Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur

[funster]

Oh dear. Not quite the start to the season any of us was after. An injury time defeat to newly promoted Sunderland, who, if I remember rightly, took until the penultimate game of the season last time they were in the top flight to win at home?

It was, frankly, not a performance that deserved a victory - for either side. But fair play to Sunderland, they kept at it, and while I'd disagree with Roy Keane's view that it was a worthy victory, I won't begrudge them it. Probably more to do with the fact that one of my best mate's is a Mackem!

Having spent about six hours getting to Leeds to stay at his place overnight, then another two hours getting up to Sunderland, seeing a performance that lacking in imagination was..... shall we say, disappointing? The five hour or so drive home - with the bleedin' M3 closed! - wasn't all that satisfying.

Ah well, seen it all before.

I'm not really sure how worthwhile it is providing a detailed review of the game. My overriding impression was that we were all too much like we were last season - shaky at the back when Dawson and King don't play, totally lacking imagination in the middle, and (unlike large parts of last season - unfortunately), also lacking incisiveness up front.

Kaboul was a solitary positive from a poor game for us. He looked commanding and put the running in late on in the game to chase attacking positions that he'd helped create. Not really his job. That's what the full backs and wingers should be doing.

I suppose I could say that Robbo seems to have regained some of his confidence as he's back to kicking first time on back passes. But really, we're clutching at straws now.

Its worth noting, of course, that a large chunk of our new signings didn't play. Bale, no doubt, will make a difference. Stalteri was just a little too slow. To have Lee and Ekotto injured at the same time is just unfortunate. But nobody chasing points in the top flight cares about that!

Chimbonda, very strangely, looked to me off the pace. Almost as if he was playing for a transfer.....

Most disappointing in many ways was the lack of sheer brilliance that we've become used to from Berbatov. His touch is still exquisite. His ability to hold the ball up and run at players still there. But yesterday..... well, he just didn't turn it on like he did last year.

One other feeling I had yesterday - I don't think Martin's a risk-taker. Served us very well, but I wonder if he may have to take more gambles against the likes of Sunderland away if we're going to really break into the big time?

Man of the Match for me would go to Sunderland's centre-half, McShane. He was outstanding. Won pretty much everything in the air and looked superb.

So, to summarise, a side with a fair few injuries and new players out, lacking in creativity in the middle and prone at the back without the regulars in place, lost to newly promoted Sunderland who looked OK. Ah well. Still 37 games to go! Won't be there on Tuesday as have to be in Sheffield for a work thing, but we need to turn it around fast. Home games on the spin against Everton and Derby mean six points should be the objective, regardless of when they're played in the season. The focus, given current expectations, must be that must sharper right now as a result.

[RiverWire]

Ive missed reading your reports over the summer mate :10:

[berbatovisgod]

nice post
looknig forward to hearing from you week in and week out

[winchy]

nice post...............

Gutted yesterday.......Sack the midfield....!

[RiverWire]

Gutted yesterday.......Sack the midfield....!

yeah wasn't impressed either, reminded me of a spurs a couple of years ago (pre jol) Jol seem to be be blaming the strikers in all the papers today saying there's no excuse for poor play !

[SPURSRULE4LIFE]

very good post

[funster]

Cheers all! Match reports from me will be a bit sporadic over the next month due to work commitments. As already mentioned to Riv, can't do Everton on Tuesday as I'll be in Sheffield, but will be at the Derby game on Saturday - despite a total balls-up by the ticket office for my season tickets! Numpties.

[Twizzle]

One other feeling I had yesterday - I don't think Martin's a risk-taker. Served us very well, but I wonder if he may have to take more gambles against the likes of Sunderland away if we're going to really break into the big time?

we have more talent available but some of them were just spectators

I dont see why, in this case, a coach cant get his best available team on the pitch and play a few of them in a slightly different position

it surely is a better option than playing sub standard players just because there are no other recognised defenders available