SUNDERLAND THREAD

[northbank123]

Job done. They were awful and the biggest thing for teams outside the top 6 or 7 coming to us is to keep it tight for the first 15 minutes or so. We generally tend to start well and then settle down after 15 or 20 minutes and if the away team can see off that barrage they can grow into the game and look to pose a threat on the counter as the team and crowd get frustrated.

We weren't even remotely challenged but it was still brilliant to have the game tied up by half time.

[clockender1]

That was our first goal in a first half for ten games.

I agree with Marky , the 9out of 10 times tippy tappy doesn't work is boring. Barcelona are the same.

We miss pace. That's why our record against the top four is shite.

[markyp]

great to win,great to see Pod playing,i don't want to sound like im moaning even when we win but this pedestrian tippy tappy is absolute bollox,its so boring to watch,ive had enough of it

Yeah possession football is definitely annoying, we really need to start playing that long ball style

we need pace and power,not yawn yawn shit,its BORING!!!

[g88ner]

That was our first goal in a first half for ten games.

I agree with Marky , the 9out of 10 times tippy tappy doesn't work is boring. Barcelona are the same.

We miss pace. That's why our record against the top four is shite.

Yes, we clearly miss pace.

Obviously, having a striker with pace helps but it is such a pity that Theo and Ox have missed so much of the season. I guess Wenger earmarked those 2 to bring pace to the side - especially Theo, whose runs in behind have been sorely missed by Ozil and co.

[Midz]

Don't you think it'd be better to have more than one player who can make runs in behind though?

[BournemouthRED]

we won, there was beer.

[northbank123]

That was our first goal in a first half for ten games.

I agree with Marky , the 9out of 10 times tippy tappy doesn't work is boring. Barcelona are the same.

We miss pace. That's why our record against the top four is shite.

Yes, we clearly miss pace.

Obviously, having a striker with pace helps but it is such a pity that Theo and Ox have missed so much of the season. I guess Wenger earmarked those 2 to bring pace to the side - especially Theo, whose runs in behind have been sorely missed by Ozil and co.

We do miss Walcott and he does possess great pace (and a genuine option in behind/stretching the game) but I wouldn't say he brings pace to our game. Might be splitting hairs but he doesn't really offer anything in terms of tempo as he doesn't contribute much to build up and when he does he is often hesitant and indecisive when faced with a defender or two in his grill.

Oxlade-Chamberlain on the other hand offers pace but the tempo he brings to the game is more important imo - he's actually willing to pick up the ball and drive into open spaces. Rosicky is not particularly quick but brings a lot of tempo to our game.

[falkirk goon]

A wins a win 3pts and a few goals.goodstuff.

[clockender1]

The presence of Walcott always made the oppos backs play a little deeper which would give us more space between the two lines of four, and so with more space we'd play it forward quicker and more direct.

We also miss Ramsey who would move it forward quicker too .

Our injury record is shocking still.

[Yankee_Gooner_Dandee]

Rosicky should start every game. We play faster with him in the team. Ox as well.

[g88ner]

That was our first goal in a first half for ten games.

I agree with Marky , the 9out of 10 times tippy tappy doesn't work is boring. Barcelona are the same.

We miss pace. That's why our record against the top four is shite.

Yes, we clearly miss pace.

Obviously, having a striker with pace helps but it is such a pity that Theo and Ox have missed so much of the season. I guess Wenger earmarked those 2 to bring pace to the side - especially Theo, whose runs in behind have been sorely missed by Ozil and co.

We do miss Walcott and he does possess great pace (and a genuine option in behind/stretching the game) but I wouldn't say he brings pace to our game. Might be splitting hairs but he doesn't really offer anything in terms of tempo as he doesn't contribute much to build up and when he does he is often hesitant and indecisive when faced with a defender or two in his grill.

Oxlade-Chamberlain on the other hand offers pace but the tempo he brings to the game is more important imo - he's actually willing to pick up the ball and drive into open spaces. Rosicky is not particularly quick but brings a lot of tempo to our game.

You're splitting your own hairs, and I'm not sure there's any need - after all, you go on to define it much better when you talk about the difference between pace and tempo.

Anyway, as I said above, I was talking about missing Theo's pace as (you rightly say) it offers an option in behind/stretching the game.

Tempo is obviously hugely important though. In fact, more important than pace. Although both in tandem can be frightening (evidenced by the first 20 mins mauling at Anfield )

[Happy Talk]

Someone said 'flat track bullies', and I agree that's the case. Good job we are, others this year have struggled against these sort of teams, Man Utd that means you. Tip-tap won the day today against a poor side, so it should!

It's a good win, we saw the statue to Bergkamp, that's great. Despite his goals today if there was ever a statue to Giroud it would be with his head in hands having narrowly failed again to connect with a cross!

Fuck just watching MOTD to see 'JT' bundle one in.

[QuartzGooner]

Theo brings pace and forces the issue, he can get to the byline and cut it back which forces the midfielders to move forward and simply "get on with it".
But in terms of what might be called "Tempo" then I think Ramsey is key, his forward runs from midfield provide a direct alternative to tippy tappy.

In their absence The Ox, Rosicky and Gnabry can bring these qualities, Podolski brings directness.

[northbank123]

Someone said 'flat track bullies', and I agree that's the case. Good job we are, others this year have struggled against these sort of teams, Man Utd that means you. Tip-tap won the day today against a poor side, so it should!

It's a good win, we saw the statue to Bergkamp, that's great. Despite his goals today if there was ever a statue to Giroud it would be with his head in hands having narrowly failed again to connect with a cross!

Fuck just watching MOTD to see 'JT' bundle one in.

Today was the equivalent of racking up 600 in the first innings on a flat wicket against Bangladesh at Taunton. Unfortunately we get completely overwhelmed by the likes of Ambrose and Walsh on a volatile Sabina Park pitch and we're easy pickings for crafty Aussie bastards in a five-Test Ashes series.

[Chippy]

Someone said 'flat track bullies', and I agree that's the case. Good job we are, others this year have struggled against these sort of teams, Man Utd that means you. Tip-tap won the day today against a poor side, so it should!

It's a good win, we saw the statue to Bergkamp, that's great. Despite his goals today if there was ever a statue to Giroud it would be with his head in hands having narrowly failed again to connect with a cross!

Fuck just watching MOTD to see 'JT' bundle one in.

Today was the equivalent of racking up 600 in the first innings on a flat wicket against Bangladesh at Taunton. Unfortunately we get completely overwhelmed by the likes of Ambrose and Walsh on a volatile Sabina Park pitch and we're easy pickings for crafty Aussie bastards in a five-Test Ashes series.

Does anybody know what he's talking about? Is it in Welsh?