Following the Lads 1-0 win over Bolton, I caught up with Bolton fan Emma Norris to get her thoughts on the game. Here's how she saw things...
Bolton threw everything at us in the second half. Was it frustrating that they didn't show that attacking verve earlier in the game?
Emma: Most definitely. We just didn't seem at the races in the first half - we appeared very sluggish and couldn't cope with Gyan and Bent's pace. Luckily like you say we managed to salvage some dignity in the second half, but it just wasn't enough. I was really disappointed to be honest - after Sunday's result I expected us to come out all guns blazing, but obviously the derby took its toll a little. It however could have been so different had Craig Gordon not made that world class save - that was the pivotal moment of the game in my mind. If we'd have equalised then, bang on half time, it could have been a totally different outcome. I cannot believe Klasnic didn't punish you with the last chance of ours, the goal was at his mercy and we were already celebrating!
I think possibly a draw would have been a fair result, but credit to you for holding out.
Although we'll probably think its for different reasons, did you find Chris Foy to be terrible today too?
Emma: Totally agree. I think he failed to allow the game to flow for the majority of the game - some of the decisions he made were abysmal and he just didn't seem to have a grip on the match at times. Although you may disagree, I think a couple of Sunderland players went down a tad too easily, and Cattermole should have gone for his ludicrous challenge on Elmander which didn't even earn him a booking!
Another week without a clean sheet for your lot. Concerned it may be your undoing come the end of the season?
Emma: It's really starting to worry me now if I'm honest. We seemed at sixes and sevens at the back at times today, particularly for Welbeck's goal where he was free to head in from the rebound with pretty much no challenge. Gary Cahill, so often a solid rock in defence seemed to be panicking hugely today, as did Sam Ricketts. I think it's an issue that most definitely has to be addressed sooner rather than later!
Why no Lee Chung-Yong today? From what I've seen he seems one of your best players!
Emma: I must admit I was flabbergasted when I saw that he wasn't in the starting eleven - like you say he's been one of our best players this campaign and we sorely missed him today. He brings that little bit of something to the midfield - I'm sure Coyle's got a relatively good reason for leaving him out, but I definitely think that it had an impact on the game.
Danny Welbeck was my man of the match today, certainly from the SAFC side of things anyway. Who was your man of the match, and why?
Emma: Nobody in particular stood out for us in my opinion, but if I had to pick someone it would be Stuart Holden - consistant and reliable as usual. Davo (Kevin Davies) played out of his skin as usual, but he was just totally man-marked from the start which made it impossible for him to make a full impact. No faulting his commitment though!
And lastly, where do you see both teams finishing at the end of the season now?
Emma: Despite our inability to keep a clean sheet, I still see us finishing in the top eight or nine come the end of the season - something which I'm sure all Bolton fans would be ecstatic with. With yourselves, I think that you may just slip to tenth/eleventh towards the end of the campaign, as I think your excellent home form will come to an end sometime! I don't think there will be many points between us come mid-May though! Good luck to you anyway!
Cheers. Hope we can do this again when SAFC and Bolton meet next!
Remember, you can follow Emma on Twitter @bwfc_nozza for more Bolton related stuff!