beaten by a much organised, direct team.
First goal - Janoi committed himself too easily out wide, him and sean both caught out of position and seamus and sam were left tracking back others as big ben hadn't cut inside, McGeady took the goal well but we shouldn't be giving a player of his ability that much space.
Second goal - Route 1 football really. Players caught out of position, no one gambling on the 2nd ball. Poor to concede that. Big Ben played the lad onside by a good few yards - not the first time Yozzer had screamed at him for doing so.
Third goal neither here nor there considering we had to push players further forward.
Subs at half time were the right call.
Thought Seamus played well but clearly fitness is an issue at present with him coming back from injury.
Big Ben started the half well but yet again caught out of position.
Can't fault Dimi for any of the goals. Think we are all in agreement he is our best keeper. Awful kicking but at least he doesn't spend an age like Maxted taking goal kicks.
Janoi looked like he had not played football in a decade.
Callum had little involvment which was a surprise. Don't think he touched the ball for about 20 minutes in the first half.
Ross was probably one of our better players, some good key tackles, distribution let him down, he always seems to rush and try and play a 60 yard diagonal ball.
Hughes let his emotions get to him. Must be frustrating telling Big Ben all game to get into position then concede from it. Needs to focus on his own game more than what the opposition are doing. Unlucky not to have won a penalty for shirt pulling end of second half, if only Sean could have delivered the ball near him maybe the ref would have been looking!
Not Sam's best game for us, would've liked him to of tried to impose himself a bit more in the game, get the ball deep and look to switch the ball out wide. Outclassed by ability but not by effort.
Sean actually had one of his better games for us in a while, thought he layed the ball off well out wide on edge of area. Tired and became sloppy towards end of game but think that was more down to players around him.
Smyth ran himself into the ground. Maybe should have tried dragging defenders wide but didn't have much time on the ball. Personally, felt he could of again tried imposing himself more on the game, especially after his MOM performance at Stadium of Light.
Billy again had to drop deeper and deeper due to our poor midfield. Held the ball up well and always looked to release Smyth/Sean/Erico. Probably should have been in the box more when we had the ball out wide but again can't fault his desire to get the ball and do something with it!
Surprised by how confident Erico is playing, beat his man well a few times but surprised he didn't use his pace more. Clearly should have used his left foot when 1 on 1 but in his defence, the ball took one hell of a bobble as he hit it. Impressed with him. Hope he gets more opportunity in next few games. No problem with keeping him as a squad player for the future, hopefully he keeps getting his chance.
Dan played a bit deeper than I thought he would of. Still think his best position is more attacking, if you give him a few balls on the edge of the area in a game, you'd hope at least 1 is going to either go in the back of the net or force the keeper into a good save. Something we have been lacking of late. Fancy footwork would probably work more on the edge of an opponents box (drawing a foul) but not 20 yards from our own goal!
Can't really offer much on Scotty apart from he does the simple stuff well. Sometimes that is more important that doing the hard stuff.
Sunderland was in my view looked at as a bonus game. If we had got something from it great, but I'm pleased we came through it with (hopefully) no injuries, and no silly red cards etc!
If we start the game on Saturday how we did the 2nd half last night, hopefully we can influence the 90 minutes in our favour.
I don't want us to try and match Wimbledon.
Make them do the work and match us.
KTF
