David Elliott says…
Sunderland show their attacking flair
Malick Fofana played well and is prepared to get stuck in defensively.
Obviously Jocelin Ta Bi was a real threat and looks to create problems for defenders. His cross for the third goal was excellent.
The fight and spirit were there
The back four did a good solid job against an awkward front line.
For a young, inexperienced side to overcome a tough physical challenge from Brentford has got to be a real positive.
Mixed fortunes for Chemsdine Talbi
For all the supporters who complain about Régis Le Bris’ selections regarding Talbi, perhaps this showed why he doesn’t always
go with him.
Yes he was playing out of position, however he does not defend as well as Nilson Angulo or Fofana. I like him as a player but I can see why he’ll only be a bit-part player.
A touch of inexperience shows at times
Some naivety at times in game management and we need to learn quickly from this experience because better teams than Brentford will punish us.
John Wilson says…
A cavalier Sunderland display
What a swashbuckling, entertaining first half in particular.
So refreshing from a totally changed starting eleven against a strong Brentford side. Everyone was up for it, wanting to stake a claim and show what they are capable of.
Great experience for many of them. A great watch. Uplifting.
Jocelin Ta Bi stakes a claim
Many stand out performances, but take a bow, Ta Bi for me.
A danger all night long, and at least two assists if not all three.
Heartening to see some of the depth that we have.
A slight lack of physicality
To be critical, we did seem a little lightweight.
But for Kevin Danso and Omar Alderete, Brentford did outmuscle us at times, but what we lost in strength, we gained in flair and speed.
A nervy ending
Our young team were a touch naive at the end, and could’ve let the lead slip. Some control and nous was needed, but the final whistle came and rescued the win.
A great showing and a good run out for many youngsters.
Mark Ryan says…
Rotation pays off for Sunderland
It’s fantastic to be able to make eleven changes against a fairly strong side and come out on top, and it’s also a testament to the growth of the club that that eleven was a ‘second team’.
Reaching the quarter-finals of the League Cup and taking seven points from nine in the Europa League shows the club is on the right path.
We need to shore up the Premier League situation, starting on Saturday.
Jocelin Ta Bi shines
He’s such a fun player to watch.
He’s rough defensively, which is probably why Régis Le Bris doesn’t give him more opportunities, but on the attack, he gives defenders fits.
Perhaps Ta Bi, Nilson Angulo, Malick Fofana — hopefully brimming with confidence after a goal and ninety minutes— and Chris Rigg can give the Black Cats the attacking impetus from the wing that’s been lacking.
Brief lapses in concentration prove costly
Both goals coming so late shows a some lack of concentration.
That shouldn’t be surprising, considering we had seven players aged twenty one and under in the starting lineup and there were two teenagers on the pitch when the second goal was scored.
Good learning experience in the end.
A late goalkeeping error
Melker Ellborg’s got to make that last save, but I’m being a little nitpicky, because he played well otherwise.
His first half stop from Sangaré kept it level before our scoring spurt, and he was brave on another big stop in the first half.
Nic Wiseman says…
Sunderland recapture their mojo
As Régis Le Bris said after Leeds, this was the Sunderland of last season.
The drive and determination of the team had RLB’s stamp all over it. A mad 20 minutes in the first half saw us 3-0 up after half an hour.
The youngsters take their chances
Jocelin Ta Bi was a sensation, Malick Fofana looked confident and the team fought well.
At times it was backs-to-the-wall defending.
Brentford were underwhelming and it felt that if they went up a gear, we might be in trouble. But they really didn’t show much and Melker Ellborg had his best game in a Sunderland shirt.
Two poor goals conceded
Defensive lapses, which have been a feature of this season, crept in.
The Bees’ second goal could’ve gone down as an Ellborg error.
Plenty to work on
Confidence is obviously still an issue — Chris Rigg took three touches when he came on when last season he would’ve taken it first time.
I did wonder if it was going to be a hard watch in the second half. But Brentford didn’t seem up for it. A great display against a strong side.
Promising signs.
