| Only 2 players started last night 07:47 - Aug 9 with 1120 views | onceablue |
From the side that got promoted from the chamionship in 2023/24
Davis and Hurst
Other changes as below
RB - Johnson instead of Clarke DOWNGRADE
CB - O’Shea instead of Woolfie UPGRADE
CB - Greaves instead of Burgess DOWNGRADE
CM - Taylor instead of Lloungo DOWNGRADE
CM - Matsu instead of Morsy DOWNGRADE
RW - Obengne instead of Burns DOWNGRADE
10 - Szmodics instead of Chaplin DOWNGRADE
LW - Clarke instead of Hutchinson DOWNGRADE
The above is only my opinion of course and others may disagree
The side of 23/24 all knew their jobs and I think the team cohesion and mentality was very underrated
I think we will be okay this season and a point last night was a terrific result in light of the performance
McKenna needs to sort his best 11 quickly and play as regularly as possible
Promotion Possible? I hope so
Es
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| Only 2 players started last night on 07:50 - Aug 9 with 952 views | Keno |
But surely its all Kier's fault??
Starmer instead of May/Johnson/Truss/Sunak ..... UPGRADE |  |
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| Only 2 players started last night on 07:56 - Aug 9 with 888 views | HighgateBlue |
Yes, we have spent an awful lot of money and in many cases we are not better for it. The supposed truism that we are in a better position than when we were seeking promotion 2 years ago needs revisiting.
Of the 8 players on your list from two years ago:
- 2 of them are still with us but form part of our perplexing injury list
- 3 of them we have /allowed/ to leave (one still under contract and a club legend)
- 1 isn't playing for us because he's used us as a stepping stone and life's too short (or he has a cough, one or the other)
- 2 of them are selected on the bench
It wasn't so long ago that we thought we had an embarrassment of riches in the attacking areas of the pitch. Last night we created nothing. Time to finish our transfer window. |  | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 07:58 - Aug 9 with 857 views | HighgateBlue |
| Only 2 players started last night on 07:50 - Aug 9 by Keno |
But surely its all Kier's fault??
Starmer instead of May/Johnson/Truss/Sunak ..... UPGRADE |
I think this part of the forum might be for Kierans and occasionally Kierons rather than Kiers. | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 07:59 - Aug 9 with 850 views | onceablue |
| Only 2 players started last night on 07:50 - Aug 9 by Keno |
But surely its all Kier's fault??
Starmer instead of May/Johnson/Truss/Sunak ..... UPGRADE |
Trying to make a serious football post and you bring Politics into How 😞
Can’t our football and Political views be separated.
Perhaps you agreed with my post and didn’t like to think you agreed at long last with Onceablue made you feel uneasy 😂 | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 07:59 - Aug 9 with 845 views | davblue |
| Only 2 players started last night on 07:56 - Aug 9 by HighgateBlue |
Yes, we have spent an awful lot of money and in many cases we are not better for it. The supposed truism that we are in a better position than when we were seeking promotion 2 years ago needs revisiting.
Of the 8 players on your list from two years ago:
- 2 of them are still with us but form part of our perplexing injury list
- 3 of them we have /allowed/ to leave (one still under contract and a club legend)
- 1 isn't playing for us because he's used us as a stepping stone and life's too short (or he has a cough, one or the other)
- 2 of them are selected on the bench
It wasn't so long ago that we thought we had an embarrassment of riches in the attacking areas of the pitch. Last night we created nothing. Time to finish our transfer window. |
We need some work still but I’m also sure confidence is a huge part of it. ATM we have to try and ride it out and get some results whilst not playing well and hopefully it will gel. |  | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:01 - Aug 9 with 804 views | Chris_ITFC |
Given you can’t even name 4 of the players properly, I don’t have massive faith in your opinion of them. |  |
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| Only 2 players started last night on 08:09 - Aug 9 with 737 views | onceablue |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:01 - Aug 9 by Chris_ITFC |
Given you can’t even name 4 of the players properly, I don’t have massive faith in your opinion of them. |
What has a few mis spellings got to do with anyone’s opinions
There’s a deliberate mistake in the above can you spot it? | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:15 - Aug 9 with 697 views | bsw72 |
Most of the players you list from 23-24 played when we got spanked 4-0 against Leeds in Dec ‘23.
We played as poorly that day as we did last night.
Tonight we got a point. |  | | |
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| Only 2 players started last night on 08:15 - Aug 9 with 695 views | Weekender |
Not sure I completely agree, but like you say, it’s all about opinions. Worth bearing in mind that that Sunderland game two years ago we were played off the park for large parts. Difference is we managed to find a way to win that one whereas last night found a way to get a draw.. |  |
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| Only 2 players started last night on 08:19 - Aug 9 with 652 views | Chris_ITFC |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:09 - Aug 9 by onceablue |
What has a few mis spellings got to do with anyone’s opinions
There’s a deliberate mistake in the above can you spot it? |
Because if you don’t know them well enough for that, you probably don’t know them well enough to judge their ability.
Just my opinion. | |
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| Only 2 players started last night on 08:22 - Aug 9 with 607 views | onceablue |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:15 - Aug 9 by bsw72 |
Most of the players you list from 23-24 played when we got spanked 4-0 against Leeds in Dec ‘23.
We played as poorly that day as we did last night.
Tonight we got a point. |
Yes we got a point and a terrific point as I mentioned.
Do you not agree with my upgrade/downgrade opinions? | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:23 - Aug 9 with 596 views | Vaughan8 |
First game in the Championship last time we were hanging on to a win from a Sunderland team with 10 men. We just took our chances
Take out chances yesterday we would have been 2-0 up (yes they were gifted by Birmingham).
I'm going to give it at least 5-6 games before getting ahead of myself.
I'm sure we'll get 2 or 3 more players in before those games are done. | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:25 - Aug 9 with 575 views | onceablue |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:19 - Aug 9 by Chris_ITFC |
Because if you don’t know them well enough for that, you probably don’t know them well enough to judge their ability.
Just my opinion. |
The fact I can’t spell their names is irrelevant
What I can do is watch them play football and my opinion is therefore based on that | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:30 - Aug 9 with 544 views | MK1 |
I agree with some of your comments, but not all. We brought those replacements as they were doing very, very well for their clubs at the time. Johnson, O'Shea, Greaves, J.Clarke, Szmodics, Ogbene, Philogene, are all up grades on paper, but unfortunately football is played on grass.
McKenna needs to get those that are here now to play as a team. As fans, we need to stop looking back and support each and ever player that is here now. The team will need us this season and we need to be ready to give them that support.
It's only the opening game and whilst I was a disappointed with our overall performance, I know that this squad is good enough for promotion.
Keep the faith and back the boys. |  |
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| Only 2 players started last night on 08:34 - Aug 9 with 517 views | bsw72 |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:22 - Aug 9 by onceablue |
Yes we got a point and a terrific point as I mentioned.
Do you not agree with my upgrade/downgrade opinions? |
No | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:34 - Aug 9 with 509 views | mattyboar |
We were poor tonight but defensively far more sound.
The difference between now and then is twofold, our team was a well oiled machine in 23/24 but not atm due to the change in personnel through the core of the group (mids, front line have not consistently played together). Then there’s losing the heartbeat, Morsy. No one was consistently brave enough to take the ball from defenders and try break the lines. Cajuste will though.
There were small passages of play where we showed quality, and I think come mid September we’ll see a much better representation of the team.
Young looked very handy. | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:36 - Aug 9 with 494 views | MK1 |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:22 - Aug 9 by onceablue |
Yes we got a point and a terrific point as I mentioned.
Do you not agree with my upgrade/downgrade opinions? |
I think most would say that on paper all our new signings were an upgrade. They were all brilliant for their clubs, hence why we and many others wanted to sign them.
It is McKenna's job now to get them to play as a team. Thought last night we were still playing as individuals, which can't continue.
Forget the price tags and reputations, they are Town players now and need our support. | |
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| Only 2 players started last night on 08:36 - Aug 9 with 491 views | Churchman |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:22 - Aug 9 by onceablue |
Yes we got a point and a terrific point as I mentioned.
Do you not agree with my upgrade/downgrade opinions? |
No. |  | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:38 - Aug 9 with 475 views | onceablue |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:34 - Aug 9 by bsw72 |
No |
Would you like to elaborate? | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:39 - Aug 9 with 454 views | NedPlimpton |
I don't think on an individual level any of the players are particularly a downgrade but it's how they performed as a unit that's currently missing
For example Szmodics was the championship top scorer the season before last. Clearly not a downgrade on Chaplin, but Chaplin absolutely knew his role in the side in league 1 and kept that going into the championship
Hutch was incredibly raw at the start of his first season with us but we have him time and stuck with him. We would expect more from Clarke for the money we spent, but he clearly has unreal pedigree in the championship and I doubt anyone would have minded too much if we'd have signed him instead of signing Hutch on loan when we went up from league 1!
Context is important. We don't have worse players, but we currently lack identity as a team |  | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:43 - Aug 9 with 428 views | MK1 |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:38 - Aug 9 by onceablue |
Would you like to elaborate? |
Burgess doesn't play for us anymore, so doesn't come into it.
Morsy and Luongo decided to leave, so don't come into it.
Hutchinson is pushing for a move, so couldn't and shouldn't be picked.
Ogbene is coming back from a season off, so give him time.
There are many factors at play and McKenna needs to get them to play as a team.
I don't think it is healthy or helpful for the squad here today to constantly compare to previous sides. | |
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| Only 2 players started last night on 08:44 - Aug 9 with 419 views | Keno |
| Only 2 players started last night on 07:59 - Aug 9 by onceablue |
Trying to make a serious football post and you bring Politics into How 😞
Can’t our football and Political views be separated.
Perhaps you agreed with my post and didn’t like to think you agreed at long last with Onceablue made you feel uneasy 😂 |
I assumed as this was a serious football post someone has borrowed your log in so I was testing that theory
I dont disagree with what you have posted per se I just dont think you can make that judgement after 1 game | |
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| Only 2 players started last night on 08:46 - Aug 9 with 408 views | onceablue |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:39 - Aug 9 by NedPlimpton |
I don't think on an individual level any of the players are particularly a downgrade but it's how they performed as a unit that's currently missing
For example Szmodics was the championship top scorer the season before last. Clearly not a downgrade on Chaplin, but Chaplin absolutely knew his role in the side in league 1 and kept that going into the championship
Hutch was incredibly raw at the start of his first season with us but we have him time and stuck with him. We would expect more from Clarke for the money we spent, but he clearly has unreal pedigree in the championship and I doubt anyone would have minded too much if we'd have signed him instead of signing Hutch on loan when we went up from league 1!
Context is important. We don't have worse players, but we currently lack identity as a team |
Szmodics is a downgrade on Chaplin if McKenna is going to play him in the 10 position.
Chaplin is far more effective in that position don’t forget how many goals he scored too | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:50 - Aug 9 with 375 views | Churchman |
RB - Johnson instead of Clarke DOWNGRADE. Agree, but Clarke is injured.
CB - O’Shea instead of Woolfie UPGRADE. Agree.
CB - Greaves instead of Burgess DOWNGRADE. Disagree. Greaves is a better footballer and will prove it if he plays week in week out.
CM - Taylor instead of Lloungo DOWNGRADE. Luongo is not the player he was and I don’t see Taylor as more than a squad player.
CM - Matsu instead of Morsy DOWNGRADE. Matsu is not the same player as Morsy (whose career is ending) so an unfair comparison.
RW - Obengne instead of Burns DOWNGRADE. Different type of player returning after a year out. Give Thailand a chance
10 - Szmodics instead of Chaplin DOWNGRADE. Chaplin is still with us, Szmodics is returning from a long time out and is a better goalscorer
LW - Clarke instead of Hutchinson DOWNGRADE. Clarke was actually more effective than Omari’s the season before last as it took OH time to grow into the team. Clarke is rarely played in his Sunderland position and has played in front of a hopeless midfield.
In other words it is unfair to judge players at this level after one game away at Birmingham. A number of the players you favour are still with us an£ some of them want away.
What the club must do in the next three weeks is ship out a billy big bollx player and anyone who doesn’t want to be here. We also need better in midfield and support for Hirst. We also need to understand why we are picking up so many injuries. Is it the training, type of injury prone players we bring in or the way we play? Certainly you are going to get more injuries playing as the away team every week, but I’m hoping we don’t do that this season.
In conclusion, comparisons like the one you make are unfair, simplistic and pointless.
We didn’t lose last night btw. | | | |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:56 - Aug 9 with 330 views | bsw72 |
| Only 2 players started last night on 08:38 - Aug 9 by onceablue |
Would you like to elaborate? |
It’s irrelevant, different players, different seasons, different styles.
Like for like player comparisons are for kids playing top trumps. | | | |
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