Roker Report - West Bromwich Albion vs Sunderland: As It HappenedSunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51357/rr-fav.png2014-08-18T17:01:30+01:00http://rokerreport.sbnation.com/rss/stream/57747402014-08-18T17:01:30+01:002014-08-18T17:01:30+01:00Talking Tactics: West Bromwich Albion (A)
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<figcaption>Stu Forster</figcaption>
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<p>A last-gasp equaliser from Sebastian Larsson rescued a point for Sunderland at the Hawthorns, just as a brace from Saido Berahino looked to have secured all three for the Baggies.</p> <h4><b>Line-up </b></h4>
<p>Gus Poyet made it clear last week that there were still places up for grabs amongst his starting eleven for the Premier League opener, whereas the shape the Uruguayan would deploy was never in any doubt. As expected, the 46-year-old fielded his favoured 4-3-3 formation, which more accurately can be broken down into a 4-1-4-1 featuring two inside forwards.</p>
<p>Mannone retained his place between the sticks despite the recent arrival of Costel Pantilimon, and the unexpected absence of Santiago Vergini meant Poyet was forced to field a somewhat makeshift back four. Wes Brown moved over to fill in at right-back, and Valentin Roberge stepped in for Vergini to partner John O’Shea in the heart of the Sunderland defence.</p>
<p>Lee Cattermole occupied his usual half-back role in front of the back four, and Sebastian Larsson was favoured to Jordi Gomez to start alongside big-money signing Jack Rodwell, completing the centre midfield three.</p>
<p>Steven Fletcher got the nod ahead of Connor Wickham to form the focal point of the Sunderland attack, leaving the 21-year-old to operate from the left-hand side, with Adam Johnson playing opposite Wickham on the right of the Black Cats’ midfield.</p>
<h4><b> Opposition </b></h4>
<p>Not an easy game for Poyet to prepare for, Allan Irvine’s first managerial position in the Premier League and first managerial position for three years meant West Brom were something of an enigma in terms of how they would set up. The Baggies boss fielded a 4-1-4-1 formation, with the most notable characteristics being a big and physical back four and a big sturdy striker in Victor Anichebe with the pace and trickery of Saido Berahino operating just behind the Nigerian.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4909564/line_ups__wba_.png"><img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4909564/line_ups__wba__medium.png" class="photo" alt="Line_ups__wba__medium"></a> <br id="1408375656803"></p>
<h4><b>Approach </b></h4>
<p><b></b>Gus Poyet has a firm belief in his own brand of football, and we are unlikely to see much difference in the initial approach all season. His patient possession-based game is characterised by its emphasis on controlling the tempo of a match, and ultimately making the opponent work hard to regain the ball. This approach was the backbone of Sunderland’s remarkable great escape last term, and the Uruguayan has had a full summer with which to instil his philosophy even further on the side.</p>
<p>The acquisition of more attack-minded full-backs Billy Jones and Patrick Van Aanholt, and a box-to-box midfielder in Jack Rodwell are evidence that Poyet is determined to add further dimensions to his side, and that there is certainly an allowance there for the players to put together much quicker transitions between defence and attack, hitting opponents on the break when the right opportunity arises.</p>
<h4><b> Execution</b></h4>
<p>West Brom came out the blocks quickest and were the better of the two teams in the opening exchanges. In fact, a Lee Cattermole wonder goal masked what was in truth a shaky first half for Sunderland as they struggled to control possession and pushed their luck on numerous occasions defensively.</p>
<p>On the most part, Sunderland’s struggles were down to the difficulties caused by the makeshift defence, West Brom’s own exuberance and Steven Fletcher’s failure to do the absolute basics. When playing as a lone centre-forward - especially away from home – your number one priority is to provide an outlet for your team, holding up the ball efficiently and facilitating the transition between defence and attack. Fletcher simply didn’t do this well enough on the day, and it made for an especially tough opening 45 minutes with Sunderland hemmed in for the most of it.</p>
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<p>That said, there is no doubt that the Black Cats were slightly unfortunate not to go in ahead at the break. The penalty decision given against Roberge was indisputably incorrect, and although the Baggies did deserve their equaliser, they gained it through a very poor piece of refereeing.</p>
<p>There was a lot more to be positive about in the second period. Sunderland were more aggressive and were showing signs of settling in and controlling the play better, until the Baggies took the lead in the 73rd minute.</p>
<p>Debutant Patrick Van Aanholt was largely to blame for the goal. The Dutchman was out of position and failed to track the run of Berahino as the Baggies striker tapped in Craig Gardner’s cross unchallenged at the far post. Van Aanholt has been receiving some rightful praise for his input on Saturday, but although he made some telling contributions it was by no means, a perfect performance.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4909596/Van_Aanolt_contribution.png"><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4909596/Van_Aanolt_contribution_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Van_aanolt_contribution_medium"></a></p>
<p>Statistically the 23-year-old was very impressive making more interceptions than any other player on the field and making a number of important challenges, but it was his positional game and decision making – something which cannot be picked up by the statisticians– that was a slight cause for concern. Too often the defender was caught criminally out of position defensively, and against a better side Sunderland may have been punished heavily. To the youngster’s credit, he responded well to his mistake providing a wonderful assist at the other end as Larsson put away a very well worked Sunderland goal.</p>
<p>The aesthetics of Larsson’s late equaliser is an early example of what Sunderland can do under Poyet’s system, and a definite reason for Black Cats fans to be cheerful after a decent away point on the opening day of the season.</p>
<h4><b> Conclusion </b></h4>
<p>To conclude, an encouraging way to kick off the Premier League season and certainly an improvement on last season’s misery at home to Fulham. Sunderland showed great spirit to go behind so late in the game yet still come away with a point, and there was a real clinical presence in front of goal as the side put away both of their only two shots on target. With business still to be done in the transfer market the team are not yet the finished article, so with that in mind Poyet will no doubt be reasonably pleased with the overall performance.</p>
<p>It may seem like I have gone after Steven Fletcher and Patrick Van Aanholt a little in my analysis, but I want to make it clear that my intention isn’t to scapegoat the pair, I am merely pointing out the two aspects which I feel ultimately prevented Sunderland from fully controlling the game and getting all three points - excluding Neil Swarbrick’s influence. Reflecting on pre-season Fletcher seems to have found his goal scoring boots again, and I’m confident Van Aanholt can be a useful signing with a little positional guidance – it was his debut after all.</p>
<p>Notable strong performances from Wes Brown and Sebastian Larsson were a real positive from the game, and a late but impressive cameo from Jordi Gomez suggests the Spaniard may be a bargain alternative to Ki Sung Yeung considering the Korean’s reported £5million price tag.</p>
<p>Onwards to the visit of Manchester United on Sunday.</p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/18/6030705/sunderland-talking-tactics-west-bromwich-albion-aAlexander Stebbings2014-08-18T16:25:31+01:002014-08-18T16:25:31+01:00Quick Kicks: Midfield Product, Paddy The Man
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<p>Sunderland's season is up and running with a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion. Here is what we made of it. </p> <h4>What the gaffer said</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>If you said we were going to get a point away from home in the first game of the season, you would probably say it's a good way to start.</p>
<p>We started the game very well and we got an incredible goal - the best probably from [Lee] Cattermole in his whole career.</p>
<p>Then we had a difficult spell because we lost the possession and the decision from the referee to give a penalty changed the course of the game.</p>
<p>If we went into half time at 1-0 it would have been a totally different story, but I thought we were much better in the second half.</p>
<p>We were better on the ball and much more aggressive. Credit to the boys that they kept pushing - and to Seb [Larsson] for getting the ball and scoring.</p>
</blockquote>
<h4>Product from midfield</h4>
<p>It's something that Gus Poyet has alluded to as well but it's well worth mentioning here because we've whined about a lack of goals from the midfield plenty before, but it was great to see two of the three central midfielders get on the scoresheet at the Hawthorns.</p>
<p>It wasn't just the goals from Lee Cattermole and Seb Larsson that were welcome either. The incisive defence-splitting pass from Jordi Gomez opened the whole thing up. Much more of that please, Sunderland midfield.</p>
<h4>Paddy attacking upside outweighs lapse</h4>
<p>Patrick van Aanholt was at fault for the second West Brom goal when he was caught napping at the back post, and I'm sure he'll be pretty disappointed with that. However, the fact he also created the equaliser has provoked mixed opinions on how he performed.</p>
<p>I suppose it depends a lot upon whether you consider the primary function of a full back to still be the defensive side of the game. Personally, I am not so sure. For me, full back has become such a demanding position that it no longer has a primary function. There are now the football version of cricketing all-rounders, expected to do a little bit of everything without being held to the sand standards of their specialist colleagues.</p>
<p>But the way I look at Van Aanholt's performance at the Hawthorns is that players can be taught how to defend. They can be drilled on where to stand, what to cover, and how to concentrate. That's really more of the mental stuff. But you can't teach the kind of attacking flair that he showed. We probably need to be patient with him, but I think Van Aanholt offered far more cause for optimism than concern on his debut.</p>
<h4>An important point gained</h4>
<p>Like many fans, I was quite confident of getting all three points against West Bromwich Albion but upon reflection it's a very good point gained.</p>
<p>The Baggies are likely to be one of the teams down there come the end of the season, and denying them three points at home probably hurts them more than the two dropped points hurts us. It was quite a typical new-manager performance from them. They were frantic and full of running, trying to impress, but there wasn't much in their game from a tactical point of view.</p>
<p>As the season progresses, they will likely lose that edge as the energy levels they showed are tough to maintain, whilst I'm confident we will improve once the transfer window close and Poyet gets his teeth into his squad properly.</p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/18/6030667/sunderland-west-bromwich-albion-reaction-quick-kicks-wba-2014michaelgraham2014-08-16T17:39:14+01:002014-08-16T17:39:14+01:00WBA Vs Sunderland: Player Ratings
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<p>Here's our take on today's individual performances at the opening day of the season fixture away to West Bromwich Albion. Whether you agree or disagree, please feel free to give us your thoughts!</p> <h4>Vito Mannone - 7</h4>
<p>Made some decent saves and provided a strong last line of defence. One particularly athletic stop from former Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner's 25-yard blockbuster kept the early lead intact prior to the penalty.</p>
<h4>Wes Brown - 9</h4>
<p>Classy display despite being played at right back. Cool, calm and collected on the ball at all times and put in some important challenges throughout his 80 minutes on the pitch.</p>
<h4>John O'Shea - 7</h4>
<p>Solid for the most part, while winning most aerial duels and putting his body on the line in order to block several long-range efforts from outside the box.</p>
<h4>Valentin Roberge - 4</h4>
<p>Decent first half-hour gave way to chaos as Roberge completely lost his head following a penalty appeal that went against him. Got forward well to put a header just wide in the opposition box, but really should've scored. Then, penalised for holding on to Victor Anichebe, who went down far too easily to claim a spot-kick converted by Saido Berahino to level proceedings at 1-1 just before half-time. The Frenchman began to lose focus and took numerous risks on the edge of his own area after the referee's controversial decision.</p>
<h4>Patrick van Aanholt - 8</h4>
<p>An impressive debut overall thanks to a series of lung-busting runs on the left-hand side, while also putting in sliding tackles and clearing headers galore defensively. Has pace to burn allowing him to get back into position after bursting forwards. Furthermore, his pull-back set up Larsson's late equaliser. However, didn't cover for Roberge when Berahino got clear on 74 minutes to put the Baggies into a brief lead, which stops him from getting a higher mark.</p>
<h4>Adam Johnson - 5</h4>
<p>Largely anonymous on both wings, with only one move of any note benefitting from his involvement. He must rid himself of the frustrating inconsistency which has blighted his career.</p>
<h4>Seb Larsson - 8</h4>
<p>Quiet in the first period, but took hold of the game from the middle of the park as the match wore on. Mainly kept things ticking over, but also sprayed numerous cross-field passes from right to left accurately to set off significant attacks. Rounded off a fine second-half display by slotting home a neat equaliser with five minutes remaining.</p>
<h4>Lee Cattermole - 8</h4>
<p>Scored a fabulous fifth minute opener from 25 yards, which sailed into the top-right corner of the net beyond England keeper Ben Foster. Protected the defence well throughout, putting in lots of tackles and rarely gave away possession. Seemed to be everywhere.</p>
<h4>Jack Rodwell - 6</h4>
<p>Lack of match fitness meant a rather subdued performance from the club's biggest signing of the summer so far. Looked composed on the ball, but didn't impact the game enough. Will get better given time.</p>
<h4>Connor Wickham - 6</h4>
<p>Gamely tracked back from a left-wing role in the first-half, but fell asleep at the back on one occasion which could've cost the team dearly. Switched wings with Johnson after the break and got himself more involved in the final third, getting off a number of shots around the penalty area. Can't help but feeling he would've been more effective up-front in place of Fletcher from the start.</p>
<h4>Steven Fletcher - 5</h4>
<p>Received rough treatment from West Brom in the first 45 and failed to get into the match thereafter. Ball didn't stick with him and he got very little service. Had a header correctly ruled out for offside on the hour.</p>
<h4><br></h4>
<h4>Subs:</h4>
<p> </p>
<h4>Jordi Gomez - 7</h4>
<p>Slide-rule pass set away van Aanholt to then cut the ball back for Larsson to score.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Will Buckley - 6</h4>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Jozy Altidore - 6</h4>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Man of the Match: Wes Brown - Outstanding</h4>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/16/6015745/west-bromwich-albion-vs-sunderland-player-ratingsDavid Lee Wheatley2014-08-16T17:07:35+01:002014-08-16T17:07:35+01:00WBA 2-2 Sunderland: Black Cats Rescue Point
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<figcaption>Stu Forster</figcaption>
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<p>The wait for the first win at the Hawthorns since March 2007 goes on as the Black Cats battled for an opening day draw.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Seb Larsson’s 84<sup>th</sup> minute equaliser secured Sunderland a point at the Hawthorns after a Saido Berahino double looked to have given West Brom all three points. </span></p>
<p>West Brom started the game brightly and they were nearly rewarded for their early pressure when Saido Berahino was sent through on goal but he was denied by a last ditch double tackle from Cattermole and Brown.</p>
<p>Sunderland took the lead from the ensuing passage of play on 4 mins. A Seb Larrson free kick was only half cleared when the ball fell to Lee Cattermole who struck a thunderbolt from 25 yards into the top corner, leaving the diving Ben Foster with no chance.</p>
<p>West Brom continued to control possession without creating any clear cut opportunities as Sunderland seemed content to sit deep and hit the Baggies on the counter attack.</p>
<p>Sunderland should really have doubled their lead on 30 mins from another Seb Larrson free kick. The Swede swung an inviting ball into the six yard area which was met by Valentin Roberge who saw his header go agonisingly past the post, leaving Foster stranded.</p>
<p>West Brom were being limited to long range efforts by the stubborn Sunderland defence who looked like getting in at half time with a 1-0 lead.</p>
<p>However, on 41 mins West Brom got their chance to equalise from the spot after Roberge was adjudged to have brought down Anichebe in the box. Contact looked to have been minimal, but referee Neill Swarbrick awarded the spot kick which Berahino slotted away.</p>
<p>After the break it was the home side that started with more intensity, but like the first half it was Sunderland who had the first chance. Again from a Larsson set piece - this time a corner, which was met by Connor Wickham at the back post who shot wide after nipping in behind Wisdom.</p>
<p>Sunderland thought they had re – taken the lead on 59 mins through a Steven Fletcher header. The cross supplied by the outstanding Cattermole was flicked on to find Fletcher at the far post, but his header was rightly disallowed for offside.</p>
<p>West Brom took the lead on 74 mins just after Sunderland gambled by bringing on two attacking substitutions. A Graham Dorrans shot was parried into the path of Gardner who crossed for berahino to slide the ball in unmarked at the back post.</p>
<p>Sunderland applied late pressure to the West Brom goal and they were rewarded with an equaliser on 84 mins after some delicious build up play. The move started by Lee Cattermole who launched a diagonal ball across to Van Aanholt, who played a one – two with Gomez, then slid the ball across to Larsson for the Swedish international to finish superbly into the corner.</p>
<p><b>West Brom </b><b>(4-2-3-1)</b><b>:</b> Foster, Wisdom, Dawson, Olsson, Pocognoli, Mulumbu, Gardner (Yacob 83’), Dorrans (Sessegnon 83’), Berahino, Brunt (Baird 76’), Anichebe.</p>
<p><b>Subs:</b> Myhill, Ideye, Davidson, O’Neil, Sessegnon, Yacob, Baird.</p>
<p><i>Goals: Berahino (41’) (74’)</i></p>
<p><b>Sunderland </b><b>(4-3-3)</b><b>:</b> Mannone, Roberge, van Aanholt, Brown (Altidore 80’), O'Shea (c), Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell (Gomez 67’), Johnson (Buckley 72’), Wickham, Fletcher.</p>
<p><b>Subs:</b> Pantilimon, Bridcutt, Gomez, Altidore, Mavrias, Graham, Buckley.</p>
<p><i>Goals: Cattermole (4’), Larsson (84’)</i></p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/16/6021757/west-bromwich-albion-sunderland-wba-epl-2014-final-scoreDavid McColgan2014-08-16T14:18:34+01:002014-08-16T14:18:34+01:00WBA vs Sunderland: Confirmed Line-Ups
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<p>The first team sheets of the season are in!</p> <p>Sunderland have been dealt a blow at right back with Santiago Vergini joining Billy Jones on the injury list. That means an opportunity for Valentin Roberge, with Wes Brown presumably filling in down the right.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, Seb Larsson got the nod in midfield over Jordi Gomez, whilst Vito Mannone was chosen in goal ahead of Costel Pantilimon.</p>
<p>Summer signings Patrick van Aanholt and Jack Rodwell make their debuts. Will Buckley is on the bench.</p>
<p><b>Sunderland (4-3-3)</b>: Mannone; Brown, O'Shea, Roberge, Van Aanholt; Cattermole, Rodwell, Larsson; Johnson, Fletcher, Wickham.</p>
<p><b>Subs:</b> Pantilimon, Bridcutt, Mavrias, Altidore, Graham, Buckley, Gomez.</p>
<p>For West Bromwich Albion, former Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner makes a full debut, but rather surprisingly Stephane Sessegnon has to be content with a spot on the bench.</p>
<p><b>WBA (4-2-3-1):</b> Foster, Wisdom, Dawson, Olsson, Pocognoli; Mulumbu, Gardner; Brunt, Dorrens, Berahino; Anichebe.</p>
<p><b>Subs:</b> Myhill, Ideye, Davidson, O’Neil, Sessegnon, Yacob, Baird.</p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/16/6019397/west-bromwich-albion-vs-sunderland-confirmed-line-upsmichaelgraham2014-08-16T08:34:02+01:002014-08-16T08:34:02+01:00Poyet Relishing Level Playing Field
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<figcaption>Richard Sellers</figcaption>
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<p>Start quick to stop the suffering, says Gus ahead of season opener. </p> <p>Gus Poyet has insisted Sunderland can't afford to be slow starters again if they want to avoid another season of abject misery.</p>
<p>The Black Cats boss inherited a dire situation of just one solitary point from the opening eight fixtures last October (he clearly counts his first game, against Swansea, as a remnant of the previous management), essentially giving himself just 30 games to scrape together a whole season worth of points to avoid the drop.</p>
<p>He told <i>Sun FM</i> that there simply cannot be a repeat this year:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It [starting the season on a level playing field] makes a massive difference.</p>
<p>I know it sounds quite stupid, but we need to start better than last year. Everybody knows that.</p>
<p>People say it's not going to be difficult. One point in eight games... if I'm worse than that, I'm not going to be here.</p>
<p>But it's clear that if you don't start well, you are playing catch-up all the time, and even if you get a good spell you cannot get out because sooner or later you are going to lose a game and be back at the bottom.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Personally, I don't think that Poyet got anywhere near the credit he deserved, nationally, for guiding Sunderland to safety last season. Had Harry Redknapp done the same he would probably be Prime Minister by now following a relentless campaign by the tabloids.</p>
<p>Let's look at it comparatively. That's always fun. We'll even do what Gus won't and include the Swansea game in his figures.</p>
<p>The following table shows the points achieved after the first 31 games of the season. It is imprecise in terms of conclusions given the endless variables involved in football, but it gives you a rough idea of just what Poyet achieved compared to other clubs in a similar time span.</p>
<table border="0" align="center">
<caption>Points After 31 Games</caption>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sunderland (under Poyet)</td>
<td>37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stoke City</td>
<td>37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>West Ham United</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hull City</td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Norwich City</td>
<td>32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Swansea City</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>West Bromwich Albion</td>
<td>29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cardiff City</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>As mentioned, the point of the table is not to draw conclusions, but to attempt to illustrate Poyet's point about the perils of playing catch-up, and the extent to which Sunderland had to out-perform their rivals to pull off a 'miracle' to give themselves a chance of survival just about does that, I think.</p>
<p>So here is to a level playing field. That most beautiful of gifts offered by the football gods every August. Please, please, PLEASE, don't mess it up this time Sunderland!</p>
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https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/16/6011513/season-of-catch-up-has-poyet-relishing-level-playing-fieldmichaelgraham2014-08-16T08:33:03+01:002014-08-16T08:33:03+01:00"REALISM!", Gus Preaches To The Converters
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<figcaption>Richard Sellers</figcaption>
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<p>Poyet wants to ensure Sunderland fans get real with their expectations for the new season. It's almost as if he doesn't know us at all sometimes, the daft lovable sod. </p> <p>If there is one thing you can always rely upon Sunderland fans for, it's a bone-chillingly, ball-achingly, soul-sapping dose of realism. In fact, it's actually very hard to enjoy anything as a Sunderland fan, such are the amounts of fans on social media and the like just queuing up to make sure you know just how miserable things could and probably will be before you know it.</p>
<p>Last season for example, after beating Newcastle at home (how wonderful that we genuinely have to specify <i>which</i> derby victory we are talking about), you couldn't really enjoy it for warnings that, nice as it was, it was probably too little too late in the relegation scrap. It was November.</p>
<p>It's not necessarily a bad thing. Far from it. Yeah, it can be annoying at times, but these people provide a cruel yet crucial service, so don't deride them. If not for them, how long before we start waffling on about being a 'special club' and staging mock funeral services outside the ground when we get a kit we don't like or something? It's a slippery slope, and the miseries protect us from it.</p>
<p>It's something that Gus Poyet clearly embraces too.</p>
<p>Anyone who knows anything about the Uruguayan knows that he is a fiercely ambitious coach. There is no question that he sees himself as headed for one of the elite clubs in world football. That's fine. The days of coaches building footballing dynasties from the ground up like Brian Clough, Bill Shankly and Don Revie are long gone. I think we all accept that.</p>
<p>But Poyet isn't getting ahead of himself. He isn't stoking the flames of expectation and romanticising us with talk of magic carpet rides and the like. In fact, as the Premier League season readies for kick off, there is only one word on Poyet's mind:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I think we need to be realistic, and I'd like everyone to understand that word - 'realistic'.</p>
<p>If someone would like to hear a lie, I can say one: Yeah, we're looking to get into Europe next year...</p>
<p>It looks fantastic, it sounds great, but it's not true.</p>
<p>So the idea here is, first, don't suffer, as we have in the last couple of years. Second is try and play the kind of football that will make us better slowly, consistently. No up and downs like last year. And from then on, keep improving.</p>
<p>Then, when we are in a position to attack a certain position in the league, I'll let you know.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Expectation management is a vital skill in the armoury of any manager, coach, whatever, these days, but you can't help but feel that Poyet is preaching to the converted a little. In fact, it almost feels like he is preaching to the very people who converted him to this way of thinking in the first place.</p>
<p>I mean, let's face it - Poyet is a bit of a dreamer. Yes, he can moan with the best of them, as we saw at White Hart Lane last season when he seemed to be throwing in the towel in the relegation scrap whilst trying to wash his hands of responsibility for it.</p>
<p>Beneath it all, though, he is still a dreamer.</p>
<p>He is obsessed with an almost idyllic brand of football for one thing, and his relentless refusal to give up the ghost on the Fabio Borini chase despite it dragging on for weeks without resolution is demonstrative of a stunningly resolute commitment to optimism.</p>
<p>It's actually one of his finest qualities as a coach. He has that unteachable boundless infectious energy that just radiates from him and touches every corner of the club. It's a huge asset. Just look at what happened to Martin O'Neill when he lost it.</p>
<p>So you wonder whether it's Sunderland fans that he is trying to convince to keep their feet on the ground or himself, really. I suspect the latter personally. Trying to force feed Sunderland supporters cold realism is like trying to force feed a Frenchman pretension - wholly unnecessary.</p>
<p>Still, I think that Poyet has neatly hit upon the right message here. Last season, Sunderland took making fans suffer to a whole new level, an almost incalculably precise level in fact.</p>
<p>I think that what is telling is that it seems to have been independently recognised as a watershed season by just about everyone. Poyet describes as surviving it as a miracle, and you don't tend to get two of those. Ellis Short seems to have relaxed the purse-strings a little in a bid to ensure it doesn't happen again. And the fans... well, our expectations for the new season seem to have been reduced to simply not making us want to rake out our eyeballs with a fondue stick every weekend.</p>
<p>Realism? We are way ahead of you here Gus...</p>
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https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/16/6010735/sunderland-season-2014-preview-poyet-realismmichaelgraham2014-08-15T15:11:42+01:002014-08-15T15:11:42+01:00Preview: Poyet Looking For Points
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<figcaption>Paul Thomas</figcaption>
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<p>Football. Sweet, beautiful, agonising football is back. As Sunderland travel to the midlands we have all your essential pre-match information.</p> <h4><b>Sunderland Team News</b></h4>
<p>Gus Poyet has publicly stated that he knows six of his starting eleven, with the recent addition of Will Buckley adding to his attacking options.</p>
<p>Vito Mannone will hope to prevent a debut for Costel Pantilimon, whilst Billy Jones and Santiago Vergini will compete for the starting spot at right-back.</p>
<p>In midfield, Lee Cattermole is expected to marshal his side from the base, with Jack Rodwell and either Seb Larsson or Jordi Gomez ahead of him. On the left-hand side, new signing Patrick van Aalholt will look to link up with one of Buckley, Gomez or Connor Wickham, depending on how Poyet uses the position to influence proceedings.</p>
<p>Both Jozy Altidore and Emanuele Giaccherini are unlikely to feature - the pair still some way from returning from injury.</p>
<h4><b>West Bromwich Albion Team News</b></h4>
<p>Alan Irvine's main decision will be whether to hand record signing Brown Ideye a debut despite only recently joining up with his new side. The former Sochaux man scored twice in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday and is being considered for a speedy introduction to the Premier League, although is likely to deputise the lively Saido Berahino.</p>
<p>World Cup star Christian Gamboa is still waiting on a visa before linking up with the Baggies, so fellow new recruit Andre Wisdom is set to start at right-back. Former Sunderland pair Craig Gardner and Stephane Sessegnon are both likely to feature.</p>
<p>New signing Joleon Lescott has joined James Morrison and Gareth McAuley on the injury list, and all three are expected to miss the first few games of the season.</p>
<h4><b>Predicted Lineups</b></h4>
<p><span><a title="Click to view tactic" href="http://sharemytactics.com/19345/"><img alt="West Bromwich Albion vs Sunderland - Football tactics and formations" src="http://sharemytactics.com/19345/West-Bromwich-Albion-Sunderland-formation-tactics.png"></a></span></p>
<p><b>SAFC: </b>Mannone; Vergini, Brown, O'Shea, van Aaholt; Cattermole; Johnson, Rodwell, Gomez, Wickham; Fletcher</p>
<p><b>WBA: </b>Foster; Wisdom, Olsson, Dawson, Pognocoli; Yacob, Mulumbu; Dorrans, Gardner, Sessegnon; Berahino</p>
<h4><b>Key Matchup: Youssouf Mulumbu vs Jack Rodwell</b></h4>
<p>In Rodwell, Poyet has the size and energy needed to lead his pressing methods and the former Everton man has already spoken about his aim to influence his side at either end of the pitch. Mulumbu, a comparably all-action midfielder, has had a similar role under previous managers, and it is fair to expect similar under Alan Irvine. Both will be expected to break up play, as well as laying the foundations for forays towards goal.</p>
<p>Frankly, the way Poyet wants his side to transition from pressing to probing could live or die with how Rodwell's career on Wearside begins. Whilst Larsson and Jack Colback showed promise in the role last season, neither has the physical presence or balance of Sunderland's biggest signing of the summer to date.</p>
<h4><b>Recent Form: N/A</b></h4>
<h4><b>Last Time Around: West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Sunderland, 21/09/13</b></h4>
<p>The game that ended Paolo Di Canio's tenure as Sunderland manager, Stephane Sessegnon unsurprisingly opened the scoring against his former club.</p>
<p>Other than that, and further goals from Liam Ridgewell and Morgan Amalfitano, the game is better remembered for the stand-off between Di Canio and a fed-up gathering of travelling fans.</p>
<h4><b>The Ref: Neil Swarbick</b></h4>
<p>For the second successive season, Sunderland begin a campaign with the Lancashire-based man in the middle.</p>
<p>Sunderland have had balanced results with Swarbick since his promotion to the Premier League - two 3-0 wins against Reading and West Ham United in 2012/2013 offset by failing to win a league game he officiated last season, although the Black Cats managed a 3-1 win over Carlisle United in the FA Cup.</p>
<h4><b>What The Managers Said</b></h4>
<p>Gus Poyet</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>We feel like it's started - we're talking about West Brom, planning, checking on little things and making sure we are ready</i></p>
<p><i>Overall, we are - the group is strong, we've been training well, fitness levels are right.</i></p>
<p><i>It'll be very tough, it's always very tight in the beginning, then around the months of November, December, January things open up a bit. In the beginning everyone is trying to get points somehow.</i></p>
<p><i>It's going to be a tough game [at West Brom], but like I've said we are ready to go.</i></p>
<p><i>We know each other very well so there's no secrets. We need to go there with the confidence that we can win.</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Alan Irvine</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>People will be looking at it and thinking we've got a difficult job.</i></p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p><i>They know what happened last season.</i></p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p><i>The only thing that changes that is us getting the right results.</i></p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p><i>We can worry about the past and what people are saying or we can get on with the work - and hopefully get the right results.</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<h4><b>Roker Report Predicts</b></h4>
<p> </p>
<p>Despite being away from home, I think Poyet will see this as an almost-perfect opportunity.</p>
<p>Against a team very much in transition, the Uruguayan will expect a more polished implementation of his pass-with-the-ball-press-without-it philosophy having had a full pre-season with his charges. In contrast, it is difficult to know just how West Brom will go.</p>
<p>With that and the usual start-of-season optimism in mind, we think a 2-0 away win is in order, with the fit-again Steven Fletcher opening the scoring.</p>
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https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/15/6003055/preview-sunderland-wba-premier-leagueKarlJones