What were the positives and negatives from Sunderland's nervy victory over Derby County?
Today at 01:00 AM
Eliezer Mayenda's first-half strike made the difference as the Lads edged a tight game 0-1. What did our writers make of it?
Andrew Smithson says...
All together now
The celebrations between the fans and the players at the end were fantastic, and I think the current squad recognises just how important the support is when things get tricky, and appreciate also that not every club gets the same backing.
The away end was packed despite the time of year and it being midweek, and when the Lads were digging in, the noise was immense — no doubt helping tired legs to get the job done.
It feels as if both sides recognise that things are going in the right direction, and that everyone has a part to play in creating a winning atmosphere.
Turn it up to eleven, and then some more!
We're starting to see a change in Règis Le Bris' attitude towards substitutions, and I wonder if that's because he now has a few more senior options on the bench that he can turn to.
The team that began did very well and there were a lot of strong individual performances and moments, but to be able to compliment that by introducing the quality we did gave us a major advantage in the closing minutes.
Although we're short in a couple of areas, the squad is shaping up well and strength in depth could be one of our biggest assets in the coming weeks.
Wilson Isidor draws a blank...unluckily
It was pleasing to see Isidor being such a part of those full time scenes because he could've just as easily been on the floor given the way things have gone for him these last few days.
Heaven only knows what went on for his 'goal', but it could be a good thing in the long run as if he keeps his head up things will soon turn, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he now bags a few in the next couple of games instead.
A slightly nervy ending
On one hand, I was impressed at how Sunderland saw out a narrow victory on the road against a team desperate to equalise, but I also wonder if things could've been more comfortable if a touch more composure was on show?
Late goals have cost us before and whilst one of the reasons it wasn't 0-2 was through no fault of the team, there were a couple of hairy moments where hearts were in mouths.
We play another struggling side on Saturday and I'd love that to be a bit more straightforward!
John Wilson says...
A battling display
Yet again, two of the positives were the battling qualities and togetherness the team showed.
Urged on by our usual vocal support, we eked out a precious three points to keep our automatic promotion dreams alive.
Eliezer Mayenda impresses
A direct, speedy, and strong player, I was pleased he got his goal.
He always seems to make something happen and rarely passes back. He was my man of the match.
Officials in the spotlight
When Sky Sports don't know why a goal had been disallowed despite multiple replays, something's seriously wrong.
The referee started to walk back to the centre circle, no flag was raised, and the next thing you know, the goal had been disallowed!
Some inaccurate throw ins
This was mentioned last week by one of our readers and I thought, 'Surely not', but it's true — over fifty percent of our throw ins end up with the opposition in possession.
This actually links in with one of my usual negatives about our slow starts. We had our first throw within a minute and Trai Hume took an age to take it, completely slowing down any 'up and at 'em' attitude we may have had.
Guess what? It went straight to Derby County.
I'd hate to see exactly how much time Hume wasted all on his own taking a throw in, only for most of them to end up in Derby's control. One of these days, we might be two or three goals up and I can enjoy the football instead of increasing my blood pressure!
