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*~*~* Sunderland v Bristol City match thread *~*~*


I’m not really one for the Speakman picks the team conspiracy theories, but it is undeniable there is a pattern with us persisting with players way beyond that which their form and performances merit, which spans every manager since Alex Neil.

It’s so obvious that these young lads need rotation, for form and fitness reasons, that i cannot believe they can’t see it and the team is screaming out to be freshened up, I mean every single one of us can see it, but the powers that be simply refuse to do it. It’s completely mental.

It's been hinted at and Mowbray has even come out and said it with regards influence in terms of picking certain young players.

From memory Harlee Dean mentioned something about interference from first the chairman at Birmingham but also mentioned stuff about Jude coming through and Dodds without really going into detail.

The likes of Jobe and Rigg are clearly talented. Dan Neil and Dennis Cirkin too before them who also suffered.

They're all likely to progress over a period of time, when given games because they're good and very talented. whereas maybe players like Ba or Pembele, Rusyn aren't going to progress that much or at that rate as they have deficiencies and aren't really suited to the league or level.

Therefore I don't really see why, other than as part of some agreement or to maximise value over a short period, we have to absolutely hammer our better young players into the ground to the point they look fatigued and performances absolutely drop off.
 
I'm reasonably happy with where we are but the last 8 games have been worrying
Every team has a bad spell during the season and we have to hope that this is ours. The other 3 haven't had theirs yet. Despite playing under par we are still just 4 points off the top. The Leeds fans on social media think they have won it already.
 
Every team has a bad spell during the season and we have to hope that this is ours. The other 3 haven't had theirs yet. Despite playing under par we are still just 4 points off the top. The Leeds fans on social media think they have won it already.
Either them or sheff Utd will walk away with it.
 
Anything other than winning headers Ballard is a bombscare

He's not a bombscare at all. It's laughable the negativity he gets now his likely him v's O'nien and you have people slating him on here for absolutely anything.

Mepham gives the ball away in a dangerous area, gets chopped tonight far too easily, gets outmuscled often enough and there's nowt said.
 
It's been hinted at and Mowbray has even come out and said it with regards influence in terms of picking certain young players.

From memory Harlee Dean mentioned something about interference from first the chairman at Birmingham but also mentioned stuff about Jude coming through and Dodds without really going into detail.

The likes of Jobe and Rigg are clearly talented. Dan Neil and Dennis Cirkin too before them who also suffered.

They're all likely to progress over a period of time, when given games because they're good and very talented. whereas maybe players like Ba or Pembele, Rusyn aren't going to progress that much or at that rate as they have deficiencies and aren't really suited to the league or level.

Therefore I don't really see why, other than as part of some agreement or to maximise value over a short period, we have to absolutely hammer our better young players into the ground to the point they look fatigued and performances absolutely drop off.
Maybe unrealistic expectations in getting the deals done?

It’s well documented Dortmund only got Jude because they agreed to a guaranteed number of minutes wheras Man United (per OGS) wouldn’t.

I don’t know the details of the agreement, but if it’s as cut and dried as “if he’s fit, he starts” that seems counter productive to some degree. Mowbray rested Jobe once and was sacked two days later.
 
Bristol came for a draw, sat back and absorbed all the play in the first half (though barely any attacks to snuff out), then frankly looked like they'd stolen a win. Rope a dope tactics.

Pleased with the equaliser but that was poor football tonight, barely challenged their keeper.
 
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