Doing it by numbers..V Shrewsury away Sat 22nd Jan. 3'oclock

[Worthy4England]

Doubly fair play to Dion only two days after the birth of his second child. Bravo Sir

Delf musta hid behind his Pampers. Never been the same...

[GhostoftheBok]

The main thing about that goal is it came after a period of playing it on the deck and because we actually got the ball to the feet of a forward.

When we pass the ball we look a good side. When we go too direct we look poor.

[Worthy4England]

^^ The main thing about the goal is - it was a goal!

[GhostoftheBok]

Sunderland haven't lost away since November 2nd.

Nice easy win for us next game.

[sonicthewhite]

Sunderland haven't lost away since November 2nd.

Nice easy win for us next game.

We'll shit 'em

[BWFC_Insane]

The main thing about that goal is it came after a period of playing it on the deck and because we actually got the ball to the feet of a forward.

When we pass the ball we look a good side. When we go too direct we look poor.

It’s not like a move carved them up. It was an individual goal that was outstanding. When we play at pace and go at sides we look good. When we play slow and sideways we look very poor.

The major thing the last two games have shown is how to win games on the margins. What counts is clean sheets and goals. The rest is largely irrelevant. And two clean sheets produce two wins.

We won two games without the bulk of possession. That shows how we don’t have to be dominating possession to win.

[GhostoftheBok]

We'll shit 'em

100%

[GhostoftheBok]

It’s not like a move carved them up.

Precisely what it was. We cut through them and found a way down the right, forced a rushed clearance that the high line allowed us to pressure back to a forward, who found a ball to feet for the forward in space.

Entirely a pass and press chance.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Evatt postmatch...
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/1 ... bury-town/

I'm delighted for Dion to get off the mark. There's nothing better than to score in front of what was a magnificent support.

You always have to work hard to win away from home. I think they were five or six unbeaten, you have to dig in, defend your box well, then take your opportunities when you make them.

We're still building our confidence levels. The change of shape has given us a bit more connection in terms of the way we defend. And on the ball we will improve as that confidence comes.

First and foremost we have to be hard to beat. You have to show effort and commitment and we did that today in abundance.

I'm not saying I’m a prophet but I did say in October we were going to go through a difficult time, suffer and struggle. I knew it would be hard, and it was. But with the backing of the board we have managed to rebuild the squad and I think it looks pretty strong again now.

I'm not going to rest on my laurels, we have loads of work to do, and to keep everyone in one piece would be nice. Once we get Kachunga, Isgrove, Sheehan, Xav and we add another midfield player, that is going to look strong.

Belief is still coming but for the last couple of games hard work and making ourself harder to beat was the main thing. Too many times this season we have been the masters of our own demise, giving away stupid goals with individual errors. We needed to start defending with our lives – and we've done that today.

[GhostoftheBok]

One thing worth adding, Morley can be a proper player. Didn't have a good game today, but you can see that some of his issues stemmed from having been playing in League Two recently. He is stroking too many passes that he should be punching into players; because he's been in a group where the first touch of players around him required that. I'm not saying we are in any way exceptional, but this is a better group than Rochdale have and he needs to trust the touch of the lads around him. That's an immediate fix he can make that will speed up our transition play. His technical game is easily good enough to just flip that switch if the coaches pick him up on it.

Longer term stuff is his pass appreciation and defensive awareness, but you can see he has a high ceiling for this level.

[nicholaldo]

The main thing about that goal is it came after a period of playing it on the deck and because we actually got the ball to the feet of a forward.

When we pass the ball we look a good side. When we go too direct we look poor.

It’s not like a move carved them up. It was an individual goal that was outstanding. When we play at pace and go at sides we look good. When we play slow and sideways we look very poor.

The major thing the last two games have shown is how to win games on the margins. What counts is clean sheets and goals. The rest is largely irrelevant.And two clean sheets produce two wins.

We won two games without the bulk of possession. That shows how we don’t have to be dominating possession to win.

And, as always, players. I doubt we'd have picked up the results we have if we'd still had Doyle up front, if Jones hadn't returned, if Senior rather than Fossey was playing right-back/right wing-back, etc.

[nicholaldo]

[Bruce Rioja]

Or Jaaskelainen even, the misfiring shithouse.

Trouble is, the kid wants to be Ederson. So, unlike with Jussi, it'll matter.

Maybe he does. However, it took him all of five minutes against Ipswich to realise that he's at exactly the wrong club to start playing tippy-tappy with the centre backs.

[BWFC_Insane]

It’s not like a move carved them up.

Precisely what it was. We cut through them and found a way down the right, forced a rushed clearance that the high line allowed us to pressure back to a forward, who found a ball to feet for the forward in space.

Entirely a pass and press chance.

The ball to Charles was behind him and he had to turn and hit it on the half volley. A superb individual goal. But presenting it as us opening them up is simply wrong.

[officer_dibble]

Doubly fair play to Dion only two days after the birth of his second child. Bravo Sir

Delf musta hid behind his Pampers. Never been the same...

I think Delfs still breastfeeding!

Much better bench today - genuine options on there now. He’s going with what we’ve got at the back though which is somewhat troubling…but not tonight..enjoy it!

[DJBlu]

It’s not like a move carved them up.

Precisely what it was. We cut through them and found a way down the right, forced a rushed clearance that the high line allowed us to pressure back to a forward, who found a ball to feet for the forward in space.

Entirely a pass and press chance.

The ball to Charles was behind him and he had to turn and hit it on the half volley. A superb individual goal. But presenting it as us opening them up is simply wrong.

I'd watch it again.

He checks his run, Dapo sees this, plays it to his right, then It's a deliberate chip up for him to volley it.

It's not a punt, head down and volley is it?

The ball was pressed and played down the right. There are videos showing this.

[Worthy4England]

Picky, but I honestly thought the ball in was a little behind him and he did really well to check and hit it....

[TANGODANCER]

I think we should re-name the Couch, "The Wishing chair" It has magical properties...

[LeverEnd]

Sunderland haven't lost away since November 2nd.

Nice easy win for us next game.

We'll shit 'em

Im going. It'll be wank

[Worthy4England]

Sunderland haven't lost away since November 2nd.

Nice easy win for us next game.

We'll shit 'em

Im going. It'll be wank

Can we pay you not to?