Sunderland take a draw

Sunderland deserved a draw against a strong Everton team. Most fans would agree a 1-1 scoreline was about right.
Having said that it could have been much better for Sunderland -but also much worse.
Better because having taken the lead with a sweetly taken free kick by Larsson after 76 minutes they should have defended better in the final 15 minutes of the game. But the game could, and perhaps should have been worse. Must be honest Wickham would have been sent off for the tackle which gave away the penalty for Everton. Secondly, Gomez could well have been given a straight red card for a bad tackle on Barry.
My question is what is Wickam doing making a tackle like that in our penalty box? I dont blame Wickham. He is a striker - not  a midfield player. Strikers should not be allowed in their own penalty box! 
Perhaps one of the most pleasing aspects of the game was the performance of Bridcutt. He had a fine game and showed composure and strength in his all round game. Some Sunderland fans have been critical of Bridcutt , and hopefully this performance will convince these doubters that this lad has ability.
Larsson, as usual ran his socks off, Fletcher worked hard however had few chances to score. Brown and O'Shea were solid and rarely really troubled,and Pantillimon looked confident and assured in goal. Steady games by  Reveillere, Vergini and Gomez. Sadly, Johnson did not produce the performance we all know he is capable of.
Gus has said that Billy Jones and Alvarez could well be back in the Sunderland squad after the international break.Also Cattermole returns from suspension, which adds to good options for Gus in the coming games.
                         

                        

Sunderland thump Palace

A fine win, and a battling performance has done much to put a smile back on the faces of Gus Poyet, and the Sunderland faithful.
A 3-1 win at Crystal Palace has done much to repair the damage of the past two games for Sunderland.
The game was never going to be a classic ,and it was a credit to Sunderland that they overcome a workmanlike Palace team, largely due to some fine team play and quality finishing from Sunderland.
Sunderland fans were concerned before the game. Recent bad results and  changes to the team were a gamble. But they paid off.
Pantillimon was, as expected, in goal and looked confident and assured for most of the game. Anthony Reveillere made his debut and had a fine game -showing class and composure. O'Shea was his usual steady self with a good performance. Vergini had one or two dodgy moments - especially n the first 30 seconds of the game when he was lucky to get away with a tackle which was a penalty and was not given. 
The headlines will be about Fletcher who had one of his best games of recent times. Two goals scored and some class link up play.
The rest of the team played their part, including a fine goal from Gomez. All the team contributed to a well deserved win.
Perhaps the only confusion for Sunderland fans was that Connor Wickham was again played on the left side of midfield. Not his favoured position - and it showed. In some ways its unfair on the lad to criticise his performance -but Wickham offered little in the role he was asked to play.
Only negatives for Sunderland was the injury to Patrick Van Aanholt who was carried off, and has a suspected dislocated shoulder which could sideline him for months.
Overall, a good team performance, and much to celebrate for Sunderland.

                         Fletch slots in Sunderlands third goal

Sunderland in trouble

Another defeat for Sunderland on Saturday has brought on yet more relegation fears for Sunderland. After this weekends results Sunderland sit in the bottom three of the Premier League.
After a remarkable end to last season Sunderland fans were not expecting to be in yet another relegation fight -but it looks like that at this time.
So what are the problems? Is Poyet to blame? 
Firstly, Sunderlands transfer business over the summer has been a disaster. Only Patrick Van Aanholt has added anything to the squad. The signings, and loan signings of Coates, Alvarez and Jones have not hardly kicked a ball. Added to that are average performances from Rodwell, and Buckley. To go even further the squad/bench warmers of Cabral, Bridcutt and Graham are adding very little -if anything to the Sunderland cause.
Sunderland fans are still not convinced by Fletcher, Wickham and Johnson who seem to have the odd good game -then do little for weeks.
The next point has to be that Wes Brown really should not be in the team. Sadly, he is not up to it anymore.
One area of the team I feel has been poor for seasons is midfield. Many celebrated Larsson signing a new deal at SAFC. Not me.
Yes he tries, reads the game ok, but what does he really give SAFC? His dead ball delivery has produced nothing for years.
Cattermole is a good player on his day, but there is the problem of reputation and red/yellow cards. If I was Gus I would substitute Cattermole straight after a yellow card, as his game just disappears after a yellow card. 
Johnson - skillful and sulks when subbed, and yet dont look at why he is subbed. 
To state the obvious, midfield is crucial. Surely, it must create, and score goals, and stop opponents from doing the same. 
How many goals a season will Cattermole or Larsson score? or create? Yep - not many. 
Answers? Some Sunderland fans are already asking for Poyet to be sacked. Probably not a good idea , however it may be tempting for Ellis Short to look at Moyes or Pullis as they are available.
Priority is to buy a striker in January - and  a proven one,not some 2 million pound gamble from abroad. Not easy -but it has to happen if Sunderland are serious about avoiding relegation, and a top half of the Premier League finish this season. Just look what Kev Phillips, Darren Bent gave Sunderland. 
Another priority is at least one top quality central defender.
The past two seasons have been hell in terms of the Premier League for Sunderland. Looking very similar to teams such as Wigan who scraped above the bottom 3 each season but inevitable they would be relegated.
Before Sunderland fans jump off the River Wear bridge there is a team there somewhere if just 2 or 3 are added, and the likes of Wickham, Larsson, Cabral, Graham and others leave SAFC.
Giaccerini, Alvarez and Rodwell can add something that is very much needed by Sunderland.

Sunderland sign France international

Sunderland AFC has confirmed the signing of former France international Anthony Reveillere. 

Frenchman makes SoL switch.

Sunderland AFC has confirmed the signing of former France international Anthony Reveillere.

The 34-year-old full-back has signed a deal with the Black Cats until the end of the season and will wear the number 15 shirt. Pending international clearance from the Italian FA, Reveillere could be available to make his Black Cats debut against Arsenal this weekend.

Big test for Sunderland fans, players, and Gus Poyet

The dust has nearly settled after the game at Southampton. Ofcourse the pain is still there for Sunderland fans. But the big question is what happens next?
Was the Southampton game a one off bad day for Sunderland? or was it a sign of things to come this season?
Its obvious  that the players are under the spotlight But this is a big test of Gus poyet, and also the Sunderland fans.
Gus Poyet will never have faced a situation like he has now. Gus knows that some fans, of all clubs have short memories. Already some of the Sunderland fans forums are calling for Gus to go. How stupid that is. Have the forgotten where the team where when he arrived a year ago? Since then he somehow kept Sunderland in the Premier League, wins against top teams - and Newcastle United, and that awesome trip to Wembley for the Capital One Cup final.
Having said that, Gus needs to show he can steer Sunderland away from the disaster at Southampton, and that will not be easy.
The fixtures are not kind for Gus with the next home games being against Arsenal, Everton, Chelsea and Manchester City -could not be much more tough?
Gus will need to get the team at least playing with heart, pride and performance if he is to repair the damage done at Southampton.
The Sunderland fans can play a big part. They have suffered seasons of relegation threatened seasons, and fear this will be another one. As mentioned, some fans already  have it in for Gus, and the players, so the next few games will be a test for the fans too.
A win for Sunderland against Arsenal could change things. It would be clear that the Southampton disaster was a one off, and would be just history. If Sunderland lose against Arsenal on Saturday the pressure will me mounting on Gus and his players.
Keep the faith!

****Sunderland AFC has today confirmed the signing of former France international Anthony Reveillere. ** 

Smiles at Sunderland FC

Sunderland at long last won a game this season, and Gus Poyet deserves credit for his bravery in making big decisions with team selection.
Two players who most fans thought would start against Stoke City - Johnson and Rodwell - were dropped to the subs bench, and in came a very attack looking team with both Fletcher and Wickham in the starting eleven. Only disappointment was the no show of Alvarez - evidently through injury.
Quite a gamble to drop Johnson and Rodwell against a Stoke City team which had performed well in away games so far this season.
Gus took this gamble and it paid off handsomely. The team looked confident, well organised,and ofcourse scoring early always helps.The balance of the team looks better. Two goals for Fletcher, and one for Wickham gave Sunderland a well deserved 3-1 home win.
This win could well prove to be a springboard for Sunderland to push up the Premier League. The season has not started greatly for Sunderland. But its strange how people have banged on about Sunderland not winning a Premier League game so far (until Stoke). The media moaned on and on about this, and seemed to not see that Sunderland have only lost one game so far in the Premier league -a narrow 0-1 away loss at QPR. 
After the win against Stoke City suddenly Sunderland look difficult to beat, and look like they are heading in the right direction.
Gus needs time to get his team playing as he wants. Players like Rodwell, Alvarez, Giaccherini, Gomez have quality and if Gus can get them injury free, and playing well, the future for Sunderland is looking good.
                      

                            Fletcher scores v Stoke City

Big test for Poyet

Sunderlands next two games are to be yet another test for Gus Poyet. Sunderland need points from these games to stop fears of yet another relegation threatened season.
The season so far for Sunderland has disappointed most Sunderland fans. To be fair Sunderland have only lost one game so far this season  - a narrow 0-1 defeat at QPR, but performances have been far from convincing in all 5 games so far this season.
Gus has new players to bed in, and it looks like Gus is still searching for the best team, tactics and team formation.
So many questions still look for answers from Gus. New players like Alvarez, Rodwell, Jones, Buckley and Gomez need to be integrated into his team. Question marks are still there about some of the more established Sunderland players. Johnson, Giaccherini, Fletcher,  Altidore and others still have some way to go to convince Sunderland fans that they will aid Sunderland in their quest to be a top half of the Premier League team.
There looks to be an improved  squad of players at Sunderland, and one that should not be fearing another relegation threatened season, but Gus will need to get his team right very soon if he is to guide Sunderland away from the relegation fight,and towards a much sought after top ten Premier League finish.
The next two games for Sunderland -home to Swansea City, and home to Stoke City will provide a big test for Gus.