Calum Mills says…
Breaking the “curse of the third kit”!
For fifty five to sixty minutes of the game, we were the better side.
I thought hitting the bar early on in the second half was a sign of things to come, but not long after that we dropped off — but we finally got a point in a sexy third kit so the hoodoo is gone!
Another gritty clean sheet
On top of the point, we kept a clean sheet.
I thought Omar Alderete was superb, and back-to-back clean sheets bodes well for our next game at home against Leeds!
Sunderland are slightly wasteful on the wings
I don’t think we did enough on either wing.
Simon Adingra would get on the ball,
drive forward brilliantly and then just overplay the ball. Similarly, Enzo Le Fée or Chris Rigg would try to be too clever with a flick or reverse pass to nobody.
Romaine Mundle showed some promise but when he had the chance to shoot after cutting inside beating his man, he looked to play Wilson Isidor — and he’d ran in the opposite direction that actually created the space for him to shoot!
Anyway, on to Leeds. Haway the lads!
Ciaran McKenna says…
Sunderland’s squad players make a good impression
I was glad to see that the lads who came into the team didn’t look too out of place.
Trai Hume was solid at left back (as we all knew he would be) and Lutsharel Geertruida was excellent — probably my man of the match. He was strong, composed, hardworking, and made the correct decision almost every time. Simon Adingra and Chris Rigg were wasteful at times but still posed a threat and deserved a chance after not getting much time recently.
Also, a shout out to Habib Diarra. It was great to see him back out there and despite being out of position on the right wing, he looked dynamic and dangerous.
A great point!
I’d take a point all day there.
Brighton are a good side and were unbeaten at the Amex until recently. During the first half, they were poor, but in the second half they improved and we defended resolutely.
Omar Alderete and Dan Ballard were colossal once again; Robin Roefs was assured throughout, and ultimately, we deserved the point.
Frustration for Wilson Isidor
I understand that Isidor came on in the latter stages of the game when we were in a much more defensive stage of play, but we looked much more dangerous with Brian Brobbey on the pitch.
He held up the play excellently, linking up with the midfield and wingers well and was key in creating any chances we had.
I’m not criticising Isidor as he didn’t have much to work with, but it was a bit frustrating to see our striker not able to provide anything up front.
Malc Dugdale says…
A strong first half away from home
The Lads were awesome in the first half.
At times, we can be slow out of the blocks and we should’ve won the game by converting the early dominance and pressure into at least one goal.
It wasn’t to be but a point away at another strong home side well established at this level is something most would have taken before kick off, so we’ll certainly take it.
The new jumper run continues!
I got a new Sunderland jumper for my birthday in late November — and we haven’t lost since. I’ve worn it every game including that amazing 3-2 home win which I witnessed live with my lad.
I put my black Sunderland shirt on underneath the jumper yesterday, and despite the reputation it has we didn’t lose, so the jumper run carries on — and I may not be able to not wear it until May at this rate!
Two points dropped
That was a great chance to build our total even closer to the magic thirty five point mark and if we’d scored in the first half, I don’t think they would’ve got past us to level it.
Too many slightly poor decisions with good options, and not enough good service for Wilson Isidor when he came on.
A bad day at the office second stanza, but again, a point away from home.
Frustration for the fans after a long journey south
For the fans to go all that way — including a decent representation from Roker Report — and not see a win, I really feel for them.
They were the only voices that could be heard for most of the game and it would’ve been fair to them for a narrow win to be the outcome.
This won’t dent their dedication, but Santa hats off to the travelling hordes. Massive effort from them, to a man and woman.
