Sunderland v Everton. 9th Nov at 13.30.

[Andy C]

It's ludicrous to write the season off this early. We've got far too much about us to be so pessimistic.

I don't think anyone is writing the season off - but unless we get going soon - then we will end up mid table at best. We are over a quarter of the way in now, and we can't seem to get anything going. We have a real opportunity here as the rest of the traditional challengers are also stuttering - which makes our lack of urgency all the more frustrating.

 

[mrb85]

The problems are quite evident. The team is unbalanced with Martinez trying to fit too many similar players in positions they're not effective in, and we making loads of changes to accommodate the extra games. When you throw in a couple of key injuries, an out of form main striker and Thursday night games taking their toll (Spurs got beat at home to Stoke today) you have a really shitty Everton soup.

I'm pleased we have a two week break now. And apologies Ireland, you'll probably not have James McCarthy for the Scotland game.

What are all these 'extra games'? If we weren't in the EL we'd have been playing more games in the League Cup instead (hopefully). And it's not so much a case of having 'to accommodate the extra games' as trying to accommodate the extra players we now have on the books. And as for the Thursday night game taking its toll, do me a favour -- we played at home, in second gear throughout, at walking pace throughout, against a League One standard opposition.

 

[Sunderland afc]

Just seen it back and it's a pen.

So would like to say sorry to the ref for calling him a [Poor language removed]

 

[Bluerifleman]

How about the lack of league Cup games then? And haven't all other teams had lots of injuries? These sort of excuses just don't hold water mate.

Thing is mate in some cases they do. We went to old Trafford a few weeks back with 4 of our best players from last season on the sidelines. And yes other teams have had injuries which explains why the likes of liverpool, us, utd and arsenal aren't doing as well as expected

 

[Haston]

Just seen it back and it's a pen.

So would like to say sorry to the ref for calling him a [Poor language removed]

He was a [poor language removed]

 

[N.S.N.O.]

We'll be fine, we're close to clicking. The next period is massive for us.

Luckily everyone else has started slow minus Chelsea and Saints, but that makes it a bit more fustrating!

bit worried about the gap Southampton have opened up on us (11 points)....4th spot is definitely up for grabs again this season, don't see why we can't finish above Liverpool spurs & United...but the saints are really giving themselves a chance of competing for top 4 (they have money to spend too I think in January)....

 

[Bluerifleman]

I don't think anyone is writing the season off - but unless we get going soon - then we will end up mid table at best. We are over a quarter of the way in now, and we can't seem to get anything going. We have a real opportunity here as the rest of the traditional challengers are also stuttering - which makes our lack of urgency all the more frustrating.

I do agree with you it's frustrating but look at some of the comments in here, some people in their fickle narrow minded ways have done exactly that. There are some nutters on here lol

 

[chicoazul]

What are all these 'extra games'? If we weren't in the EL we'd have been playing more games in the League Cup instead (hopefully). And it's not so much a case of having 'to accommodate the extra games' as trying to accommodate the extra players we now have on the books. And as for the Thursday night game taking its toll, do me a favour -- we played at home, in second gear throughout, at walking pace throughout, against a League One standard opposition.

Since when have we had a run in the League Cup? Six extra games that we didnt have last year and three of them with travel much further than we would in any domestic up.

Not that I think its much of an excuse like, but you said about doing you a favour. For what?

 

[marty mcfly]

I think it's got more to do with the 13:30 sunday kickoff especially away from home.

But we aren't playing well enough too.

 

[mrb85]

The usual massive negative over reaction on here to an away point in the best league in the world, on a weekend when Spurs have lost at home, Liverpool have come unstuck, City have dropped points...all against opposition they should have beaten. Any success this season, thats a cup or top 4 or 5 will be a bonus, just like getting EL was a bonus last season. We are very early into a long term Martinez project, and are currently making do with players who are either past their best days, injury prone, over achieving, or are yet to realise their anticipated potential . In a couple of seasons...or even after Christmas 2015, Distin and Alkaraz,Osman, Peinnar,Gibson and possibly Jagielka and Barry will be gone, or fringe players,and Coleman, Barkley, Stones, Besic, Lukaku, McCarthy and possibly McGeady will be better than they are now, and Mirallas, Naismith and Oviedo will still be around, hopefully. We are a long way from Martinez finished article. We need good signings in the next three windows, and this will be done gradually. Its a case for Martinez of doing what you can now, and being better eventually. In around 18 months we will see a fully fledged Martinez team. That will be the time to judge.

I'd suggest the reason for all the negativity on here is precisely because everyone else again dropped points. You point out that we are currently 'making do with players who are either past their best days' which begs the question as to why some of them weren't sold on and replaced.

I don't agree that the time to judge the manager is only when the project time, in 18 months, is complete. It is also valid to criticise the transition if you feel certain aspects of it could be handled better, and clearly many think it could. In any event how many football 'projects' ever go the distance?

 

[blue4eva77]

I think it's got more to do with the 13:30 sunday kickoff especially away from home.

But we aren't playing well enough too.

Yeah mate. Those clocks going back have really threw a spanner in the works on the way we play. Speaking of spanners....

 

[marty mcfly]

W


What's it obstruction from? He shielded the ball.

You can't lie on it. The same way as you can't put it between your legs when you are on the ground.

 

[diggerdestroyer]

Same story in most matches this season in the league. We seem to be content to pass the ball with no urgency in the final 3rd. A lack of urgency until most of the game has slipped by, or we go behind. A lack of the ability to make a killer pass or even attempt to. The game seems to float by us until 15 mins to go. Nearly getting bored watching our league games compared to the gun ho efforts of last season where at least we were exciting to watch no matter the result. Dissapointed but nearly expected it today. They won't be selling many of those half season tickets. The season is not over but unless these strange tactics start working soon it will be a mid table season.

 

[mrb85]

We played for a point !!!! Deary me fella.
Only one team wanted to win that today....Us.
Yes we were leggy after thursday.
Lost our main man after 10 mins.
Referee absolutely bottled it...should have been playing agst 9 men.
You just revel in this negative crap, turn the record over lad.People like you cant wait to stick the knife in at any given opportunity
go take up cricket....we dont need you around this club.

'Leggy after Thursday'......behave. A team could play at that pace and agaist the level of opposition provided by Lille every day of the week and not get 'leggy'.

 

[blue4eva77]

Just seen it back and it's a pen.

So would like to say sorry to the ref for calling him a [Poor language removed]

Hi mate.

You must be worried as a Sunderland fan. I would be if I was. You only look like scoring from set pieces on a whole. I thought we were at anfield for most of that 2nd half with the amount of booing from ' correct ' decisions from the ref. Screaming every 2 minutes, embarrassing.

That verghini fella is a bit pants isnt he ? Very poor I thought. Did he win goal of the month for October or what ?