When Jermain Defoe put us ahead, we were surprised given the run of play. When some decent second half pressure led to his second, superbly finished goal, we saw the heaven that is four post storm six games. After the utterly wretched defending that turned the 2-0 lead into a 3-2 defeat, you can expect Pete Sixsmith to be harsh about what happened next when he delivers his considered verdict. Here’s his traditional seven-worder …
September 24 Sunderland (1) 2 Crystal Palace (0) 3 Shambolic defending, barely of Wearside League quality
EFL Cup 3rd Round: September 21 QPR (0) 1 Sunderland (0) 2 *Paddy McNair our new Defoe? No but…
September 18: Tottenham Hotspur 1 (0) Sunderland 0 (0) Point lost thanks to traditional defensive howler
September 12 Sunderland 0 (0) Everton 3 (0) Torn apart in an abysmal second half
August 27. Southampton 1 (0) Sunderland 1 (0) Disappointing at the end, as ever here
August 24. EFL Cup 2nd Round: Sunderland 1 (0) Shrewsbury Town 0 (0) Poor game settled by an excellent goal
August 21: Sunderland 1 (0) Middlesbrough 2 (2) Another season of struggle on the cards
August 13: Man City (1) 2 Sunderland (0) 1 Held them well but tired legs told
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I am coming to the conclusion that we have no ” on-field ” leaders. I think some people underestimate this part of sport. I remember how important it was when I played [ very minor ] football, and it has to be even more vital at PL level.
Cattermole used to do it, but he has been missing a lot. This leaves only John O’Shea likely to do the talking that is so necessary.
I think this may be why we are so inclined to concede late goals, and fail so often to hold onto a lead.
Not sure what Malcolm was watching.
I’m absolutely shellshocked, that was a new low point in supporting that wretched team . We’re all used to their pathetic , spineless capitulations after going behind , but for it to happen imediately after getting into a solid match winning position is beyond belief . Too busy patting themselves on the back after Defoes second ( who must be wondering , ‘ what the hell am I doing here ‘ ) to even set up properly . To compound it with a total collapse afterwards is a disgrace . We’re the laughing stock of the division again and that was a turning point, from a terrible season to a wretched , putrid embarrisment . Six games in and we are done for .
I know he scored twice and might have been protecting a knock, but I thought Defoe looked less than 100% interested in the first half especially. It reminded me of Kevin Phillips in his last season here.
Sorry Malcolm , I disagree . Defoe did his job tremendously well considering the scraps he was feeding on . If the rest of the team , especially the ‘ defence ‘ did theirs we would have won .