David Elliott says…
Nilson Angulo and Malick Fofana do their bit
Both wingers put in a decent shift and showed some good touches and movement but they’re very isolated and with little support, so are faced with two defenders all the time.
Wilson Isidor’s return
Isidor looked back to fitness and is always prepared to have a go at goal.
A lack of dynamism from Sunderland
We refuse to be dynamic with our passing. Players are making runs into the channels but either they are not spotted or the team lacks the confidence to play the forward ball
We aren’t brave enough in our passing; not enough movement off the ball to create
space and therefore we’re very predictable.
And finally…
As a general comment, the officiating was shocking again.
Jon Guy says…
A better second half for Sunderland
We came out like a different team in the second half, but we’re still a world away from the way we played in that first half against Brentford in September, which has to be our benchmark.
The wingers were decent
Nilson Angulo and Malick Fofana put a shift in but too many times the balls to give them a chance to take on the full back simply didn’t materialise quickly enough.
What a woeful first half
We simply looked awful.
No confidence no ambition and no-one willing to take the game to a mediocre Dinamo side. We played like robots and weren’t willing or able to try anything different.
There are massive question marks as to where we go from here.
No cutting edge
We simply don’ look like scoring.
Other than Wilson Isidor’s disallowed effort, we didn’t really test the goalkeeper. Given the talent we have in the squad we should be making and converting a lot more chances.
Something really needs to change — and fast.
Owen Sara says…
Malick Fofana looked OK
He at least looked like he wanted to make something happen.
Jules Ahoka plays a starring role
He almost got another goal and it was baffling as to why he came off at half time.
We really have an absolute gem on our hands here.
Where’s the fight gone?
Last season, we were renowned for being so hard to play against — dogged determined physical monsters. That has somehow completely disappeared.
We look a shadow of ourselves and don’t even look up for any sort of fight.
Set piece embarrassment
We haven’t been a set piece team for a few seasons, but you’d at least think a new set piece coach would at least give us something, but no.
Our set pieces are an embarrassment. We never leave anybody on the halfway line for a counter, and yet everyone is packed into the six-yard box anyway, which is just asking for trouble.
That led to us conceding a carbon copy of the goal we conceded against Lech Poznan.
Tom Albrighton says…
A gutless Sunderland performance
Another abhorrent display, devoid of character from players who have clearly thrown the towel in.
For all the talk this week of being 100% behind their manager these players have a funny way of showing it.
Tactical ineptitude
Looking for (another) reaction and another game where you could see what was coming after ten minutes.
Régis Le Bris has clearly run out of ideas and on this showing, the support of his players.
Stupidity from the Lads
That’s the only word I can think of to describe our play.
Whether it’s getting our wingers constantly doubled up on, attempting the same free kick routine several times despite it never coming close to working or trying another long throw despite our last goal from one coming away at Chelsea last season, all we do is make things hard for ourselves.
The gaffer
I’m sorry, but it’s time.
Will Patterson says…
Reinildo’s display
On a night where there are few positives to take, I’d like to highlight Reinildo.
Although I don’t believe Dayann Methalie was trusted with the license to display his best attributes, there was a marked change when Reinildo stepped on the pitch. His decision-making, his forward runs and his positioning gave Sunderland far more threat in the second half.
I’m not sure he gets his praises, so on a night where few will, I’d like to give him a shout out.
Jules Ahoka shows his promise
Whilst I’m not sure he had his best game, whenever I see Ahoka play, I see elements of a player that’ll truly become a serious force in world football.
His touch, his physicality, his special awareness…the boy is going to be class.
Sunderland’s attack misfires again
The best analogy I have for how we played in the first half is that we looked like a previously-abused rescue dog.
Runs, space and movements were made by players in our forward line; but for some reason none were taken advantage of. The players seem to be more comfortable avoiding a mistake than attempting the correct decision.
Régis Le Bris feels the heat
Oh, Régis, I love you. I really love you. But something ain’t right.
An ex of mine once told me she didn’t think we should be together anymore, I really couldn’t handle that so we had a break for a bit — Le Bris and Sunderland are on that break at the minute.
Anyway, she broke up with me. The signs are there, the dice have been rolled and we are where we are.
