Match date: Wednesday 29 January 2014.
Final Score: Sunderland 1 – 0 Stoke
Reflection…
Wait for it… Sunderland are finally out of the relegation zone!
Not a classic match by any stretch of the imagination, but a great result regardless made all the more pleasing given that our “not-signed-at-the-time-but-has-signed-now” new striker, Argentina international Ignacio Scocco, was watching on from the stands.
Yes, the nay-sayers will say that we only won by a single goal against a Stoke side – not without problems of their own – who found themselves down to ten-men early in the second-half following the sending-off of N’Zonzi, however at this stage of the season it’s all about ‘winning ugly’ as they say.
Oh, and a clean sheet to boot!
Not that we played ugly Football by the way! Gus has the side playing some quite lovely, purposeful football at the moment, and in this fixture we – for the better part of the game – were comfortable in possession, however we did find ourselves under unnecessary pressure from time to time due to needlessly giving the ball away.
Anyway… Points over performance is the way forward!
I would like to give a special mention to one Jozy Altidore. As we all know, he has taken quite a lot of criticism since he joined the club because of his lack of goals, and even though he did not score in the game, he played the big centre-forward / target man role very well in my opinion and made life very uncomfortable for the Stoke centre-halves.
That’s a little more like it…
So, in closing it’s heartening to see the side going from strength-to-strength… Long may it continue.
My Man Of The Match: Vito Mannone – Some vital saves to ensure all three points for the lads. Quality keeper.
Next up for the lads in Red & White – the noisy neighbours up the road at the stadium formerly known as the ‘Sports Direct Arena’.
Bring it on! I just hope that I am as confident come 2.45pm on Saturday afternoon!?
😉
Always believe!
Chris
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