Malcolm Dawson writes…….Sixsmith Towers was a haven of joy and celebration this morning as Pete Sixsmith listened to Test Match Special’s description of Durham cricketer Ben Stokes totally destroying the South African bowling. World records tumbled as the highest ever partnership compiled by two ginger headed batsman put the game (and probably the series) beyond the reach of the home side. There were celebrations yesterday too, though somewhat more muted, following Sunderland AFC’s third home win of this season’s Premier League campaign. On the way to the game we speculated that recent injuries to Kaboul, O’Shea and Coates left Big Sam with few options at the back so it was with some relief that we heard the team news as we parked up pre-match. O’Shea and Brown, a well tried but ageing partnership was surely better than any available alternative. It didn’t take a genius to realise that anything short of a win would have left us with as much chance of avoiding relegation as South Africa have of winning the second Test. We achieved that at least and the lifeline, through frayed is still intact. Here’s how Pete saw things.
Aston Villa (H)2016
In our dire situation, a win is a win and three points should be gratefully accepted – and we do, oh yes, we do. The first win since current media darlings Stoke City were seen off at the end of November saw us regain a grip on the coat tails of Newcastle United and Swansea City in the swamp that is the bottom of the Premier League. Much can change between now and the darling buds of May appearing. We could go on a blistering run a la Leicester City and pick up 30+ points between now and the final game at home to relegation rivals Chelsea. Or we could slip away with barely a murmur as Aston Villa appear to be doing after their loss at The Stadium of Light yesterday.
It depends on the calibre of footballer that arrives on Wearside in the next 28 days. The squad needs bolstering, of that there is no doubt, but which players can be tempted to sign for a club which started the season as one of the favourites to go down and who have done little to make the bookies sell their Jags and replace it with a second hand Lada.
Yesterday’s win was welcome but was against opposition so poor that it would have been an utter disgrace not to have beaten them. If this was the best that Reme Garde could produce, what a shame that he isn’t in charge at The Sports Direct. I said in the 7 that it was the old boys who got us through this, and it was. John O’Shea and Wes Brown have known little other than relegation struggles since Steve Bruce brought them to Wearside, which must be strange after a lifetime of winning things with Alex Ferguson. Brown has hardly played this year and is clearly winding down his career. Sunderland must hope that his experience and professionalism rub off on Thomas Beadling, a young central defender who may well get a game at Arsenal on Saturday. Both central defenders did well in this one. Brown may have missed the speed merchant Traore for the equaliser, but his no-nonsense defending and ability to boot the ball out gave us a relatively secure base, while O’Shea’s complete domination of Gestede meant that any chances Villa created came from their midfield.
Lee Cattermole grew into the game and was excellent in the second half, tackling, cajoling and passing the ball as if his life depended on it. With the always reliable M’Vila (we’ll forget the attempted trip on Traore) behind him, we had a reasonable base to win the ball and move it forward.
And up front we had Jermain Defoe. According to the ever reliable Sunday Mirror, he is on his way to the retirement home that is Bournemouth, swapping a crowd of 41,000 for one of 11,000. The climate may be more agreeable on the Costa del Geriatrica but if he wants s to play his football in front of a proper audience, he will stay at Sunderland. He took his two goals well. His first was a joy to behold, not least because it put us back in front. He received an excellent ball from Johnson and then stitched the ageing Joleon Lescott up beautifully before beating Guzan at his near post. A classic striker’s goal and one that spelled doom for the Villa.
His second came after a comedy of errors that would have shamed the Brandon and Byshottles Sunday League Division Three as Villa threw the ball to Cattermole who took it up to the corner flag and then from the resulting throw allowed Graham to play in Toivonen, who calmly squared it for Defoe to rattle the back of the net. If ever a goal summed up the ineptitude of the opposition that was it.
What about the others? They did OK. Nobody was totally off the pace, although Borini looked unhappy on the wing. There was plenty of effort as there had been on Wednesday and this time we were able to go on and win. Mistakes were made but that happens – our errors were nowhere near as catastrophic as those perpetrated by the visitors.
But we have no identifiable style and it always strikes me as 11 blokes playing football. Villa, for all their weaknesses, played some tidy stuff in midfield but they ran out of steam, with Grealish being the main culprit. Yet another example of a player choosing to believe what is said about him rather than focusing on performing. He is clearly the next Joe Cole/Jack Wilshere. (or Connor Wickham? MD)
There is still a long way to go and a win over Villa is nothing to get excited about – they may struggle to beat our 15 point total and could even fall below the alarmingly low 11 points that Derby County (Robbie Savage and all) achieved in 2008.
We now go into an FA Cup tie with Arsenal and I expect to see a very different team from the one that turned out yesterday with some of the younger players given a chance to show what they can do. Then, we go on to Swansea, where I expect to see at least one new player as we go into yet another crucial game. Win that one and we give ourselves a chance – lose it and we are back amongst the dead men yet again.
Villa are already there and waiting for the coffin nails to be banged in.
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I agree with Drummer. Mannone has excelled recently. And yes, we were only playing against a Villa team that is relegated. We still have a chance, and Sam Allardyce will be well aware of that.
I have always liked Cattermole, even in the days he lost his cool. He is industrious, and a natural leader.
If we sell Defoe, we lose. Full Stop. I do not expect Defoe to go anywhere unless we are relegated, there will be buyers if we go down anyway.
I also think we are straight back up material if we do go down. Why? Sam Allardyce that is why. He knows football all the way.
Does anyone have any Stats on the Bayern defender we have just bought (on the Cheap), is he any good? I wonder why he is coming to us at all.
It’s good to see Mannone reminding us that he is as a goal keeper we can trust . He seems to have rediscovered he’s confindence and I can only put that down to Big Sam as he seemed a nervous wreck ever since Pantillimon took his spot . The team played well against a Villa team that seems to have given up but we seem to be a little shapeless . If Defoe goes and isn’t replaced we deserve to go down but I think this may be just paper talk . The cup will probably be a none starter this year ,but it will be interesting to see some of the youngsters giving it a go at the Emirates . Roll on Swansea and Bournemouth , its make or break time again .
I fear the Levy could be dry… i.e. no Andros Townsend…
My coat’s next to Bill’s, I think.
…and don’t forget your hat too Bill.
I’m seeing Allardyce in the context of Don McLean this month. As in, “Buy, buy, Miss American Pie…”
You’re right. I’ll get my coat.
Every time we get a free kick within shooting range, M’Vila should tell Johnson to go away and stand in the corner while he takes it.
Totally agree John, but the quality of crosses throughout the premier league is a shocking standard, as a former winger, it does my head in.
Given the fact so few goalies come out and collect crosses and command their box these days, it’s a sin.
Totally agree. Watched Man City the other day and De bryune takes them all. Badly
The win was very welcome but we are still lacking in a lot of areas but we knew that anyway.
One thing that does infuriate me is the poor quality of crossing and free kicks. I counted 3 times yesterday when Johnson had time and space to put telling crosses into dangerous areas but didn’t clear the first man.
Our set pieces are also abysmal and makes me wonder what our millionaire prima donnas do at training all week. I was at a Cowdenbeath game last week and their crosses were hard, fast and inswinging on goal, a nightmare for all defences. It brought 3 goals.
We are far from safe and Villa have already gone but we have 2 more ‘must win’ games this month against Swansea and Bournemouth. Lets hope we have a couple of new signings and have someone who can deliver quality into dangerous areas. Not holding my breath.