Never before I have attended a Sunderland game and, for most of the match, thought what the heck am I actually doing here, but, as the old adage goes, there’s a first for everything. So last night was when I lost my boredom virginity, if there is indeed such a thing. The match really did take monotony to a new level. There are many words that can be used to describe the crowd, the atmosphere and the match itself and everyone of those words describes perfectly, each of those things. Dull, tedious, uninteresting, uninventive and unoriginal are just are few of the many ways to describe just how awful that match was.
Apologies for sounding so negative but there is just no excuses that can be made from anyone. The night was set up, first of all, by the team selection. Although not a reserve side by any means, it certainly wasn’t a 1st team. The new boys brought in, struggled, but then again, so did most of the team. Usually this part of the report is filled with play-by-play action (well, sometimes) but, for the first half at least, there was absolutely nothing to write home about. We passed the ball about like Brazil in our own half but couldn’t do anything around their box. Although we dominated in terms of possession, possession is no good if you don’t do anything with it. So the tone for the rest of the match was set as the Lads left the pitch to boos, even at half time.
The second half really wasn’t that much better although Sunderland did pose a bigger threat than they had throughout the first 45 minutes. The introduction of Andy Welsh seemed to give the team more balance although all of the chances were created from the right, however, Le Tallec and Basilla failed to head home the good crosses that came from that wing. Elliott saw his shot cleared off the line but that was the closest Sunderland were to come in a similar, shocking half as they were once again, rightly, booed off the pitch.
Extra time, however, was, thankfully, a lot more promising. The sending off of Dan Smith just before full-time seemed, if anything, to add a new impetus to the Lads as they played with re-newed energy and, believe it or not, a bit of class. They even scored a goal, Le Tallec latching onto a low, deflected cross, before firing it skillfully into the top corner. This goal obviously came as a massive relief and seemed to lift the weight off the Lads shoulders somewhat as they controlled the game from thereon in. Elliott was unlucky not to get a touch on Whitehead’s cross and hit the post later on in extra time. Yet all this still didn’t mask what a let-down this game and this performance really was. Let’s just hope the next round’s away as I can’t imagine the crowd getting any bigger than this. Frankly embarrassing.
Man of the Match: Anthony Le Tallec, for at least ending our misery.
Matthew Woolston