posted Sep 20, 2008

The main thing for me besides the result was that the Summer buys have made our team enjoyable to watch.

I believe it was a critical game for Sunderland's season and confidence will grow from it which was notably absent in the first half.

Gordon and Chopra demonstrated that they are true professionals today.

Great result, I enjoyed it immensely, credit to Boro for the quality of their football.

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posted Sep 20, 2008

i think we played well, Roy has made improvments on last season, we normally gave all our goals away in the first half, and now *(exculding man city) we had alot of the possession which is nice to see,
i saw the first goal but the i didnt see the second =( internet cut out anoyingly

but still, it was a good win for the team at the SOL

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posted Sep 20, 2008

Just returned from the game, great result, great atmosphere (second half) and some great performances. Have to say that I totally disagree with reports that we were second best. Not the best performance ever but it'l do. Real concerns over Whitehead in particular, good squad player but shouldn't be in the team ahead of Reid, negative and dangerous. Think Nos is gonna have to be really careful, looks edgy at best. Really don't think that you can justify keeping collins on the bench instead. Cisse is class but is so unfit could barely see out the first half. Not really acceptable on his wages.
Great to see Chops on the scoreboard again, he deserves it.

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posted Sep 20, 2008

The nos looks edgy because chimbonda keeps going out of position. Whitehead should never play before reid, his 1st touch is shocking. Steed looks a class act. I thought the match was pretty even. Gordon had a great game but he didnt have to deal with many crosses. If i was a manager, thats the 1st thing i'd be getting my players to do against us.

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posted Sep 20, 2008

Great performance Whitehead improved greatly in the second half.

I see Whitehead in the team before Tainio at the minute.

We always do better when Whitehad plays.

Check the last post out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/F11067160?thread=5837073

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posted Sep 20, 2008

totally agree RSBoy - everyone is entitled to an opinion - but the opinon of the people that count at safc is that Whitehead brings something to the side. I am not a prof. coach, I've only played local footy, but I know you cannot play 11 ballplayers - you will be thrashed week in week out. Tianio & Whitehead together centrally provide so much protection and not least support to whichever 2 or three playmakers are in the side. How can supporters in one breath laud Roy Keane for his work at our club then in the next sentence insult him by saying that they canot understand why Roy selects him. Believe me Roy will pick Dean Whitehead for virtually every game he is available for. Get your head round this fact whitehead is good for Sunderland, when he plays we usually play well. 11 Reis, Malbranques or Richardsons would not make a good TEAM.

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posted Sep 20, 2008

A great win for Sunderland, needed moves you up the table to much more respectable and probably deserved position for what you have done this season so far.

I've always been a fan of chopra, i'd welcome him to Derby with opening arms!

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posted Sep 20, 2008

We should get behind all of the lads

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posted Sep 20, 2008

Fair points, RSBoy & safc-noggieland, but Whitehead just appears to be raw rather than polished at this level. But the point that RSBoy keeps making over and over again on these boards is not lost on me. I will watch DW's contribution far more closely but I do need some convincing, though.

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posted Sep 21, 2008

thought Malbranque was class for first 3/4 of game bit faded a bit, still star performer. Nyron had good game apart from giving away a stupid pen.
Boro would have gone on to win it if Downing had scored.
Thought apart from malbranque we looked lightweight in midfield first half.
Cisse showed some good touches and some shocking crosses/attempts when near goal, he'll have to do better than this.
Think if both sides finish around lower mid table they should be happy as was'nt impressed at all.
Chops came on and ran his legs off, murphy looked heavy legged from the moment he came on, must have been having a kickabout outside.
Does anyone else wish that Gordon would take a touch
have this horrible vision of one going under/over his foot

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