| Defining proof of this group's excellence 11:07 - Jan 14 with 1485 views | SomethingBlue |
Doesn't Portman Road feel really special on evenings like that? Still absolutely buzzing. At 0-1 it could have gone very differently – there's been a little scepticism in the air recently, for different reasons, and I get it even if I don't really agree. For this team to come back in the way it did should be defining proof for everybody that we have such a special group of players and staff here. They found a way to keep us more than competitive and will continue to do so. We are in for an unforgettable few months, whatever the ultimate outcome, and these guys need unconditional backing during it. They have more than earned that.
Thought the subs, and the timing of them, tipped the balance for us – Sarmiento and Hutchinson were high energy straightaway and the whole place responded. We're lucky to have them both, they have huge roles to play. Never really looked like relinquishing the lead: Sunderland were, all night really, nice but fairly lightweight and struggled to create.
Davis was clearly around 80% but what a showing that was from him. Fantastic in the second half, another who really helped us raise the raise the tempo. LIkewise Harry Clarke, who started iffily but got better and better – can't be easy going from week to week with his injury but he is visibly improving as a player and maybe we forget how young he still is. Thrilled too for Jackson, who deserved that and hopefully quietened a few people down. Travis is clearly going to be an excellent option, we have done well in the market so far this month.
Bit surprised to see some negativity around Taylor – radar was sometimes off but in the second half, especially, he took the ball in tricky positions and drove forward in the way we need him to. You can see he has been working on how to use his body in tight situations, as Morsy does so well. I thought it was fine from him and, as with any player, if I can see obvious signs of development I'm happy.
We really needed that, got it done and I expect us to go from strength to strength now. Hopefully Gallagher gets through the door quickly and, whatever happens at Leicester, we can really attack a great looking run of games in February and March.
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| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 11:12 - Jan 14 with 1402 views | FrimleyBlue |
Taylor will be a great midfielder for us I think it's just taking the time to really nurture him into that level of midfielder compared to doing well as a league 1 midfielder.
He's getting there. And now he has 3 very good midfielders to train with. |  |
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| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 11:22 - Jan 14 with 1359 views | bazza |
Jackson yesterday was pound for pound as good as hirst, and he got the goal, he always plays with a smile on his face and doesn’t seem to care what people are saying, the guy is a role model really. |  | | |
| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 11:26 - Jan 14 with 1349 views | BarcaBlue |
I assume it was part of the half time tweaks but it was noticeable that Davis was often coming infield a lot more after the break. A couple of really surging runs that upset the Sunderland defence, and a decent effort on goal from one of them. Wouldn't be surprised if his role develops that way over the rest of the season. |  | | |
| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 11:36 - Jan 14 with 1279 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 11:26 - Jan 14 by BarcaBlue |
I assume it was part of the half time tweaks but it was noticeable that Davis was often coming infield a lot more after the break. A couple of really surging runs that upset the Sunderland defence, and a decent effort on goal from one of them. Wouldn't be surprised if his role develops that way over the rest of the season. |
Mixing it up means defender is uncertain if Davis is going to fly down the wing or cut inside. Unbalanced Sunderland defence at times. Just another example of the meticulous preparation that goes into every aspect of our play. |  |
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| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 11:40 - Jan 14 with 1248 views | Pendejo |
Up voted as much for last two sentences of paragraph 1
"We are in for an unforgettable few months, whatever the ultimate outcome, and these guys need unconditional backing during it. They have more than earned that."
Yesterday we were without the beating heart and lungs of our midfield (or should that be beating heart and Luongo), our centre forward and one of our main CB. Had we been without Clarke and Davis we really would have been stripped bare.
Yet our manager and CEO manager to prise another Championship team's captain away from them, Travis and Taylor did a good job. Doesn't matter how much you train together it's not the same as a competitive match, there were a few misplaced passes but then that's been a feature of our season whoever has played.
Edmundson has been unlucky not to be first XI as both Burgess and Woolfenden have been excellent. He's probably not as comfortable on left as he would be on right but needs must. I think the biggest testament to his character is what he has been doing off the pitch with the foundation. It must be difficult representing the club when not always pkaying.
And Jackson? I think some wouldn't be happy if he only scored 20 in a season. There'd be some spurious accusation of laziness or not refurbished enough. Two seasons ago he pretty much single handful destroyed someone at PR (Burton?) then suffered an injury.
Back to your point essentially about trust.
We've got super Kieran McKenna, he knows exactly what we need
Anyone who doesn't wholeheartedly back McKenna should simply feck orf!
He has earned our trust, respect and love. He's yet to lose 2 consecutive league games, and that WILL happen this season and, as it stands, 1 defeat and 3 draws constitutes a poor run of form.
If you back McKenna you have to back the team. Unconditionally. No scapegoats, no undermining.
Follow the town up or down.... most of us have done the down, here comes the up.
One nil down at home in front of the TV cameras? No problem
Shortest player in the pitch (?) scores the winner with a header and yet another assist for Davis. (Doesn't quite match Tabb's v Boro in December 2014 but that was then this is now)
To quote Kung Fu Panda - enjoy the present as it is a gift [Post edited 14 Jan 2024 11:48]
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| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 11:55 - Jan 14 with 1132 views | Pendejo |
| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 11:26 - Jan 14 by BarcaBlue |
I assume it was part of the half time tweaks but it was noticeable that Davis was often coming infield a lot more after the break. A couple of really surging runs that upset the Sunderland defence, and a decent effort on goal from one of them. Wouldn't be surprised if his role develops that way over the rest of the season. |
The coming infield is a necessity of receiving the ball from Edmundson, it's coming on that side and it's quicker and easier to get control.
I was hoping he'd try a Thompson v Southend away surprise right footed rocket | |
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| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 12:11 - Jan 14 with 1055 views | LankHenners |
Important to get that done without Morsy, Hirst, Luongo and Burgess which as McKenna pointed out is pretty much the core of the team - had we not found a way or, worse, lost then the narrative would very much be all about how we can't handle things when players are missing etc. Obviously in a situation like the QPR game where more than half the team are out and the ones that are playing aren't 100% you'll feel it but think that's a bit different.
The Travis/Taylor midfield had the potential to look a bit sketchy and while we lacked the same level of control Morsy/Luongo bring I thought they did well. Travis clearly loves to get stuck in and he was straight into telling everyone else where they should be and what to do - great to have that sort of character in the squad.
Jackson did as well as I think you'd expect from him - at times, especially in the first half, I thought we were crying out for someone with more of an ability to get hold of the ball and do something with it but his work rate couldn't be questioned and he reacted very well to get onto the loose ball for the goal. Definitely need another striker in (at least) still but hopefully that gives him a boost.
Thought Clarke really grew into the game 2nd half and was an important part of driving us forward. Let's be honest he defended their goal pretty poorly but like a lot of our players has that resilience to his character that means he just cracks on with the job in hand and doesn't let things like that affect him. Really wanted him to score when he exchanged with Chaplin but was a bit of a defender's finish! Jack Clarke arguably the most difficult assignment in the league and while he got through a few times (and their own lack of a proper forward probably prevented them converting from his cut backs) he generally managed him fairly well.
Omari's started to get some stick from some people recently which I think has been really unfair but as you say he and Sarmiento made a big difference - occupied multiple defenders and have that energy and unpredictability about them which causes problems and allows us to keep the pressure on. Even when they lost the ball they'd forced Sunderland into committing enough bodies back to stop them that their only option was to clear the ball back out to, say, Woolfenden and we just started again. Wouldn't be surprised if Sarmiento dislodges Broadhead before too long.
Was possibly most pleased with Edmundson coming in and looking rock solid. As mentioned their lack of an actual striker meant he didn't have much of a physical battle but got his timings spot on with regards to when to push to cut something out and hold off and wait.
One on hand it would be nice to have another game midweek to try and capitalise on the momentum a win can bring but seeing as it's Leicester away it's probably good to have a whole week to meticulously prepare for it and hopefully get another forward in. |  |
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| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 12:13 - Jan 14 with 1036 views | Churchman |
| Defining proof of this group's excellence on 11:40 - Jan 14 by Pendejo |
Up voted as much for last two sentences of paragraph 1
"We are in for an unforgettable few months, whatever the ultimate outcome, and these guys need unconditional backing during it. They have more than earned that."
Yesterday we were without the beating heart and lungs of our midfield (or should that be beating heart and Luongo), our centre forward and one of our main CB. Had we been without Clarke and Davis we really would have been stripped bare.
Yet our manager and CEO manager to prise another Championship team's captain away from them, Travis and Taylor did a good job. Doesn't matter how much you train together it's not the same as a competitive match, there were a few misplaced passes but then that's been a feature of our season whoever has played.
Edmundson has been unlucky not to be first XI as both Burgess and Woolfenden have been excellent. He's probably not as comfortable on left as he would be on right but needs must. I think the biggest testament to his character is what he has been doing off the pitch with the foundation. It must be difficult representing the club when not always pkaying.
And Jackson? I think some wouldn't be happy if he only scored 20 in a season. There'd be some spurious accusation of laziness or not refurbished enough. Two seasons ago he pretty much single handful destroyed someone at PR (Burton?) then suffered an injury.
Back to your point essentially about trust.
We've got super Kieran McKenna, he knows exactly what we need
Anyone who doesn't wholeheartedly back McKenna should simply feck orf!
He has earned our trust, respect and love. He's yet to lose 2 consecutive league games, and that WILL happen this season and, as it stands, 1 defeat and 3 draws constitutes a poor run of form.
If you back McKenna you have to back the team. Unconditionally. No scapegoats, no undermining.
Follow the town up or down.... most of us have done the down, here comes the up.
One nil down at home in front of the TV cameras? No problem
Shortest player in the pitch (?) scores the winner with a header and yet another assist for Davis. (Doesn't quite match Tabb's v Boro in December 2014 but that was then this is now)
To quote Kung Fu Panda - enjoy the present as it is a gift [Post edited 14 Jan 2024 11:48]
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Travis looks a good player. I liked what he and Taylor did. The latter has a habit of getting caught in front of the back four, but he’s not alone in that. Part of the reason is the way we play. He’s particularly good going forward and that shot he has is a fair old asset.
Agree regarding Edmondson, Jackson and KM.
As for Chaplin and his goal, he’s an Amazonian giant compared to Tabb and I was there when the Tabbmeister powered in that header against Middlesbrough. Great goal. |  | | |
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