Viva La Revolution!
The new Sunderland era has finally taken a step in the right direction, a home win and a display that mirrored Roy Keane’s personality, hungry to win and passionate for the full 90 minutes.
I had doubts before the game, with only Hysen starting different from the previous 5 defeats and W.B.A coming to the SoL on the back of a good win in the Carling Cup. But for the first time in a very long while we played with purpose and eagerness, which was overall the difference between the two teams.
With Roy watching in the stands, that type of performance will encourage his decision to take control of the club. The appointment after the game was just the icing on the cake and hopefully the opening of a new chapter for the football club.
The game started without Phillips for the baggies and Robson decided to use Hartson and Ellington up front, who were both very poor and caused no problems for the defence and Alnwick at any point of the game.
Sunderland should of been easily two or three in front in the first 25 minutes of the game, with Hysen going close after a nicely crafted cross from Brown. A few more chances went begging with Brown hitting over the bar after another good delivery from Delap. It was beginning to feel like a typical Sunderland game with good chances going to waste and the feeling that the goal we badly deserved was not going to come. But this was feeling was short lived as Dean Whitehead whipped a curling corner into the box and straight into the back of the net…. finally we see a good set peice from Deano and it results in a goal, things are definately changing for the better!
The midfield overall in the game was much improved with Whithead having more space and Leadbitter always fighting for the ball. I think this was one of Grant’s best games in a Sunderland shirt and showed characteristics that Keano himself would of been proud of. The will to succeed was there on show today and we outclassed W.B.A from start till finish.
The second half arrived with Phillips making his return to a mixed reaction, some sections booed his every touch but the more sensible fans gave him an ovation, without his goals we would never of been 7th in the Prem twice, people need to remember this fact. Happily, his form that he once showed for Sunderland was evidently missing as he barely got into the game. The route one football that they played was not to Phillips style.
Barely 4 minutes into the second half and another Dean Whitehead cross, led to Neil Collins with an easy free header and wrapped up the points we so badly craved.
The game settled down after the second goal, and apart from a few mis understandings between Cunningham and Alnwick, the defence was rarely tested. A clean sheet will also boost the lads confidence and hopefully stop the rot that has left us at the foot of the table.
Things are definately looking up, and with the international break, and only a few days before the transfer deadline, its going to be a hectic few days for Keano to stabilise the club and push on towards the top half of the league.
Report by ‘Clancey Wiggum’