After last night’s disappointing 1-0 loss at Manchester City left Sunderland just one point clear of the relegation zone, Sunderland’s players were locked in the dressing room with boss Roy Keane for more than 30 minutes following the game.
Sunderland fell to Stephen Ireland’s excellent second-half goal, but over the whole game were rather unlucky to get nothing out of it, since City looked very ordinary on the night.
Both Newcastle and Sunderland will be eying all 3 points come Saturday at the Stadium of Light.
Craig Gordon – Sunderland’s 24 year-old Scottish International Goalkeeper
Craig Gordon said after the game last night:
“We need to get points on the board quickly to get away from the drop zone.†“In terms of league position, we have not moved very much, despite not picking up enough points in recent weeks.â€
“But we’re aware of the situation and we have to improve.†“We felt the game was there for us to win last night, but yet again we’ve failed to keep a clean sheet and we’re disappointed with the goal we conceded.â€
“We had a long chat in the dressing room afterwards.†“What the gaffer says in there, stays there, but let’s hope we do have a positive response to it.”
It was a very even game last night, and a draw would have seemed a fair result, with Manchester City not looking anything like they did against Newcastle when they easily beat us 3-1 at Eastlands. In a game where neither goalkeeper had much to do, Manchester City showed one piece of class when young Stephen Ireland volleyed home nicely after 67 minutes, a crucial time to score the first goal of the game. That was enough to give City all 3 points, but their display was pedestrian to say the least.
Craig Gordon, the Scottish International, who looks a very good goalkeeper in the Premiership, continued:
“We did not create too much,” “We would have liked more chances and one or two breaks might have gone our way, but at this level you have to take your chances and we were unable to do that.â€
“I think we were better defensively. We’re looking to tighten up and not lose so many goals.”
Sunderland have given some strong performances in the league this season, but too many times they don’t come away with the points their performances seem to deserve. They certainly don’t have too much class in the side, but that may be changed in January as manager Roy Keane has stated he needs more class in his squad. Chairman Niall Quinn has also indicated there is money in the kitty.
Sunderland’s danger man is Kenwyne Jones, who is a tall striker and good both in the air and on the ground. He will be the man Newcastle will need to contain if they are to get anything out of the game on Saturday. Seems that Abdoulaye Faye will get that assignment on Saturday.
Gordon added:
“It can be dispiriting when you keep putting so much into a game and get nothing from it.†“But we’re playing in the Premier League now and we know that if we’re going to switch off for a second, it is going to be punished.â€
“We have to get used to the standards we’re playing at very quickly.”
If you switch off for a second it’s going to be punished – just ask Newcastle about that one.   :D   Sam Allardyce was at the game last night to run the rule over Sunderland, and it turns out Roy Keane took in the first 60 minutes of the game at St. James’ Park on Saturday. So both managers will now scheme on how to get the 3 points on offer on Saturday. Certainly both teams need the points.
It should be a good game, but let’s hope we’re still in the game after 11 minutes this time.
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
adam
Nov 6, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Comment #1what a huge game it will be for both sides this saturday. i cant wait!
both managers will be getting stuck into the players all week and before kick off and i wouldnt be surprised if we saw more than 1 red card. i hope we go for a line up which has as many geordies as possible to fully get the passion of the shirt across to the scummy bastards there in sunderland. no tinkering with formations, just simple stuff because it wont be an open game.
come on lads!
STEPHEN
Nov 6, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Comment #2Just play simple easy foot ball and dont complicate things and we will stuff those dirty mackem bastards down the road and set them on their way back to the championship
Brisbane Mag
Nov 6, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Comment #3It’s a big-big game and only hope we turn up with spirit and fight for every 50-50 ball, or we’ll be turned over.
I expect Beye to return as Taylor is still not ready for the big game, and expect a back four of Beye-Faye-Rozenhall-Enrique, with Geremi taking over Butt’s role in CM with Barton.
This will allow Milner and Zog from wide to support Smith and Owen/Martins up front unless Viduka makes a sensational return……
true
Nov 6, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Comment #4this is a BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG game
I hope Sam and the boys understand what this fixture means to the fans
indian toon
Nov 6, 2007 at 1:35 PM
Comment #5lets just not get too carried away by this game… at the end of the day its just a game of footballl… some fans are talking like its a matter of life and death…!! YES it’s a big match in terms of points and the dominance in the north east’ but even if we lose it’s not like we are relegated..
wsq
Nov 6, 2007 at 1:49 PM
Comment #6If cam continues to be negative, we are going to go nowhere. be positive and we’ll get the results.
Ashton
Nov 6, 2007 at 2:21 PM
Comment #7Hey is rozehnal left or right footed ?
i think he is lefty but in the video games he is righty !!
hmmm that’s weird !
indian toon
Nov 6, 2007 at 2:29 PM
Comment #8he’s a lefty and pacy geordie boy.
Bill F
Nov 6, 2007 at 4:04 PM
Comment #9Gordon has looked shaky for them so far, just hope he don’t go and have a blinder.
Leo
Nov 7, 2007 at 12:57 AM
Comment #10no doubt he will have a blinder, but going on from my 5aside proformance tonight, 14goals in an hour, absolutly knocking them in all over the place, im only 20, sign me up big sam
i wont charge anything for my time.
Bill f
Nov 7, 2007 at 1:15 AM
Comment #11Are you talking stones Leo. 🙂
Leo
Nov 7, 2007 at 1:23 PM
Comment #12hahaha, nah not stones, i am no mark viduka, am bout 13stones, i was on fire last nite, which is the reason i had an early night