Light, in a dark night

[97Red]

I spoke to some Mackems after the game and they genuinely couldn't believe they got 3 points from that game. Maybe 1 would have been fair, but who knows, on another day, we could have got all 3! Wishful thinking from our side perhaps! I said to them, we'll be seeing you in February in a good friendly manner. But, again I genuinely feel as if we deserved more out of that game, than we got. This might be the 10 pints talking, possibly, but when I sit down and think about it (clearing my young head as much as possible), we're only 2 games in, so talk of Pearson going upstairs is really knee jerk, in my view. Let's keep the faith for now, and see what happens over the next month or so. Sunderland definitely ain't going down, neither are us in my view. But something tells me there's a good chance we'll finish above them, and possibly Hull for that matter, if we can just get thing's to click. How many times under Lee did we find ourselves saying, how did we win that?

Nigel Pearson has kept us in this division on a budget far less than his pedocessor, and in tough times as well. We owe him at least the first 10 games minimum, possibly more! Open to opposing views

[And Its Smith]

If you concede 3 goals like that I don’t think you deserve anything at all 

[BCFCGav]

I don’t know man. Sunderland battered us from 40 mins onwards, and looked well worth their win (especially when you factor in two big Bentley saves). They (mostly) nullified us in attack from that 40 minute mark onward, and had our defence on toast. Nige needs to sort shit this month or it’s time to go. We’ve plenty enough to stay in this division, but if we haemorrhage goals like last season that may not be a given.  

[Red-Robbo]

11 minutes ago, 97Red said:

I spoke to some Mackems after the game and they genuinely couldn't believe they got 3 points from that game. Maybe 1 would have been fair, but who knows, on another day, we could have got all 3! Wishful thinking from our side perhaps! I said to them, we'll be seeing you in February in a good friendly manner. But, again I genuinely feel as if we deserved more out of that game, than we got. This might be the 10 pints talking, possibly, but when I sit down and think about it (clearing my young head as much as possible), we're only 2 games in, so talk of Pearson going upstairs is really knee jerk, in my view. Let's keep the faith for now, and see what happens over the next month or so. Sunderland definitely ain't going down, neither are us in my view. But something tells me there's a good chance we'll finish above them, and possibly Hull for that matter, if we can just get thing's to click. How many times under Lee did we find ourselves saying, how did we win that?

Nigel Pearson has kept us in this division on a budget far less than his pedocessor, and in tough times as well. We owe him at least the first 10 games minimum, possibly more! Open to opposing views

 

I agree that talk of sacking Pearson is ridiculously premature and totally knee jerk. , but I don't think we were any way near the better team. It's true, had Naismith not gifted them a goal in the third minute, we'd be sharing the spoils, but that said, had their loanee not sliced two gold-plated chances we'd be looking at a 2-5 loss.  We looked to have their beating for about 20 minutes of the first half and about 5 minutes of the second.  It was a very depressing display over all.

[bcfc01]

Just now, And Its Smith said:

If you concede 3 goals like that I don’t think you deserve anything at all 

Exactly.

A large dollop of deja vu today.

 

 

[GrahamC]

9 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

If you concede 3 goals like that I don’t think you deserve anything at all 

100%, plus Sunderland were the better side for the majority of the game, I’m amazed that any of their supporters would have thought they didn’t deserve to win.

[BCFCGav]

1 minute ago, bcfc01 said:

Exactly.

A large dollop of deja vu today.

 

 

The concerning thing for me is we make conceding look so easy. If you watch a City game, you’d think teams should be scoring three minimum every week. 95% of the rest of the football league show this is not the case.

A quick fix is needed, or I don’t think calling for Pearson’s head would be unfair. Clean sheet against Wigan next Saturday is a must (sod the League Cup, we’re never winning that this year anyway). 

[Shuffle]

29 minutes ago, 97Red said:

I spoke to some Mackems after the game and they genuinely couldn't believe they got 3 points from that game. Maybe 1 would have been fair, but who knows, on another day, we could have got all 3! Wishful thinking from our side perhaps! I said to them, we'll be seeing you in February in a good friendly manner. But, again I genuinely feel as if we deserved more out of that game, than we got. This might be the 10 pints talking, possibly, but when I sit down and think about it (clearing my young head as much as possible), we're only 2 games in, so talk of Pearson going upstairs is really knee jerk, in my view. Let's keep the faith for now, and see what happens over the next month or so. Sunderland definitely ain't going down, neither are us in my view. But something tells me there's a good chance we'll finish above them, and possibly Hull for that matter, if we can just get thing's to click. How many times under Lee did we find ourselves saying, how did we win that?

Nigel Pearson has kept us in this division on a budget far less than his pedocessor, and in tough times as well. We owe him at least the first 10 games minimum, possibly more! Open to opposing views

I think they were just being polite as they were far better than us today.

[Supersonic Robin]

I thought we looked to be the side of greater ability today. That's not to say we necessarily deserved the win - there are other elements that come into winning a football match beyond pure ability.

It's hard to say whether we actually "deserved" more. Should we have lost today? IMO, no. But as others have said, if you give away soft goals and surrender all control over the match for long periods, then you invite the possibility of leaving with 0 points.

I suppose you could flip the question around - does a team who concede 3 very poor goals deserve anything out of a game? (regardless of how well/badly they play outside of those 3 goals)

[And Its Smith]

16 minutes ago, RudiRed said:

We look like we've made little progress which is the biggest concern.

Absolutely.  Pearson cannot seem to improve this defence.  3 of the back 5 are his men.  Two of the first choice midfielders are his men as well.  Normally we start the season well then drift off. Let’s hope we aren’t starting it badly and then drifting!!

[Pezo]

They completely dominated us for a good 20 mins where we just kept giving the ball away. You can't do that against any side in this league and expect any points.

[fgrsimon]

38 minutes ago, RudiRed said:

We look like we've made little progress which is the biggest concern.

That and the fact that Reading and Birmingham, who most people had as near certs for relegation, are already 4 points better off... 

[Super]

They battered us 2nd half. Jack Clarke was easily the best player on the pitch and the 2 up front are a real handful.

[Northern Red]

1 hour ago, 97Red said:

I spoke to some Mackems after the game and they genuinely couldn't believe they got 3 points from that game. Maybe 1 would have been fair, but who knows, on another day, we could have got all 3! Wishful thinking from our side perhaps! I said to them, we'll be seeing you in February in a good friendly manner. But, again I genuinely feel as if we deserved more out of that game, than we got. This might be the 10 pints talking, possibly, but when I sit down and think about it (clearing my young head as much as possible), we're only 2 games in, so talk of Pearson going upstairs is really knee jerk, in my view. Let's keep the faith for now, and see what happens over the next month or so. Sunderland definitely ain't going down, neither are us in my view. But something tells me there's a good chance we'll finish above them, and possibly Hull for that matter, if we can just get thing's to click. How many times under Lee did we find ourselves saying, how did we win that?

Nigel Pearson has kept us in this division on a budget far less than his pedocessor, and in tough times as well. We owe him at least the first 10 games minimum, possibly more! Open to opposing views

Nice idea for a thread but I fear you've misjudged the narrative. We've lost 2 games therefore everything and everybody involved is crap.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

8 minutes ago, Super said:

They battered us 2nd half. Jack Clarke was easily the best player on the pitch and the 2 up front are a real handful.

I think till 2-1 we where the better side.

Then at 2-2 we just dissolved. 

Some things to be really pleased about, some good quick passing and movement going forward . But defensively we looked like we had little communication and understanding. Zak still looks a weak link to me. And I not singling him out there where others at fault at the back as well today .

And I felt the lack of a good defensive midfielder should today.

I think yes we lost first two games but all in  all it's not all bad  

COYR

[BasSavage88]

3 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

Nice idea for a thread but I fear you've misjudged the narrative. We've lost 2 games therefore everything and everybody involved is crap.

It's not 2 games. It's the continuation of the shit from last year

[AshtonRobin21]

My main concern from today was that Sunderland looked a threat every single time they attacked. 

Pritchard was at the centre of every attack, and he is the supply line. You stop him, you limit their chances  Yet we couldn't work it out.

Players like him need to be man marked out of the game. But he kept getting the ball in dangerous areas time and time again. 

The second goal was a complete embarrassment. The time Simms had in the box against Vyner. It's as though time stood still (which Vyner literally did). 

From an attacking perspective, I think we look great. We are dangerous, but seem to need to score 3 goals to even have a chance of winning games currently. 

[Super]

6 minutes ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

I think till 2-1 we where the better side.

Then at 2-2 we just dissolved. 

Some things to be really pleased about, some good quick passing and movement going forward . But defensively we looked like we had little communication and understanding. Zak still looks a weak link to me. And I not singling him out there where others at fault at the back as well today .

And I felt the lack of a good defensive midfielder should today.

I think yes we lost first two games but all in  all it's not all bad  

COYR

We looked wide open all afternoon and yes we definitely need a DM. Also I was shocked at how bullied we were in defence, Every long ball and cross we failed to deal with. I thought first half we played pretty well.

[Northern Red]

8 minutes ago, BasSavage88 said:

It's not 2 games. It's the continuation of the shit from last year

We could lose every game 10-0 and we still wouldn't ever be as bad as you and the other resident miseries on here make out.

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

2 minutes ago, AshtonRobin21 said:

My main concern from today was that Sunderland looked a threat every single time they attacked. 

Pritchard was at the centre of every attack, and he is the supply line. You stop him, you limit their chances  Yet we couldn't work it out.

Players like him need to be man marked out of the game. But he kept getting the ball in dangerous areas time and time again. 

The second goal was a complete embarrassment. The time Simms had in the box against Vyner. It's as though time stood still (which Vyner literally did). 

From an attacking perspective, I think we look great. We are dangerous, but seem to need to score 3 goals to even have a chance of winning games currently. 

I love the idea that any goal can be prevented.  I believe Liverpool conceded two goals today and that Virgil Van Dijk made a mistake for one of them…

[AshtonRobin21]

Just now, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

I love the idea that any goal can be prevented.  I believe Liverpool conceded two goals today and that Virgil Van Dijk made a mistake for one of them…

All Vyner needed to do was keep guiding Simms away from goal. 

Watch the replays and you'll see Vyner slows down before Simms has full control of the ball and allows Simms time to cut back in. 

He is not good enough.

Please don't put Van Dijk and Zak Vyner in the same conversation. Van Dijk makes a mistake once every 100 games. 

[Beni71]

1 hour ago, BCFCGav said:

I don’t know man. Sunderland battered us from 40 mins onwards, and looked well worth their win (especially when you factor in two big Bentley saves). They (mostly) nullified us in attack from that 40 minute mark onward, and had our defence on toast. Nige needs to sort shit this month or it’s time to go. We’ve plenty enough to stay in this division, but if we haemorrhage goals like last season that may not be a given.  

We definitely lost control in the 2nd half where we couldn’t retain control of possession.

Despite that Martins miss from 6 yards and Wilson’s miss kick at the far post from 8 yards were two excellent chances to get something from the game.

[Charlie BCFC]

2 hours ago, 97Red said:

I spoke to some Mackems after the game and they genuinely couldn't believe they got 3 points from that game. Maybe 1 would have been fair, but who knows, on another day, we could have got all 3! Wishful thinking from our side perhaps! I said to them, we'll be seeing you in February in a good friendly manner. But, again I genuinely feel as if we deserved more out of that game, than we got. This might be the 10 pints talking, possibly, but when I sit down and think about it (clearing my young head as much as possible), we're only 2 games in, so talk of Pearson going upstairs is really knee jerk, in my view. Let's keep the faith for now, and see what happens over the next month or so. Sunderland definitely ain't going down, neither are us in my view. But something tells me there's a good chance we'll finish above them, and possibly Hull for that matter, if we can just get thing's to click. How many times under Lee did we find ourselves saying, how did we win that?

Nigel Pearson has kept us in this division on a budget far less than his pedocessor, and in tough times as well. We owe him at least the first 10 games minimum, possibly more! Open to opposing views

Think a draw may have been fair but thought Sunderland edged it due to the midfield battle. Both attacks looked good and both defences looked all over the place as I thought all goals were gifts

[North London Red]

It’s probably too early for alarm bells to be ringing particularly loudly, but so far we’ve played one of the four teams in this season’s Championship who finished below us in last season’s Championship, and the team who finished fifth in league one, and taken zero points with five goals conceded. The odds on us being relegated have shortened to 5-2 with some bookmakers. 
 

That said, the last time we lost both of our first two games was 2015-16 (Sheffield Wednesday away, Brentford at home) and we ended that season 18th. 

[Super]

5 minutes ago, RudiRed said:

I think we are in big trouble.

Based on today it's hard to disagree.

[pillred]

2 hours ago, 97Red said:

I spoke to some Mackems after the game and they genuinely couldn't believe they got 3 points from that game. Maybe 1 would have been fair, but who knows, on another day, we could have got all 3! Wishful thinking from our side perhaps! I said to them, we'll be seeing you in February in a good friendly manner. But, again I genuinely feel as if we deserved more out of that game, than we got. This might be the 10 pints talking, possibly, but when I sit down and think about it (clearing my young head as much as possible), we're only 2 games in, so talk of Pearson going upstairs is really knee jerk, in my view. Let's keep the faith for now, and see what happens over the next month or so. Sunderland definitely ain't going down, neither are us in my view. But something tells me there's a good chance we'll finish above them, and possibly Hull for that matter, if we can just get thing's to click. How many times under Lee did we find ourselves saying, how did we win that?

Nigel Pearson has kept us in this division on a budget far less than his pedocessor, and in tough times as well. We owe him at least the first 10 games minimum, possibly more! Open to opposing views

We got exactly what we deserved from that game overall and that was nothing, that's my honest brutal assesment, first half fifty fifty second half well where do I start, too slow, too negative, took 10 passes to advance 10 yards, knocked off the ball too easily and when players did try to move forward they had no attacking options, look I could go on but I think you get my point, and yes if you think we deserved anything from that game then yes 10 pints is probably the reason, sorry to be so harsh but at my age I have to say it as I see it and today especially the second half we just werent very good.

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

39 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

We could lose every game 10-0 and we still wouldn't ever be as bad as you and the other resident miseries on here make out.

In quite a long time on OTIB- I have cannot think of a more polarised person than you.

It's like you cannot accept ANYTHING that could possibly be even a mild critique of Nigel Pearson.

So in the tradition of OTIB, I ask: are you his love child or does he have something on you or...

are you Nigel Pearson?

[Northern Red]

12 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

In quite a long time on OTIB- I have cannot think of a more polarised person than you.

It's like you cannot accept ANYTHING that could possibly be even a mild critique of Nigel Pearson.

So in the tradition of OTIB, I ask: are you his love child or does he have something on you or...

are you Nigel Pearson?

Wrong on all counts. I've supported every manager until I feel they are no longer deserving of it. Pearson isn't at that stage, nowhere near.

That doesn't mean he's beyond criticism, but I can't be doing with the constant performative histronics and proclamations of oblivion from certain quarters after every setback. Again, that's regardless of who the manager is and I'll be consistent with it, unlike some people I could think of.

Edited August 6, 2022 by Northern Red

[pillred]

49 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

We could lose every game 10-0 and we still wouldn't ever be as bad as you and the other resident miseries on here make out.

That does come accross as a bit happy clappy, we have been mostly bad the last two seasons and today offered nothing to get exited about, we are quite rightly piss*d off and dissapointed after all the pre season optimism, today we really were crap second half especially and after two years under our present manager even with the budget restraints I think most of us well certainly me expected a little more improvement.

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

1 minute ago, Northern Red said:

Wrong on all counts. I've supported every manager until I feel they are no longer deserving of it. Pearson isn't at that stage, nowhere near.

That doesn't mean he's beyond criticism, but I can't be doing with the constant performative histronics from certain quarters after every setback. Again, that's regardless of who the manager is, unlike some people I could think of.

11 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

Fair enough NR

 

But for the record :

QUOTE ME ONE OF YOUR POSTS WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN GENUINELY CRITICAL

genuinely- let us have a record for the record of a time you havent just jumped on anyone who dares criticise Nige

 

[DT The Optimist]

That centre forward  for them today beat us up all afternoon…I said to my mate he , made Chris Martin look totally pedestrian…and I am a supporter of CM. 
whether Pearson and the club like the loan market or not, we need quality and If selling a crown jewel is needed to fund it.. so be it.

Wigan and Luton are big games. 4 points needed to restore some calm.

 

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

Hey @Northern Red

Care to answer me?

I've just taken a look at 45 pages of your posts  and you clearly are obsessed with the Conservative party and equally obsessed with anyone who criticises Nige in any way shape or form.

How am I wrong when I suggested you are entirely polarised and steadfastly refuse to accept any criticism of NP whatsoever? 

 

[Swede]

I thought we opened them up a few times quite easily in the first half. We got a little lucky with going ahead but as we tired badly in midfield they took a stranglehold of the midfield and that was that.

Its early days but I think Pearson got the tactics wrong today and Alex Neil won that match hands down.

I thought come the end our team was reminiscent of a Lee Johnson side just devoid of shape and purpose.

I am surprised NP didn't bring on King instead of Conway as the midfield was really struggling at that point.

The plus points today were Sykes and Scott. Sykes really performed well with a lot of energy going forward and Scott was unplayable at times in the midfield.

The minus points for me was Wilson and Naismith. Its a big step up to the Championship from League Two for Wilson and he was found wanting. Naismith, though a good footballer he is, his height and pace caught him out a few times today. Got caught out with awareness and pace for their first goal and got beaten in the air for the third.

The subs bench really said it all today. Disjointed, with two RWB's, Klose, Wells and Conway. Hardly inspiring. Why not a left sided player like Pring? Why have both Tanner and Wilson there?

Still it's early days and whilst I feel we are making progress I just feel we are a little undercooked.

[Northern Red]

5 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

Hey @Northern Red

Care to answer me?

I've just taken a look at 45 pages of your posts  and you clearly are obsessed with the Conservative party and equally obsessed with anyone who criticises Nige in any way shape or form.

How am I wrong when I suggested you are entirely polarised and steadfastly refuse to accept any criticism of NP whatsoever? 

 

Not how I'd be spending my Saturday night, but whatever floats your boat.

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

Just now, Northern Red said:

Not how I'd be spending my Saturday night, but whatever floats your boat.

Irrelevant

 

I've called you out and either justify your statements or be seen to be FOS on a long term basis. I'm betting on the latter.

[Northern Red]

Just now, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

Irrelevant

 

I've called you out and either justify your statements or be seen to be FOS on a long term basis. I'm betting on the latter.

Fine, you crack on.

At least I'm consistent with my approach regardless of who the manager is. Because we all know that isn't the case where you're concerned, don't we?

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

15 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

Fine, you crack on.

At least I'm consistent with my approach regardless of who the manager is. Because we all know that isn't the case where you're concerned, don't we?

Yep- I'll crack on and keep you updated until such time as you respond to my perfectly reasonable  request.

So- as for consistence- yep, I pretty much have been about  Managers and the owner  on OTIB since day 1 on here - but,hey, the truth is out there so go take a good look at my record as opposed to making stuff up to worm your way out of a deeply awkward situation of your own making. Let me know when you uncover something but sadly I get a feeling you aren't that genuine and you'll do what most others have done when I call them out- go missing.

 

[Cityboy1954]

4 hours ago, Super said:

They battered us 2nd half. Jack Clarke was easily the best player on the pitch and the 2 up front are a real handful.

Watched Everton v Chelsea that lad Ellis better zhan anything they had upfront .

[Wanderingred]

No idea what game those Sunderland fans were watching.. perhaps they were trying to be diplomatic?
 

We are so so weak mentally. We got our noses deservedly in front then immediately imploded by giving away a soft goal. As soon as they scored their second, it was pretty much guaranteed that we’d go on to lose the game wasn’t it? Predictable, sloppy, poor, pedestrian, lacklustre, weak, lacking in leadership… all words that have described this team over the last 2 seasons and early signs are that it’s going to be the same story, with lots of late goals conceded and leads thrown away. Let’s hope there are three teams worse than us.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

8 hours ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

Irrelevant

 

I've called you out and either justify your statements or be seen to be FOS on a long term basis. I'm betting on the latter.

FOS ?? 

 

[Alex_BCFC]

They hammered us for a lot of the 2nd half and deserved the win.

The worst thing about first two games is how poorly we’ve managed being ahead in both games. Obviously much worse yesterday. 

[And Its Smith]

Ultimately the jury is massively out on Pearson. It has to be.  Anyone who says they ‘know’ he’s the man to take us to top 8 in time is kidding themselves at the moment.  Just because he is calm in interview, no cliches etc doesn’t mean he knows how to sort out a defence.  Let’s hope him and his coaches sort it out soon.

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

22 minutes ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

FOS ?? 

 

full of ....

[Charlie BCFC]

9 hours ago, pillred said:

That does come accross as a bit happy clappy, we have been mostly bad the last two seasons and today offered nothing to get exited about, we are quite rightly piss*d off and dissapointed after all the pre season optimism, today we really were crap second half especially and after two years under our present manager even with the budget restraints I think most of us well certainly me expected a little more improvement.

Disagree with this, actually thought we were a lot better than this stage last season. Going forward we’re still a good side even without Semenyo, at the back and in the midfield is where are problems were today. Really isn’t worth throwing the toys out of the pram over two games when reality is we have 44 games left

[Rocking Red Cyril]

28 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

full of ....

Oh yes 

Sorry Marina was obvious 

[97Red]

It's quite possible I come across a more diplomatic bunch of Sunderland fans! I do agree with most of the points raised. Especially the continuation of last season's inability to manage a lead. The defensive frailties are still there, and they need to be addressed, and quickly. We can't be shipping 5 goals in two games against a promotion side and a team that finished below us last season! 

[pillred]

1 hour ago, Charlie BCFC said:

Disagree with this, actually thought we were a lot better than this stage last season. Going forward we’re still a good side even without Semenyo, at the back and in the midfield is where are problems were today. Really isn’t worth throwing the toys out of the pram over two games when reality is we have 44 games left

I agree it's far too early to panic, but the things we were doing last season that cost us games were on display again yesterday I really hope I'm wrong but unless there is a fundamental change in the way we set up for games I think those prophising doom may well actually be right this year. And a lot better than last season? wouldn't be hard would it.

Edited August 7, 2022 by pillred
Spelling

[Northern Red]

12 hours ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

Yep- I'll crack on and keep you updated until such time as you respond to my perfectly reasonable  request.

So- as for consistence- yep, I pretty much have been about  Managers and the owner  on OTIB since day 1 on here - but,hey, the truth is out there so go take a good look at my record as opposed to making stuff up to worm your way out of a deeply awkward situation of your own making. Let me know when you uncover something but sadly I get a feeling you aren't that genuine and you'll do what most others have done when I call them out- go missing.

 

Yes, because it's definitely me who looks worse out of this rather odd exchange, and not the bloke who spends his Saturday night trawling through months' worth of my posts. Perfectly normal behaviour that.