Lush Vlad

Surprised at no changes at HT. I mean, I’m not. As Howe often sends the same XI back out. But could have subbed 4-5 of them.

Had a bit of control for a change. Without creating anything of note. When we get up to halfway and the game breaks up a bit. We look ok. Dubs has kept us in it, mind. But we are awful building from the back. It’s a recurring theme. But the opposition plonk 2-3 players around Bruno and we look clueless. We go back to front all the while and it’s predictable as fuck. Movement, first touch and passing is just a bit off and we seem sluggish. Improve on that next half and I think we’ll score a couple.

I’m assuming it has been asked 20 times already. But if he gets a 10th yellow tonight. I’m assuming that sees him banned? I know the League Cup was different with the yellow card suspensions (I think?). But I’m sure I read this game counts.

I thought similar. But we’ve been saying for weeks, months, even. That Miley is playing too much football. Anderson and Willock are back now. Big IF. But if they can stay fit. Then Longstaff won’t be getting too many more starts if he keeps playing like he has of late. I thought Gordon might have got a rest. He runs himself into the ground every week and this felt like a perfect game for Barnes. Either way. At least we’re going with a strong team. Unlike so many of Howe’s predecessors.

Nice to finally have some options on the bench. Pope and Targett still to come back this season and hopefully Botman won’t be out long, as well…….

If he’s injured and it’s his knee again. It’s shit news. But it also could be a positive long term that he’ll get back to how he was last season and the start of this. Been so far off his usual level it’s been a bit concerning.

Bang on, this. We get net spend, or just money spent in general chucked at us all the while. But the cupboards were left bare. Most fans will rightly point to the low base we were building from and how neglected the squad was. It’s not comparable to most other decent’ish Prem teams. We still have loads of bang average to shite players. On big wages, who were past it years ago. Who were we supposed to sell to bring money in after the takeover, exactly? Bournemouth would have had it far worse and all.

I know it gets mentioned a lot. But the fact that we have so many cult heroes, along with genuine options as stars and heroes from the past. Whilst they seem to idolise 4-5 players. None of which are very good in the grand scheme of things. I’m sure big clubs could say similar about us. But the gap in class between the club legends is gigantic.

Why is Kevin Ball always the answer for everything with sunderland fans

was just about to post that. Just gets better and better. Baldy rambling on like a genuine lunatic. Angry matey just shouting out of shot. Then he gets his 30 seconds of fame. Listing absolute cloggers and going on about soldiers in Afghan Absolutely done me

I might start using that one

Agree with this. There were a few times on Saturday where it seemed like we were reluctant to put a challenge in, commit to the shirt pull or trip. At times, we even pulled out of tackles. Arsenal were the polar opposite and stopped quite a few of our rare counters in their tracks with tactical fouls. This isn't a new thing from us, either. We've been soft and noticeably nicer all season. We need to return to being dickheads. Gordon, Bruno and Joelinton should be giving them all shithouse coaching at least once a week.

See. I’d say you’re underestimating what he brings to the team, though. He’s clearly miles better than Dubs. Especially for how we play. But it’s also daft to just look at Pope v Dubravka in isolation. It’s all hypothetical, of course. Nobody has a fucking clue if we would have been better or worse off.

Think he’s regularly used ‘Spursy’ as a negative comment aimed towards your team. Not as bad as this. But in the same ball park.

Good. Fuck Chelsea. Been really impressed with the Liverpool youngsters. McConnell in particular.

Kind of pleased we have a game again so soon after that shitshow. It’s better for the squad with one game a week and we would often have two bad results, anyway. But I have missed Europe and the other times we had two games a week.

Bradley getting a yellow. Because Chilwell grabbed him by the scruff and then pushed him I cannot stand Chelsea.

Everyone was desperate to get rid of Tyler. He was awful towards the end. But this is as bad for different reasons.

Idea for a drinking game. Every time Drury says ‘AND’ before a player’s name. You have to do a shot/2 fingers of your drink. You’d be wankered by half time.

I feel bad slating him. As he might be yet another one of our players, that is playing through injury. But after a decent start this season. He has been pretty shite since coming back from….. oh yes. Injury. Last night was woeful. Seemed lazy with his tracking and Colback’esque attempts at tackles. Made some good off the ball runs, as always. But never seems to be available for the ball when it mattered and he is so limited when he does get it. I’m sure he used to be quite physical and actually get about the pitch making an impact last season? Which is why I feel like he isn’t fully fit. Either way. I wouldn’t want him playing many games next season. Would happily move him on if we could get say 10-15m for him somehow.

I thought he looked poor, TBH. The defending was clown show stuff. But I thought he was shite for the 3rd and 4th goals (along with various outfield players). Was hoping to see a bit more. As until Pope is back. We are going to keep getting done in behind with Dubravka in nets. Harsh that Karius’ two games have been a cup final and this mauling. But not sure you can play him ahead of Dubravka based on that.

Wasn’t it his ACL, though? Quite a long recovery if he’s having that as an op. Guessing it might mean a graft to replace the damaged ligament. Which is usually 6-9 months for a footballer, isn’t it? I’m assuming because of his age and it not being ruptured, more just damaged/badly sprained (no idea here BTW). They settled on not going for the op. Terrible from our medical team to miss it in the first place and have him play two more games. Worse still if he ended up needing an operation after all this.

It wasn’t my post. I read it more as the injuries have just fucked us this season. I don’t put it all down to Pope, Joe and Wilson either, TBF

Botman has missed loads of the season. Then looked miles off it and not fully fit since returning. Isak has been in and out the team injured and barely able to break into a sprint all season. Isn’t the point that too many of our top players and at least rotational options. Haven’t been available enough?