the best sides in the division, and should have won the game. We dominated the first half, and a lot of the second, but despite our huffing and puffing, we couldn’t find a way to break the deadlock. Similarly to the West Brom game, we lacked a cutting edge in the final third and in particular, in and around Sheffield United’s penalty area.
Once again our set pieces were under par to say the least. Quite frankly, at the moment we don’t look like scoring from one, and it is becoming a real concern. If memory serves me right, I think four different players took a corner on Friday night too, which speaks volumes. It’s an area we certainly need to improve upon. Fine margins will get you up and out of this league, and set pieces can be a vital gateway in turning no points into one, and one point into three.
I noticed after the game, that there were one or two knives out on social media for Patrick Roberts. Anyone who has read this blog for long enough will know what I think of him as a footballer, and let’s face it, any player can miss a penalty. That said, he simply wasn’t in the game enough in the second half. Both Roberts and Tommy Watson, who I thought had a great game, hugged both touchlines and looked to stretch the pitch in the second half. The ball itself however, often found itself making its way over to Watson on the left, rather than to Roberts on the right. We all know what Paddy possesses in terms of ability, that has absolutely never been in question. What we do need to see is more consistency in his play. He needs to find that spark, because when he’s at it, there is no better winger in the division. I still think Sunderland are a better team with Patrick Roberts in it, rather than warming the bench. It is a conundrum that RLB needs to solve, and solve sooner rather than later.
One big thing that frustrated me on Friday night, probably for the first time under RLB, was his substitutions. When a team is reduced to ten men, you have to be reactive. RLB’s reactive decision was to utilise Dan Neil as a makeshift centre-half, rather than use personnel from his bench, a bench that contained three defenders. At the time, it was a head scratcher for me. To be honest it still is. RLB stated when he first took over the job, that he prefers to turn to his bench later on in games than is considered by most as the norm. We made our first change in the 77th minute of the match.
Had Harry Souttar not been given his marching orders a mere five minutes after Chris Mepham’s own red card, it would have been interesting to see how our shape and personnel would have handled what may well have become an eleven on ten men onslaught. We will never know. It’s clear some players are on borrowed time on Wearside, and I was hugely surprised Adil Aouchiche made an appearance on Friday, especially over Milan Aleksic. One is the future of SAFC, and one looks to be heading out the exit door.
I don’t expect too many changes to the starting XI when Stoke City head north for an early kick off on Saturday, other than enforced ones. It will be interesting to see whether Dennis Cirkin is available. We have missed him badly since his injury. Not only defensively, but also his dynamism in attacking areas. He has been a vital cog in Sunderland's machine this season.
All in all though, it is certainly not complete doom and gloom. It doesn't feel that way at all, and the reception the players received at full time on Friday shows exactly what page most of our support is on. Our form hasn’t fell off a cliff and we are still playing well. We just need it all to click in the final third. We will be more than alright, we have a good side and we have shown that in abundance this season. We should be proud of our young team.
One other thing I took away from Friday was this; there was a break in play as Tommy Watson came over to take a second half corner. To his left, Chris Rigg stood next to him to offer the option of a short one. As I stood in the away end, a sudden realisation came over me just how young this team is. Watson and Rigg have a combined age of 35. That makes you feel old, doesn’t it? Well, some of us anyway!
Keep the faith.
