Same old Sunderland. The Black Cats just cannot win a game during the opening two months of the season. After today’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spurs, it is now 24 games since they last won in August or September. Once again, they started the season with a new manager, new players and renewed hope. However, things never seem to change on Wearside.
Team changes made
Sunderland made several changes after last Monday’s home defeat against Everton. Into the starting line-up came Steven Pienaar, club record signing Didier NDong, Lee Cattermole and, bizarrely, Jason Denayer at right-back. The latter was a late change for the injured Patrick van Aanholt. Looking back at television pictures, van Aanholt seemed bemused when told he had picked up an injury during the warm-up.
The match
The changes made little difference. Sunderland were on the back foot for the majority of the game and if it were not for Jordan Pickford, the game could have been over by half-time. Tottenham dominated possession and had chance after chance.
Sunderland were once again giving their long-suffering supporters another tough afternoon. However, they very nearly took an unlikely lead. Steven Pienaar was found in the six yard box but his shot was cleared off the line.
The second half was much of the same. It was therefore no surprise when Tottenham took the lead; Harry Kane with the goal on 59 minutes after a dreadful error by Papy Djilobodji. The Black Cats rarely threatened and once again they had Pickford to thank for keeping the score at 1-0. Late in the match Adnan Januzaj was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Here is a look at some of the positives and negatives form a Sunderland point of view.
Positives
Jordan Pickford, Sunderland’s man of the match
Only the one positive can be taken from the pitch. Young Jordan Pickford, in the team once again after first choice Vito Mannone was injured several weeks ago, continued his fine form. Shot after shot reigned in on the Under-21 international’s goal. Apart from the goal itself, which he could do little about, he was a match for Tottenham’s attempts.
His shot stopping cannot be questioned and at times his quick thinking and distribution can set his side on the attack very quickly. He is still young and still learning, but if continues to develop he will have a very good career ahead of him. If he can keep up performances like this, then Sam Allardyce must consider him for the senior national side.
The fans
Credit must go to Sunderland’s long suffering fans. Once again they travelled hundreds of miles in their thousands to witness another defeat and often poor display. The red and white army are known for keeping the faith and sticking by their team. It can be difficult at times though, very difficult.
Negatives
Stop the long balls to Defoe
For too long now Sunderland defenders have been hitting long balls for lone striker Jermain Defoe to fight for. For a player of his size, Defoe is excellent at holding the ball up, but he cannot be expected to out-jump six foot plus defenders on a regular basis and then bring others into play. It is obvious that he needs help, but until Sunderland can find a forward to do this, tactics need to change as possession is lost on too many occasions at present.
Basic defending was very poor
Once again the Black Cats defending was of a poor standard. Tottenham could have had several goals but for the performance of Sunderland’s ‘keeper. Too many times possession was given away in dangerous areas, opposition players not picked up and individual errors gave Spurs chances. One of those errors led to the winner. David Moyes knows the defending of late has not been good enough and much work on the training pitch is ahead.
Poor passing and inability to retain possession.
Sunderland looked nervous when in possession at times and gave the ball away far too easy. Defenders relied too much on the long ball to lone striker Defoe, midfielders failed at times to pick out their own team mates and the forwards failed to help out each other when they managed to get into the opposition half.
Players must learn quickly to be more confident in the ball. At the minute several seem scared to have it or unsure what to do with the ball. This may be as simple as a confidence issue and a win will change of this. The pressure is already on though and that win must come soon.
Final thoughts. There is hope
Fans cannot wait until September ends, and thankfully the end is is in sight for them. Maybe then, like in seasons gone by, the occasional win will come their way. Up next at the Stadium of Light are Crystal Palace and a positive result is required. Even though it is early days in this season’s Premier League, high pressure and must-win games will be coming soon.
The Black Cats have two home fixtures next, Palace and then West Bromwich Albion. These are not easy games, but with injuries healing and match fitness being regained by several, two positive results are possible. If this happens it could change the entire outlook around Wearside.
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