Talking Points: Missed opportunities, a puzzling lack of subs, and Jude in fine voice
Yesterday at 01:00 AM
All the key talking points from yesterday's game against Blackburn Rovers.
All up, that was probably a good point – although conceding such a late goal again to drop two points feels like a missed opportunity. Truth told, the game could have been out of sight in the first half as we turned in a lacklustre display in the first 45, but a half time chat worked wonders and we could – should – have scored three or four after the break. Still, a decent point, and we go to Stoke, who hopefully won't sack their manager before we play them... Here are some of the key talking points from yesterday's game.
Another slow start
While we went into the game on the back of a decent run of results, it wasn't necessarily on the back of a run of good performances. For a while now, we've started games slowly and that continued at Ewood Park. We created nothing of any note in the first half and should have been one down already before Ohashi scored to put the home side ahead, while Blackburn also had an offside goal rightly chalked off. We were really poor in the first half – we're sitting back and letting the opposition dictate play, and there's a limit to how many times we'll be able to give the opposition a head start and still come away with something. Something needs to change tactically as it feels we're waiting to see what the opposition do before playing our own game.
Lack of clinical finishing costs us dearly
In the second half, however, we were excellent and quickly took the lead – but we had plenty of opportunities to extend it, and just couldn't take them. Mayenda's chance at the end will live long in the memory but the game was level at that point. Jobe, Mepham, Cirkin and Isidor all had decent chances that could have taken the game away from Blackburn. If we want to go up, we need to be ruthless and take more of those chances. That said, it was great to see Wilson Isidor get back on the scoresheet with an excellent strike, and hopefully that provides the boost he needs to get back on the goal trail.
Sloppy goals once again our downfall
O'Nien came back into the centre of defence to replace the injured Ballard, with Trai Hume returning to the starting XI. Unfortunately, our stand-out defensive performer this season, Chris Mepham, had a complete off day. He gave the ball away countless times in the first half, and while he improved in the second, his mistake in trying to see the ball out of play gave possession back to Blackburn in the build-up to the equaliser. It was poor at the back on occasions – Patterson maybe could have come out quicker for the equaliser too, but they were both the result of collective failings, and we seem to be conceding a few like that recently.
Change in midfield brings out best of Dan Neil
Dan Neil was fantastic yesterday. He's been improving week on week over the past month, and yesterday was the best he's played for ages. In fact, it was probably his best game in the first team. That's how good he was. This was helped by a change of shape in midfield, with Jobe dropping a bit deeper to play more alongside Neil, and the two taking turns to break, which gave Neil the space and the permission to get further forward. As well as Neil's performance, our equaliser came from Jobe's brilliant ball out from the back, which he was able to play due to being a little deeper. It'll be interesting if this was a one-off change for Blackburn or something longer-term.
Rigg's injury sours afternoon
I thought Chris Rigg looked back to his best in the second half, but an injury ended his afternoon early, and it looks like a bad one. It wasn't one that was a result of him being overplayed – it was an impact injury that could have happened at any time. Hopefully, it's nothing too major, but it looks like he'll be missing for a few weeks at least - which, of course, opens the door to someone else - most likely Adil Aouchiche, who's deserved a chance in the team.
Lack of subs leaves Le Bris open to criticism
We know Le Bris doesn't tend to make proactive subs. What we don't know is why. But when the opposition scores a late equaliser, through a sub of their own, your own subs are going to be looked at. Of course, if we hadn't conceded, it wouldn't be talked about as much, but this isn't a one-off. To only make one injury-enforced sub late in the game on Boxing Day seems crazy. We visibly tired and needed some fresh legs somewhere on the field. Of course, the issue we have is that our subs aren't anywhere near match fit as they've not been given a kick. We need to make more of our squad, and hopefully the local press pack ask Le Bris why we're not doing so, as it's getting to be a source of frustration. If it's because the manager doesn't rate the fringe players, we need an overhaul in January – otherwise, I fear we're going to completely run out of steam come March.
Patrick Roberts shows value - again
Roberts has been on the end of some ridiculous criticism this season, but he's our top assist provider and got another yesterday – and was heavily involved in Rigg's equaliser too. Let's concentrate on what Roberts does do rather than what he doesn't, as in my view he's integral to how we play, and is often central to the good things we do.
Refereeing inconsistencies – again
Bobby Madley refereed the game well, but one moment stood out in terms of referring inconsistencies. Blackburn striker Gueye was blown for offside, and booted the ball into the crowd. He seemed to get away with it as Blackburn were trailing and 'it's his own time he's wasting'. But that shouldn't come into it. Cirkin was booked in similar circumstances last weekend, and if Gueye had gone on to commit a bookable offence, he could have stayed on the field when he should have walked. It didn't affect anything, but it's frustrating to see these inconsistencies game after game.
Jude gets himself Sunderland cult hero status
Has a player ever been a Sunderland cult hero without playing for the club? I doubt it. Jude Bellingham's made it. What a boy. Altogether now…
