Sunderland 1-0 Fulham 30/08

[JimmyConway]

No middle ground for this team the way there setup under this system. Quite evident today that we won't be winning any physical battle's anytime soon.
I suppose the question in the back of a lot of fans mind is can Arbeloa adapt or will he adapt? Just don't see how in this league we can expose two central defenders who are not the quickest. Midfield is unbalanced and personally think he will need to play either two holding or two with legs if he continues current style of play.
First six pointer of the season now next week ????

[Coastwalker]

And that performance Ladies and Gents showed us why so many pundits see us as relegation fodder.
From start to finish we were to slow moving the ball , made sloppy mistakes and generally got out muscled all over the pitch.

I fear it's gonna be a  very frustrating season.

Yep,the Pundits could be spot on.

[BestOfBrede]

Saying we aren't physical enough and yet the ref obviously thought we were too physical!
Mostly due to the makems going down at the slightest of touch, I grant you!

[jarv]

Early days but a draw later puts us in the bottom 4.  Work starts now.  What really concerns me we have too many kids.  What was the old phrase...you never win anything with kids.

[Deadcowboys]

Struggled to beat their pressure mostly, attacking press mostly non existent & an inability to play a decent pass to a player in a horrible shirt.

King is the only one who came out of that game with any credit. Can find no reason for Palacios remaining on the pitch for so long given how ineffective he was. We thought Silva was bad with Subs but Blowers seems just as bad.

[Luka]

There is clearly a reason why Palacios was only £8m.
Next to Andersen,he is maybe the slowest in the team.
Looks like he's sprinting in timberlands!
We need some muscle and speed bought in to strengthen the spine of this team.

[SimonDaviesEnjoyer]

I think we should be getting more milage out of Kevin as well, given the money we spent on him. Does Arbeloa not rate him or something?

[The Cravenette]

Palacios looked out of his depth very early on and was on a yellow. Should have been swapped out at HT for ESR and Iwobi off for Charles at HT too.  I was amazed the personnel didn't change at that time. It was clear Xhaka was running the show and we needed the midfield strengthened.

[Super Mick]

So Palace who we always lose to at home next. Triffic.

[FFC007]

Bobb and Leno should be out for the next game.

Give Zepa a chance....

[Luka]

Bobb and Leno should be out for the next game.

Give Zepa a chance....

I'm not seeing anything from Bobb that tells me he is a first choice pick for a starting eleven. Apart from the odd sparkling dribble it's just tip tap with no end result.

[Twig]

I am struggling to offer any positives after that woefully lacklustre performance. And now I have early concerns that we may have brought in the wrong manager. His use of so many lightweights, his proclaimed high octane pressing and attacking style that wasn't and some utterly bizarre substitutions.  I know it's early days and hopefully he will learn but if he persists in signing lightweight players I fear we will go down. I don't care how skilful players are, without a strong spine a team will always struggle in the Prem.

[SimonDaviesEnjoyer]

I am struggling to offer any positives after that woefully lacklustre performance. And now I have early concerns that we may have brought in the wrong manager. His use of so many lightweights, his proclaimed high octane pressing and attacking style that wasn't and some utterly bizarre substitutions.  I know it's early days and hopefully he will learn but if he persists in signing lightweight players I fear we will go down. I don't care how skilful players are, without a strong spine a team will always struggle in the Prem.

Funny thing is Lukic could probably have done a job today.

[bahay18]

Ipswich look streets ahead of us , much stronger .

If Arbeloa sticks with palacios it will be his undoing . Both games he should have been off at half time . No where near it .