Martin O’Neill

Martin’s Musings on SAFC v Aston Villa: O’Neill waits for balls to drop

by
Jake's imagination

…

Many of those there today thought this was a better performance – abject as opposed to pathetic. We attacked more and both Johnson and Sessegnon showed an improvement, being disappointing as opposed to very disappointing. We know that the club looks at and reacts to this website as there was a total absence of pre match and half time sprinklers popping up so we are grateful that the manager should take time out of his busy day to send us a personal message.
What follows is his positive spin on what was another frustrating day for those in the stands.

Read more

Crosstalk: Celtic tell Salut! Sunderland to be patient with Martin O’Neill

by
Jake on the art of communication

Stephen Goldsmith writes: that defeat on Tuesday was hard to take. Not because it was ‘Boro, as I don’t particularly class this fixture as any sort of grudge match. There was a spell – when Bryan Robson was in charge – where it felt like a derby match, but it hadn’t previous to that and it hasn’t since. Not to me anyway.

No, the disappointment was the manner of the defeat. The toothless and uncreative performances in the league this season can be glossed over by the fact that we have lost only once – to the champions – and that our draws aren’t individually bad results. Spread those fixtures out over the season and drawing them seems reasonable. Tuesday night wasn’t good enough, however. Not at all.

Read more

Martin’s Musings on an excruciating defeat: Middlesbrough’s ‘free spirit’ leaves SAFC ‘disappointed’

by
Jake's imagination

Disapppointed, it is fair to say, was a word heard often on Steve Bruce’s lips. It annoyed many supporters no end. And it somehow seems entirely the wrong response to this latest setback in the fortunes of Sunderland AFC, implying as it does that we would have progressed further in this uncommonly winnable of competitions if only all our flair, sense of adventure and endeavour had paid off. As opposed to the reason for the exit being, as Pete Sixsmith called, is ‘the most inept performance since the last most inept performance, clueless and brainless’. Let us hear what the boss had to say in the knowledge that sterner analysis is in the minds of others …

Read more

Martin’s Musings on Stoke City 0 Sunderland 0

by
Jake's imagination

Martin O’Neill was cautious again with his starting line-up, Sess on the bench and Catts in the team with just Fletcher forward. The radio reactions were predictable perhaps, Gary Bennett happy with the point, praising the defence and Colback in particular, some supporters happy with another point, but just as many critical with the lack of creativity and attacking ambition. “This was the worst ever Premier League game I’ve seen,” said one. “Don’t wait up for MOTD” our own Pete Sixsmith advises. The manager explains his thinking in his regular post match e-mail……

Read more

Martin’s Musings on Sunderland 1 v Newcastle 1

by
Jake's imagination

Can’t really argue with anything that the manager has to say in his after match verdict, delivered personally to M. Salut. His thoughts echo those of the majority of red and white fans leaving the ground and on the radio phone ins. The lack of penetration and the failure to threaten the opposition goal on more than the odd occasion is something that the coaching staff must address and address quickly. That it took a player in lime green to put the ball in the net will not be lost on them. His word of thanks to the supporters will be appreciated but won’t distract from their concerns. Over to the Boss.

Martin O’Neill delivers his post-match e-mail verdict

Read more

Martin’s Musings from Manchester City: disappointment after three minutes that lasted another 90

by

Jake's imagination

Martin O’Neill highlights Cuellar’s challenge as the turning point of the game. That it came after only three minutes in such a dangerous position, is something no doubt he and his backroom staff will discuss with the team. Whether or not it was necessary at all will also be considered. Of just as much concern will surely be the ineffectiveness of the midfield and the lack of goalscoring opportunities created. Manchester City have strength in depth and a wealth of talent at their disposal but despite the endeavours of the Lads on the pitch in red and white, City were worthy winners. In his personal letter to Monsieur Salut the manager expresses his post match feelings …

Read more

Salut! Reflections: Fletcher for Scotland, Bramble’s form and Villa’s Darren bloody Bent

by
Stephen Goldsmith ponders Fletcher, Bramble and Bent

Stephen Goldsmith writes: I can’t believe I’m about to venture into Darren Bent territory once more. Well actually, I can. He simply doesn’t make it easy for us Sunderland fans not to. There are two developments directly involving Sunderland to discuss on Salut! Reflections this week, with Darren Bent being another. Let’s get to it…

Read more

Martin’s Musings on SAFC Wigan:

by
'About time too!' screams Jake

It could all have been so much different. After three minutes and then again after fifteen, Simon Mignolet won this game for Sunderland. He did what he is paid to do but these early, crucial saves meant that Stephen Fletcher’s fifth goal in four games got the Lads their first league win of the season. Whether McClean’s cross was intentional or whether it was meant as an attempt on goal only he knows for sure, but there was no doubt about the clinical way the chance was put away.

Martin O’Neill delivers his post-match e-mail after today’s first League victory of the season.

Read more

Goldy’s Logic: Is Cattermole to Sunderland what Vieira was to Arsenal?

by

 

Catts by Jake

When Patrick Vieira smashed his elbow into Darren Williams in the opening game of the season in August 2000, it was an act of aggression we had come to expect from the fiery Frenchman. The subsequent red card that followed was to be his fifth in four seasons, yet amazingly, fast forward two days to a match at Anfield and Graham Poll ensured that statistic would rise to six in four seasons. There appeared to be nowhere to go for Vieira from there. Well there was, to pastures new and away from the Premier League. Two sendings off in three days takes some doing.

Read more

Salut! Reflections: Rose’s desire to leave Spurs, Sessegnon’s form questioned

by

Stephen Goldsmith writes: Recent discussions between Monsieur Salut and myself concluded that this feature could be a functional way of giving contributors a topical voice. I say discussion, Monsieur may suggest it was more a one-sided pitch akin to Tony Soprano’s boys popping round for a chat. Monday in itself provided plenty of material for debate but I held back to try and maybe do a summary at the week’s end. Since then, it has been reported that James McFadden is training with the club and I’m going to ignore suggestions from Mr O’Neill that he plans to move Craig Gardner back into midfield, in the hope that it was my imagination that I read it in the first place.

Read more