Simon Adingra and Dominic Calvert-Lewin chipped in as the Lads drew with Leeds. What did our writers make of the game?
Calum Mills says…
Firstly, I hope everyone had a brilliant Christmas and has an excellent year ahead!
Simon Adingra makes his mark
He needed it. For me he’s been so hit and miss since we signed him, but he was brilliant.
The first touch that set up the goal was superb and the finish was equally as good. Let’s hope this is the start of the things to come!
Battling Brobbey
Another good week up top for the big man, with a brilliant first half, which just lacked the goal.
He definitely could’ve done better with the header but you can’t fault his ability to hold the ball up and bully defenders.
An injury concern for Dan Ballard
Poor Dan. Apart from Granit Xhaka, he’s been my player of the season.
I do hope the reports of a five-week layoff are extremely wide of the mark as we have some tough games coming up — and I do think Omar Alderete looks more comfortable alongside him rather than Nordi Mukiele.
A lack of chances and another slow second half
I’m a little concerned in the lack of chances we’re creating in or around the box.
The last five minutes of the game we rushed passes or were too safe — Enzo Le Fée’s first-time cross hitting a defender when in acres of space is a case in point.
We came out a little better against Brighton before quickly dropping off, but on Sunday, we were awful after the break; Leeds ran us ragged for the majority of it and we looked terrible out of possession.
Luckily, for the second week in a row, poor finishing from the opposition ensured we left with a point.
John Wilson says…
The fortress remains unbreached!
We’ve reached the end of the calendar year unbeaten at home on our return to the Premier League — which can only breed confidence among the squad and offer great encouragement to the fans.
Thirty points and fifth spot would’ve been nice but hey ho — mustn’t grumble!
Some impressive individual performances
Lutsharel Geertruida was outstanding and stood out amongst several bright performances.
Great to see Simon Adingra curling that beautiful goal in, and other notable mentions should be given to a returning Dennis Cirkin and Enzo Le Fée, who never stopped running.
I also thought Eliezer Mayenda offered something different at the end.
Disjointed passages of play
There were several times when our passing just didn’t come off.
Brian Brobbey was guilty in the first half of not being on the same page as his team mates on at least three occasions, and even Granit Xhaka was guilty of some sloppy passes.
It was one of those days when things just didn’t quite work.
The Leeds fans
Sitting as I do in the north east corner, I’m used to having to listen to the away fans giving it large. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to shut the Leeds fans up and they remained buoyant throughout.
Probably the loudest away fans this season — and this may be linked to the exodus from some of our fans with five minutes to go. I thought we’d seen the last of this annoying habit.
Jon Guy says…
We’re still unbeaten at home!
Only ourselves and the league leaders can boast an unbeaten home record — and long may it continue.
It’s some feat and although we often had our backs to the wall, the Lads kept believing and Régis Le Bris changed things at the right time.
Brobbey the battering ram
Brian Brobbey was immense in the first half and deserved to score late on in the half.
He’s a real handful and will continue to be so. He was too isolated after the break and a change of shape was needed, but his contribution is and will be immense.
Dan Ballard’s absence
We have to hope his ankle isn’t badly damaged as his value to this side was clear to see in his absence.
The back four were good but he adds physicality and I think the lads around him are better players for it.
A sloppy start to the second half
We had a really good first half but looked like we’d left the intensity in the dressing room when we came back out.
We conceded one but for the first twenty minutes of the second half, we struggled to get back into the game. Leeds’ poor finishing and decision-making helped us out but we need to keep the intensity up — maybe the fact we have the lads at AFCON and that Ballard was out has put too much onto the eleven we’re putting out week on week.
Burnout might be an issue as the season progresses, so rotation will be key.
Lars Knutsen says…
Shades of Sunderland in the visitors’ display?
Sunderland came out of the traps at the start of the campaign in a totally unexpected fashion, with a mixture of flair, determination and mild abrasiveness which identifies us as potential qualifiers for European competition.
While we were clearly missing some of our seven absent players, Leeds played surprisingly well, especially in midfield.
They took a leaf from our playbook and played in a style that was very reminiscent of ours. Imitation is a sincere form of flattery.
The Lads show their steel
We didn’t collapse despite some very good play from the visitors.
Simon Adingra’s goal was excellent but around the seventy-minute mark I messaged a friend “We’re somehow holding on. Need to get the ball forward quicker to Mayenda and Isidor. Missing the seven players who are out”.
However, the satisfying part is that we survived significant Leeds pressure and even created some half-chances at the end. This has been a hallmark of Sunderland’s season: resilience, as well as keeping our shape and focus.
A significant absence at the back
Dan Ballard’s absence showed what a massive impact we’ve got used to from him every week — both as an excellent defender but also as an attacking threat.
It’s an open question as to whether Luke O’Nien would’ve been selected if available, and recruiting a top centre back may become a priority if Ballard proves fragile in terms of recovery from injuries.
Sunderland not at their slick best
There was also some untidy play.
In left midfield, Adingra was the exception but Enzo Le Fée was quieter than usual, and even Granit Xhaka wasn’t his dominant self. The defence did OK but Dennis Cirkin took time to settle and Trai Hume was walking a tightrope in terms of fouls, picking up his fourth booking of the season.
So nothing terrible — just some cause for concern which needs to be addressed in preparation for Manchester City.
Nic Wiseman says…
A powerful display from Brian Brobbey
Brobbey was immense in the first half.
A veritable battering ram, he swatted off Leeds defenders like flies.
Simon Adingra and Dennis Cirkin impress
Adingra’s running and his goal were superb, and Cirkin fitted in well, much to my surprise.
Midfield struggles in the second half
We lost control of midfield in the second half and wayward passing almost handed Leeds a second goal.
The loss of Dan Ballard was sorely felt — I don’t think Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores that goal if Ballard was playing.
A lack of cutting edge up top
Failure to convert chances is costing us. Two gilt-edged chances went begging at the end of the first half and if ever we needed a second goal, it was yesterday.
Leeds are no mugs and a draw was probably a fair result, but there were chances for both sides to win the match.
Category: General Sports