Football is certainly all about confidence, last time we played Southend we were laughed off the park by a team who we all know are crap; this was confirmed by their performance today at the SoL, utter turd. However, let’s not take any thing away from how good Sunderland played today to take us finally into the playoffs in fifth position. The football at times was as Stern John likes to refer to as “total football” and the home crowd were finally delivered what Quinny said he would bring to the table, bright attacking football with flair. This is the difference in why Sunderland are a real contender to be promoted come May, we now possess the confidence that Keano has breathed into the squad and every team in the league now knows we are in this till the end and are a real threat both home and away.
Keane who always likes to dabble with his team selections only made the one change by resting the recently impressive Yorke and bringing back Liam Miller in the centre alongside the skipper Whitehead. Otherwise it was the same as Plymouth and the performance from start to finish was simply superb, best game we have played at home so far this season and with another clean sheet it is great to have faith in our defence after a season of calamity.
Making it to the match was very difficult (as I was knackered) after I took part in a sponsored walk for a SMBer named FT Maxwell who passed away in Australia last year to raise awareness for Marfans Syndrome. Happily I made it through the 13 mile pier to pier walk and made it into the ground as the Hey Keano song rang out around the ground. The funny thing about today was actually my fingers that were the most tired as I couldn’t stop writing notes from as soon as the whistle blew at 3pm. Southend never tested Fulop, who at times looked shaky but dealt with most crosses with ease and the only shot I can remember noting was on 37 minutes as they had a fierce shot that went just over the bar, apart from that it was all Sunderland.
Edwards latched onto a well won flick by John and beat the defender to take the ball close to the by-line; as usual Connolly found the space and simply tapped home the 6th goal in nine games. Keane described the day as a “decent afternoon” and he was not wrong as the chances kept coming and coming with relentless speed and passing all over the park. Simpson who made his home debut made a steady start although a few of him passes were misplaced at times he managed to find the strikers with some decent forward passes. One of his passes into Connolly was touched wide to Whitehead who dinked a ball into John only for his brilliant header to hit the inside of the post and out to safety. It felt like it was going to be one of those afternoons for John who played excellently along with the superb Connolly misses a host of chances in the 1st half.
After a few chances were missed we finally got the 2nd which ultimately killed the game off at a very early period of the game. Whitehead won a great header in the middle to set up Connolly who beautifully chipped his pass into the stride of Toby Hysen. Hysen simply darted past the defender who ended up on his arse only to get up and see Hysen slot the ball home for the 2nd. Most fans have only seen Hysen and Edwards perform to their potential at away games but today we finally seen a balance in the team, and Keane looks to have a settled side which is important for the crucial run in.
The Nyron appreciation club grew in numbers today as he again kept a clean sheet, showed some neat touches and won most of his headers against a very poor Eastwood, he was also rewarded for his reputation by being named deputy skipper when Whitehead was replaced at the end (is there anything he can’t do, well apart from pass to strikers feet?). He also bombed forward just before half time by skinning the left back and whipping in a low cross, the shot by Miller was unfortunately blocked by John who thought he was offside, scuffed the shot and was easily collected by Flahavan. John had another two great chances with another low cross by Edwards in the 36m was just out of the T&T strikers reach. The other chance created from the left side saw a lovely cross for John to power the header in only for the keeper to tip over the bar… what has he got to do to score was the question… we didn’t have to wait long to see him on the score sheet though.
The second half started with a slight scare as Evans missed clearance as Bradbury beat the oncoming Fulop but the weakness of the shot could not beat Evans as he cleared to safety. Sunderland pushed on and showed their dominance as we won a free kick on the edge of the box, I would normally mention if we had a penalty shout but you all know the outcome by now. Whitehead took the free kick only to be cleared off the line; it was only a matter of time before we added to our comfortable lead.
As Stokes came on to replace the hard working Hysen the SoL was being greeted by Mexican waves, times are definitely changing if we are doing this compared to when we were down Roots Hall being tortured by a League 1 outfit, its changing but its a welcome change.
By the time I had finished writing my note for the 3rd goal we had gone up the other end and John doubled his goals for the afternoon. Two goals in as many minutes and they were well deserved from Stern who persisted all game and also won my mate £120 for the honour of scoring 1st in the 2nd half. Whitehead drove through their defence and his shot rebounded off the post into John’s path for him to tap home. The fourth (I think) was well worked by Miller on the right side and his well guided cross found John to drill home and send the 33,000 Sunderland fans home happy and three points better off.
MoM – Carlos Edwards – Direct, Aggressive, Fast and added to his performance some great deliveries. He looks like a good signing as defenders can not handle his pace.
Clancey Wiggum
AKA – Gary Johnson