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Dear Roker Report,
Really happy with our start, regardless of the two defeats, and it’s nice to hear all the positivity about the Lads and the pure pleasure of supporting a good Premier League team.
The break will do us good,
and then we start again! Not much detail in my letter I know, but I’m a very happy Sunderland fan because I think we’ll only get better.
Tell Chris Sutton to keep knocking us down so we can keep proving him wrong!
Keep the faith — FTM and ‘Til the end always.
John Robson
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, John. Thank you for your letter.
I think the latest international break has come at a useful time for Sunderland and although it was disappointing to wrap up our latest round of league games with a loss, I feel there’s far more to be positive than negative about, and I didn’t see our loss at Old Trafford as a calamity — not least because we responded encouragingly at 2-0 down and continued to try and find a way back into the game.
Everyone — fans, coaches and non-internationally capped players alike — can hopefully use the pause in league action as a chance to recharge and take stock ahead of the next league game against Wolves, and I’m sure Régis Le Bris will be looking at areas for potential improvement as well.
Lots to look forward to!
Dear Roker Report,
The international break has probably come at the right time for Sunderland and driving back from Old Trafford on Saturday, there was a tinge of frustration along with the realisation that I still don’t believe Régis Le Bris knows his preferred or best starting eleven.
It shows up in the away fixtures — although, to the players’ credit, in four games away, we have two clean sheets and four points but only one goal. The squad as we know was overhauled in the summer, and some have yet to find their feet fully in a tough league, but the signs in the main are promising.
It’s very much a learning curve for all and for the first time this season at Old Trafford, we tactically got it wrong, which cost us the game.
The break will allow a good assessment for the club on how to approach Wolves and the upcoming fixtures.
We have a lot to be positive about as fans. Ha’way the lads!
Mark
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Mark. Thank you for getting in touch.
Although I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Régis Le Bris doesn’t know his best starting eleven, I would agree that he didn’t quite get things right against Manchester United and in his defence, he offered a very classy and well-thought out response after the game, which was to his credit.
For Le Bris and the majority of the players, every game is a learning experience and a chance to find out what works and what doesn’t.
Of course, we won’t get it right all the time, but as long as we ensure that mistakes don’t become habitual and the players retain their focus, losses need not be disastrous — and the Lads have already shown that they’re capable of bouncing back from disappointing results.
