January 2015

It's hard, and a little unfair, to judge Hammill on last season. It wasn't vintage Hammill, he was poor for much of it but so was the rest of the team. I remember him putting in a MoM performance playing in the middle behind the strikers. He may not be championship standard anymore, I can't argue his case on this point, but I am pretty sure he would still have been a regular starter and effective at league one level.

 

Ye I get that, but other managers have decided to target the space left behind the fullbacks this has to be rectified ,fullbacks can’t be wingers as well Jack Ross identified the full backs push on too early and that he could get in behind and drag the CBs out of position and expose us defensively. This problem is further highlighted by the fact we don’t have natural defensive midfielders who can sniff out the danger, this needs addressed as we have a squad that can potentially do well

 

I’ve had some daft seasons following the Reds & this was right up there.

A pre-season training camp with only 3 players from the previous season there surrounded by kids.

13 players making their professional debuts.

Hourihane scoring one of the best hat tricks I’ve ever seen but barely anyone seeing it as we were already 5 down with only 10 mins to go.

Fully expecting Treacy & Jennings to be our key players & then Treacy barely playing through depression & missing a game for his wedding & Jennings been about 2 stone overweight all season.

 

I agree with you , some great points you make , especially about the pre season , hardly great preperation . If you are on about the game against MK Dons , I think Hourihane only scored two , Cole got the third & whats more we came close to getting a fourth , Deli Alli murdered us that day.

 

Did he? Thought it was a hat trick, still unbelievable strikes.

Ye he battered us, only twice I’ve seen a player play for us or against us & been convinced they’d play for England & Alli is one & Stones is the other.

I remember one of the young ones posting a pre-season selfie of the group & it was just a bunch of 18 year olds with M’Voto & Nyatanga. If I remember right they were barely signing anyone until they got O’Grady & Steele off the books who were left behind. Shambles.

 

I thought it was our best performance since Peterborough.

 

I'm not disputing any of that my point was just in comparison now is a much more enjoyable time watching us than back then. Around that time I can name plenty of awful performances mk dons at home chesterfield away Preston away walsall away but doncaster away topped them all for me and was the worst game I think I've seen. Was worrying times back then we had signed scowen a week or 2 earlier left him on the bench v Donny and after the game we were 3 points off the drop and hadn't won away since we beat Sheffield United early november. That was testing times watching us and the football we were turning out.

 

I for one don't question any of the coaching team's ability. I think they are the best I've seen since our two "glory" periods. Stendel himself in the post match interview (available on iFollow), alluded clearly to the lack of experience, compared to Sunderland.

It's a bit of a daft argument this, as most of us that see the needs for an experienced leader or two, still agree with the youth policy. It's just like you can have a coach on the pitch, as well as the dugout. Absolute no brainer.

 

Yeah i wouldnt mind a experienced head or two but every signing is a gamble even hammill. We brought in mills last season in theory he should of been the leader but it didn't work and on the pitch I've seen a double decker turn faster he was awful.
Sunderland have some really good young players maja who turned pinnock inside out and then produced a quality finish is still only 20 and has 11 goals so far this season I think Lyndon gooch is only 23 and has 7 assists and 5 goals aswell both having great seasons they do have experience in aiden mcgeady who is a top player especially at this level but I'd imagine only Sunderland in this league could afford his wages so no point comparing with Sunderland.

 

I think most fans would agree with your comments , as do I, & I actually think there are players out there that fill the clubs age criteria & the managers desire for more experienced players . We have Alex Mowatt in our ranks, who has over 100 championship games under his belt & whilst I do not think he is of the leader type we all want , I do think there will be players of his age & experience who could fit the bill & I feel sure the club will be looking through out the UK & on the continent for recruits of this type , we certainly do not want to go down the road of signings of the Mitch Ward , Marlon Harewood type who were very experienced but not over motivated , january should be interesting .

 

for every Mitch Ward there is a Brian Joicey

 

Besides from twenty minutes it was a very good performance. I think we would have equalised and possibly gone on to beat a lot of teams in this division.

 

Brian Joicey was great with us , I remember going to Southend on a friday night & him scoring a belter , it hit the stanstion in the back of the net that hard that it bounced out like a bullet, many watching did not realise it was a goal because of the way the ball came out, the game ended 1 v 1 but it turned out to be a good point , although it was 4th division it was good stuff .