Sunderland Away

Yankee_Jack

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
Based on his prematch, it seems that Williams has taken notice of stamina levels and is putting methods in place to correct. We certainly saw a higher collective intensity in the first half. Although, Grimes was dogging it for a while and Pato at his age is not going to be buzzing around like a chain saw. Pato was his typical self. Allen showed immense leadership in establishing the standard. Maybe next match we see Cooper in place of Pato. Fulton is not the solution overall as he seems to lack the pace required. Time will tell, but at least the train is back on the tracks
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
With other teams around and below us in the table also winning, today's three pointer was as vital as it was deserved. Some stats:

POSSESSION: 55-45 SHOTS: 13-13 OT: 5-8 CORNERS: 4-11 FOULS: 8-15 GOALS: 1-2

Our shots on target and corners superiority was gratifying to see but I was equally pleased to note the foul count. I've noticed that all the top teams in the various divisions are quite happy to dish it out if it helps them protect a lead or stop momentum and we should be doing the same. When Ivor was player manager at Ponty, whilst he didn't outwardly advovate foul play, he always turned a blind eye to any which our dark arts players inflicted on the opposition deeming it a necessary part of the game. It is.

We were superb in the first half, light years better than our recent performances, and we should have put the game to bed then. But we didn't and at least Williams recognised this saying that we should be aiming to control games for longer. He's absolutely right of course. 45 minute displays are no use at all. If we can perform as we did in the first half in more or less every game for 90 minutes, the future looks bright. Well done today, everyone.
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
ivoralljack said:
If we can perform as we did in the first half in more or less every game for 90 minutes, the future looks bright
Click to expand...
Upon reflection that might sound like a tall order but even further reflection says it's not. Our players are professionals, which means every moment of their footballing lives should see them working to improve their weaknesses - to become as good as they can be in every aspect of the game. It's what they get paid to do. So do it! That's what breeds success and, as the old saying has it, the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.

I'm not a data man but I wonder how our stats for both scoring and conceding goals in the last 15 minutes of games compares with other teams. I'm guessing we'll be low down on both counts.
 
CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
ivoralljack said:
Our shots on target and corners superiority was gratifying to see but I was equally pleased to note the foul count.
Click to expand...
Not only fouls but tackles as well.

Attempted tackles

Sunderland 18 - Swansea 32

Successful tackles

Sunderland 11 - Swansea 24

Tackle success

Sunderland 61% - Swansea 75%


Some other interesting stats:

Aerials won

Sunderland 16 - Swansea 18

Aerials won %

Sunderland 47% - Swansea 53%


Crosses

Sunderland 21 - Swansea 30

Accurate crosses

Sunderland 2 - Swansea 10

Big chances

Sunderland 2 - Swansea 5

Shots inside box

Sunderland 7 - Swansea 10

Interceptions

Sunderland 9 - Swansea 19

Aside from possession and passes completed, the Swans outperformed Sunderland in every other key statistic.
 
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