Match Thread Sunderland - Coventry City Match Thread - Tuesday 13th May (99 Viewers)

[Ashdown]

These over confident opinions make us look ridiculous and arrogant. We’re in the shit, be realistic . We’ve no fucking strikers right now although Haji is due a better game per his 1/5 record. People saying long balls into their box, …….that will be meat and drink to their defence. Get Wright and EMC to play quite central and play quick balls into their feet and hope they can turn them.

 

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[quinn1971]

These over confident opinions make us look ridiculous and arrogant. We’re in the shit, be realistic . We’ve no fucking strikers right now although Haji is due a better game per his 1/5 record. People saying long balls into their box, …….that will be meat and drink to their defence. Get Wright and EMC to play quite central and play quick balls into their feet and hope they can turn them.

Got his hatrick against them doing that, they Didn’t know what to do, their back fours slower than ours, surely EMC has to start, gives them something else to worry about

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

These over confident opinions make us look ridiculous and arrogant. We’re in the shit, be realistic . We’ve no fucking strikers right now although Haji is due a better game per his 1/5 record. People saying long balls into their box, …….that will be meat and drink to their defence. Get Wright and EMC to play quite central and play quick balls into their feet and hope they can turn them.

We need to relax, we have a second chance on Tuesday. If form was everything, the tie would be done and dusted in our favour.

Thankfully, Lampard’s post-match analysis was v level-headed. As well as Sunderland defended, they know the game didn’t go down that well and relied on luck to come away with the win.

In both games under Lampard, we’ve penned them in their own half and they’ve only created one clear cut chance themselves. They won’t get a gift like MVE’s for the second.

 

[Warwickhunt]

If I were Sunderland boss you'd have to be thinking of just playing the same tactics again. They have a lead so can afford to and we've shown all season we struggle to beat it.

But at the same time because they're at home the fans are likely to get restless at them seemingly inviting pressure all game even though it would seem a sensible thing to do and that could make them be a bit more attacking and open.

With the players we have it's difficult to factor in that flexibility to switch tactics depending on which they go for. If they sit deep I'd definitely play the two strikers, but if we do that then Sakamoto is likely to be ineffective as we'd play a narrower formation. We also need Grimes higher up the pitch if they sit in. It's useless him looking good where the opposition aren't being affected in the slightest. Either way we have to be more urgent and be looking to play the ball in or shoot earlier.

I fear FL doesn't have that flexibility though and we'll line up in the usual 4-3-3 regardless.

Just watched Southampton v Man City and they employed the low block and Man City couldn't crack it so what chance we got? We need someone to carry the ball into the box and they will get fouled.

 

[SkyblueTexan]

What I don't understand is why we insist on crossing the ball all the time. Most of our crosses are easily headed away by Ballard. So we need a different approach. I know we've scored a bazillion goals from headers, but why not mix it up a little and play on the ground more, take shots within range/pounce on rebounds or work yourself into the penalty area where 09 or one of the 7 other defenders is liable to bring you down.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

What I don't understand is why we insist on crossing the ball all the time. Most of our crosses are easily headed away by Ballard. So we need a different approach. I know we've scored a bazillion goals from headers, but why not mix it up a little and play on the ground more, take shots within range/pounce on rebounds or work yourself into the penalty area where 09 or one of the 7 other defenders is liable to bring you down.

How did Rudoni score his goal again?

 

[SkyblueTexan]

I found this very interesting where they said Sunderland will come out aggressively looking for the first goal in the first 20 mins or so to kill the tie. Their fans will be behind them and they will try to put us under a lot of pressure. In a way this might be good for us (as long as we can weather the storm) in that they might be more open and direct and we might be able to exploit more spaces. I think if we can nick the first goal instead of them, this tie could get very interesting. Obviously if they score, we might be dead in the water.

Ep 46 - Sunderland land first blow but Cov not dead yet by That Cov Pod

Simon, John and Jig are back to discuss the 2-1 home defeat to Sunderland in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final. #PUSB

creators.spotify.com

 

[SkyblueTexan]

How did Rudoni score his goal again?

I said to mix things up and not overly rely on crosses alone if you read my entire post. We did score from a cross and header, but that was after so many crosses were thwarted. Why not diversify our mode of attack instead of being so predictable?

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I said to mix things up and not overly rely on crosses alone if you read my entire post. We did score from a cross and header, but that was after so many crosses were thwarted. Why not diversify our mode of attack instead of being so predictable?

It’s hard when a team puts 8 players behind the ball but I’d like to see us take more ranged shots because it can force defences to presses potential shooters and or a parried save causes chaos in the box.

 

[quinn1971]

We have to change something, we’ve lost to Luton Plymouth and derby and drew with hull playing away the same way, like to see 352 but that means making us even more dodgy at the back, the one player who would of made a difference yesterday was torp,

 

[SkyblueTexan]

Might go with Allen instead of Sheaf, but otherwise will agree.

No reason we can’t go a turn it around. Will need to play on the front foot. Maybe start two strikers up front and go direct?

Wilson
MVE - Thomas- Kitching - Dasilva
Sakamoto - Sheaf - Grimes - Rudoni
Simms - Wright

 

[SkyblueTexan]

It’s hard when a team puts 8 players behind the ball but I’d like to see us take more ranged shots because it can force defences to presses potential shooters and or a parried save causes chaos in the box.

Yes, I did say to shoot within range and pounce on rebounds. Their goalie Patterson is a little suspect (not Collins bad, but he's susceptible to errors).

 

[Covkid1968#]

Can’t see any thing other than a hard fought loss….possibly 1-0

 

[quinn1971]

repeat of the 5-4 would be decent, what a game that was, let’s just chuck everything at them, MVE to get the winner

 

[Johhny Blue]

Weve got a horrendous recent record of extra time and pens so I'd rather avoid that

Good job we didn’t have a terrible record against Sunderland!

 

[alexccfc99]

I found this very interesting where they said Sunderland will come out aggressively looking for the first goal in the first 20 mins or so to kill the tie. Their fans will be behind them and they will try to put us under a lot of pressure. In a way this might be good for us (as long as we can weather the storm) in that they might be more open and direct and we might be able to exploit more spaces. I think if we can nick the first goal instead of them, this tie could get very interesting. Obviously if they score, we might be dead in the water.

Ep 46 - Sunderland land first blow but Cov not dead yet by That Cov Pod

Simon, John and Jig are back to discuss the 2-1 home defeat to Sunderland in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final. #PUSB

creators.spotify.com

They battled really well the other night and it was the perfect away performance from them really so fair enough

But playing like that isn't sustainable, on another night and with a few little things falling in our favour we could have scored 2 or 3 goals

I don't think they will want to be inviting us on too much, they know we pose a threat and if you keep inviting pressure it is a risky game to play

I like their goalkeeper mind you

 

[Bernie Rhodes Nose]

It's only one goal but I think there's concern that going into the 2nd leg with a lead they can do exactly the same game plan as they did last night.

I hope they do. We just need to nove the ball quicker.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Think there’s a lot of coping and hoping in this thread.

 

[alexccfc99]

Think there’s a lot of coping and hoping in this thread.

Not really

For what it’s worth, I think we will draw 1-1 with us going 1 nil down, getting a goal on the 70th odd minute and having a late and valiant but ultimately unsuccessful rally, that’s just my hunch

But the defeatism is a little bit over the top, I think we can do it but I don’t think we will

 

[tom88]

I still have a feeling we will turn it around and score 2 or 3

 

[Torquay Sky Blue]

I think their keepers decent but flaps a bit at crosses. If only Simms and Wright could head a ball like Rudoni

 

[clint van damme]

Woke up this morning starting to feel a bit more optimistic about our chances
It's the hope that kills you!

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I think we can do it but I don’t think we will

Which is where I am. Going there level I’d even fancy us if anything, but there’s a reason why we’ve only won once when conceding first this season under FL.

 

[Great_Expectations]

Feels very Mike Bassett, but I’d go 4-4-2.

It’s a bit of a waste of Rudoni, but if we’re so poor against a low block we need to try something different.

So I would play direct with Simms and Wright up front. Everyone knows how poor O’Nien is, give him something to worry about all game.

Sakamoto and Rudoni are both good crossers, and MVE/JDS aren’t bad either.

Their keeper also looks panicked under pressure.

So I’m not opposed to anti-football, pepper the box, long, quick ball forwards to get their defenders on the turn which can lead to mistakes or at least gain yards that way for long throws into the box.

We aren’t breaking them down, so let’s adapt.

 

[clint van damme]

Feels very Mike Bassett, but I’d go 4-4-2.

It’s a bit of a waste of Rudoni, but if we’re so poor against a low block we need to try something different.

So I would play direct with Simms and Wright up front. Everyone knows how poor O’Nien is, give him something to worry about all game.

Sakamoto and Rudoni are both good crossers, and MVE/JDS aren’t bad either.

Their keeper also looks panicked under pressure.

So I’m not opposed to anti-football, pepper the box, long, quick ball forwards to get their defenders on the turn which can lead to mistakes or at least gain yards that way for long throws into the box.

We aren’t breaking them down, so let’s adapt.

We need to do something different than we've done away in the last couple of months, that's for sure.
But I'm starting to get 1997 vibes, and the task in hand Tuesday isn't as difficult as 97

 

[duffer]

Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, isn't it?

Personally, I'd be amazed if Sunderland don't set up in exactly the same way. Low block, quick counter attack, plenty of time wasting and trying to break the game up. Their fans won't 'demand' anything different, they want to get to Wembley, and they're half way there.

Everyone in football knows that we struggle against this kind of set up, that we're ponderous in possession, and that we play a high line with only one defender with genuine pace. It's a curious mix of tedium and terror, watching us sometimes!

We might still win, and I'd love us to win; pure dumb luck and silly mistakes are always a factor in football. However, if we go out with the same approach, it's hard to see us getting more than a draw, imho. Like most others, I'm hoping FL has a better plan than more of the same...

One last thought, there's some bitter humour in players raging at the ref for opposition time-wasting, when they've spent a third of the game knocking it around between themselves or going backwards under no pressure. This isn't unique to us, btw...

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, isn't it?

Personally, I'd be amazed if Sunderland don't set up in exactly the same way. Low block, quick counter attack, plenty of time wasting and trying to break the game up. Their fans won't 'demand' anything different, they want to get to Wembley, and they're half way there.

Everyone in football knows that we struggle against this kind of set up, that we're ponderous in possession, and that we play a high line with only one defender with genuine pace. It's a curious mix of tedium and terror, watching us sometimes!

We might still win, and I'd love us to win; pure dumb luck and silly mistakes are always a factor in football. However, if we go out with the same approach, it's hard to see us getting more than a draw, imho. Like most others, I'm hoping FL has a better plan than more of the same...

One last thought, there's some bitter humour in players raging at the ref for opposition time-wasting, when they've spent a third of the game knocking it around between themselves or going backwards under no pressure. This isn't unique to us, btw...

It’s a way of playing that’s going out of fashion. Hanging onto possession for possession’s sake, not doing anything with it then getting countered.

 

[MTK]

I believe we can win this game. We have the players to do it and the team spirit too. I think the players will want to win for Milan, so the impact of his mistake on Friday night can be forgotten. Big believer in this sort of motivation.

 

[duffer]

Feels very Mike Bassett, but I’d go 4-4-2.

It’s a bit of a waste of Rudoni, but if we’re so poor against a low block we need to try something different.

So I would play direct with Simms and Wright up front. Everyone knows how poor O’Nien is, give him something to worry about all game.

Sakamoto and Rudoni are both good crossers, and MVE/JDS aren’t bad either.

Their keeper also looks panicked under pressure.

So I’m not opposed to anti-football, pepper the box, long, quick ball forwards to get their defenders on the turn which can lead to mistakes or at least gain yards that way for long throws into the box.

We aren’t breaking them down, so let’s adapt.

Nothing I'd argue with here, except that to me "anti-football" is this idea that possession is all that matters.

There's literally nothing more anti-football to me, than having possession of the ball in the opposition third, and it somehow ending up with it being passed back to your centre half or even goalkeeper! That kills me. It's not just us that do it, obviously...

 

[clint van damme]

It’s a way of playing that’s going out of fashion. Hanging onto possession for possession’s sake, not doing anything with it then getting countered.

Pep has said its not as effective any more and Man City need to change.

 

[Briles]

Nothing I'd argue with here, except that to me "anti-football" is this idea that possession is all that matters.

There's literally nothing more anti-football to me, than having possession of the ball in the opposition third, and it somehow ending up with it being passed back to your centre half or even goalkeeper! That kills me. It's not just us that do it, obviously...

Problem is if you give the ball away you give it away for a while. We only have one pleayer really who can beat a man. Otherwise it's pass pass pass I'm afraid

 

[quinn1971]

Nothing I'd argue with here, except that to me "anti-football" is this idea that possession is all that matters.

There's literally nothing more anti-football to me, than having possession of the ball in the opposition third, and it somehow ending up with it being passed back to your centre half or even goalkeeper! That kills me. It's not just us that do it, obviously...,

even if we don’t gift them the 2nd goal and we were going there 1-1 it‘ll still be the same game , they’ll just defend again, we just need to do the same again,eveyone saying how well they defended ? They were awful for our goal, totally switched off, and they will again, we just need to be a bit better with balls into the box, bit More quality and we’ll be fine, they’ll be that worried about picking up rudoni on crosses somebody else will score, it’ll be some effort but why not

 

[Briles]

even if we don’t gift them the 2nd goal and we were going there 1-1 it‘ll still be the same game , they’ll just defend again, we just need to do the same again,eveyone saying how well they defended ? They were awful for our goal, totally switched off, and they will again, we just need to be a bit better with balls into the box, bit More quality and we’ll be fine, they’ll be that worried about picking up rudoni on crosses somebody else will score, it’ll be some effort but why not

I agree, I wasn't unhappy with our performance. As Lampard said on another day we win that comfortably. Same again Tuesday but just more urgency

 

[David O'Day]

How did Rudoni score his goal again?

I swear our Texan friend doesn't actually watch the games.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Think there’s a lot of coping and hoping in this thread.

As per every footie forum worldwide