When Nordi Mukiele screamed on the crowd after a robust deal with, though Sunderland had simply gone all the way down to 10 males, I had a sense we’d not lose on Sunday. That deal with was considered one of a person filled with confidence, and it mentioned that Sunderland wouldn’t roll over and die like so many different newly promoted golf equipment would do in the identical place.
Trai Hume has been within the highlight for leaving his calling card on Morgan Rogers, who then took to social media to complain about SAFC sharing an instance of a harmful deal with. Hume acquired the ball and the person, and not one of the referee, VAR, or a lot of the Villa gamers appeared to suppose it was as harmful as Rogers claimed.
That is what Hume does, and though he’ll should be cautious of creating tackles like this towards some fast opponents this yr, he loves getting caught in, and with how tackling has been watered down in recent times, there will likely be lots of gamers (like Rogers) who should not used to it.
The 1-1 draw on Sunday additionally confirmed how we had a superb facet up towards the ball by throw-ins and set items. I can’t bear in mind the final time Sunderland dominated a workforce aerially at useless balls, but each time we put the ball wherever close to the six-yard field, Villa seemed terrified. Thoughts you, we’d all be nervous if we had Huge Dan Ballard, Alderete, and Mukiele steaming in at us, wouldn’t we?
Aston Villa might need dominated with the ball, however a wall of pink and white prevented them from creating something substantial after scoring. Actually, Money’s aim was their solely shot on the right track after we had been diminished to 10 males. A workforce taking part in Champions League soccer final season and Europa League soccer this yr couldn’t get the job performed towards little outdated Sunderland, and it’s issues like this that add to the delight we must always have on this workforce.
It’s a sturdy perspective like this that may set us up effectively this season, particularly at house. Our subsequent sport on the SoL is towards Wolves, a workforce who in the intervening time, are all-time low of the league with no factors. Making our house a fortress and a spot the place groups hate coming to go to. Seven factors from our first three house video games again within the Premier League is a implausible begin to making this actuality.
In Sunderland gamers, I need ardour, guile, and spirit. I wish to see our lads first pumping each throw in and each nook. I need us to be a workforce that will get caught in and scraps for each 50/50, free ball, and header. I wish to see gamers diving to make final ditch blocks after which celebrating like they’ve simply scored a 30-yard screamer.
Each soccer fan ought to need this from their workforce, however with this present Sunderland workforce, it feels the closest we’ve acquired to experiencing this in a very long time. We additionally need our workforce to carry out in addition to it will possibly, and in 5 Premier League video games, we’ve seen some very optimistic indicators.