Writing for the Sunderland Echo, I have so far got one prediction out of 22 games right, which either shows I am a terrible predictor or Sunderland are very hard to guess correctly. The main thing is at the moment Sunderland Football Club is on a run of 6 unbeaten and have won the last 3 games in a row, which proves to be consistent enough for me.
Luton who had Dean Kiely in goal which is a great signing for them looked like a promising team from the beginning who had numerous chances to score but thankfully did not have the finishing touch whereas Sunderland did today.
Sunderland who gave the debut to Martin Fulop for the injured Ward looked very nervous throughout the whole game in defence with only Dean Whitehead coming out of it with any credit and signs of being a promising full back compared to the woeful Collins and Varga, who both had stinkers.
Sunderland and Murphy in particular started very brightly with Daryl running his socks off and adding many nice touches to the front line but it was Luton who took the shock lead in the 5th minute. The lack of a decent left back was to blame for their opener as the midfield backed off the attack and seen them slip the ball on to the far right. A dangerous cross was cut out by Varga only for the ball to easily drop to Morgan who took his time and finished with ease. Both the keeper and defence were to blame for letting such an easy goal in and let Sunderland chase the game there on.
I supposed in hindsight this was a blessing for Sunderland that they conceded so early and made the lads play just like Man U did against the opener for Benfica in midweek Champions League. Sunderland came out and started to pass the ball about, well apart from the defence and had numerous chances that were long ranged efforts over or wide of the goal.
When the equaliser came, which we deserved, Murphy was given a nothing ball to chase (just like in the 4-5-1 formation last week) he chased down the nervy defender who lost possession on the edge of the box to let Murphy in on goal. The way he took the goal was pure class and shows how Keane and Quinn rate him so highly, with him opening up his body and finishing into the top corner. This settled the nerves at the SoL and made the atmosphere a whole lot better.
This still did not stop the defence from looking very shite in patches, with one simple ball from defence clearing Caldwell to let the striker clean through only for him to send wide. We were lucky to be drawing by half time as this chance went begging; this was the story for Luton who simply had nothing up front all game.
Just before half time, Sunderland stepped it up a gear by having a shot from the edge of the box which the normally cool Kiely should of dealt with but spilled only for Connelly to creep offside but still hit it straight down the keepers throat. Connelly again just moments after burst onto a through ball who had the shot blocked but was deflected into the net only for Kiely to superbly tip round for a corner.
2nd half arrived with expectations of a better performance, especially from Kavanagh who was dominated all game and simply looked out of place. The expectations were realised when a flick into Connelly seen him shield off the defender and acutely turn his defender and strike into the bottom corner for the winner. A great finish and nice to see Connelly keep up with Murphy and Elliott in the goal scored tally.
Sunderland had a few good chances after taking the lead but with shots tipped over and free headers from Wallace not converted it made it a tough last 15 minutes with Luton constantly attacking our weak and nervy defence. The debutant Fulop in all honestly was very poor and did not show the same alertness and composure as Ward has in the last few games. For such a big lad he never took a cross with ease, maybe nerves again but not encouraging.
With Leadbitter replacing Connelly we changed back to the good old 4-5-1 to tighten up the game and keep possession, but Luton kept coming forward and in all honesty had 2 great chances to snatch an equaliser, but lack of finishing proved costly as Sunderland took the 3 points again.
It was another performance with many positives but also negatives for Keano to consider for the next game away to Burnley next week. A special mention to the SWC who have taken stick over the season, best atmosphere in that end for a good time, many good chants and without the immature squeaks it made the game a lot more interesting than previous ties.
Joint 9th and 3 points behind play-offs, we may start to see higher profiled players join in January if we can continue this excellent run before New Year.
Clancey Wiggum aka Gary Johnson
MOM – DARYL MURPHY – RAN HIS SOCKS OFF