Wigan’s Roberto Martinez is named as the Premier League manager of the month, with Everton’s Nikica Jelavic player of the month.
stewartg83
May 072012
May 072012
May 072012
May 072012
May 072012
Stephen Warnock is Aston Villa’s highest ranked player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Warnock who is ranked 48th has won 72.5% of all the tackles he’s attempted so far this season. Warnock is also third overall in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for total tackles won this season with 81, Maynor Figueroa [...]
| Sigurdsson: I Would Love To Stay At Swansea City Vitalfootball: Swansea: 06/05/2012 13:43:00 Gylfi Sigurdsson says he'd love to stay at Swansea City, but concedes a decision on where his future lies is out of his hands |
| Swansea Will Be First To Know On Sigurdsson Vitalfootball: Swansea: 04/05/2012 22:43:00 Hoffenheim have made a promise to Swansea City that they'll be the first to know on the situation regarding Gylfi Sigurdsson |
| Dyer: We'll Give It Everything To Try & Beat Utd Vitalfootball: Swansea: 04/05/2012 22:18:00 Swansea City winger Nathan Dyer says the team will 'give it everything' to try and get good results in the last two games |
| Rodgers Meets Chairman To Discuss Summer Targets Vitalfootball: Swansea: 04/05/2012 21:54:00 Brendan Rodgers has had another meeting with chairman Huw Jenkins to discuss his summer targets |
| Hartson: Swansea City Can Beat Man United Vitalfootball: Swansea: 04/05/2012 21:46:00 Swansea-born John Hartson believes his home-town club are capable of beating Manchester United at Old Trafford |
Bear with us chaps and chapettes, I know this season seems to be really dragging to its conclusion, especially after the embarrassment of riches that we were treated to in the new year, but we’re nearly there, it’s nearly done, and sooner, rather than later, you won’t have to read anymore of these bloody poems on a Monday morning!
Maybe next week we’ll have a jumbo Roker Rhymes, one that looks back on the season as a whole, but, until then, you’re stuck with reliving the Fulham game. Lucky you, eh?
It was Fulham away at the weekend, to London we did go.
Hoping to see a good performance, hoping to put on a good show.
But, alas, it wasn’t to be, and our squad’s deficiencies were plain to see,
Let’s just get it finished and as we reach the summer, we can look at what our transfer targets will be.
This weekend we got beat at Fulham, and we had one man to thank,
As Clint Dempsey opened the scoring, that bleedin’ pesky Yank.
He’s just what we are after, with his 23 goals this year,
And his goal left our confidence shattered, and filled us instead with fear.
Fair play to him though for the technique, it was a pretty lovely free kick,
But eight games without a win, has left us all feeling sick.
However, it was the Captain’s mancrush, who tied up the game,
But Fulham hit back instantly, and there are plenty of culprits to take the blame.
It was gutting to concede so quickly, and to be instantly on the back foot,
Dembele’s strike was like getting punched, in the middle of the gut.
Though we had plenty of chances to tie it up, to get a point from the tie,
But all of our seemingly easy chances, just kept on passing us by.
First it was Mr Bendtner, who saw his shot creep wide,
He was on as a substitute, after not making the original side.
Then Fraizer was the next culprit, when it looked easier to score,
And our chances of getting a result, were seemingly no more.
So on we go to Sunday, when Man United visit the Stadium of Light,
Let’s just hope that for our last game, we actually put up a fight.
City fans will be cheering us on, as we gain more fans just for the day,
And in the race for the Premier League, we are allowed to have our say.
Let’s just hope that we show up, and the players want to prove to Marty,
That they are more than capable, of providing next season’s party.
Then the season will be over, no more Sunderland for a while,
Instead we can watch England’s Euro campaign, and hope it raises a smile.
May 072012
The end of the season can’t come soon enough. For those keeping score at home, we’re now 8 games without a win, although the bigger problem lies in that most of those we haven’t even looked like winning. You can add today to that ever growing list too.
Craven Cottage hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for us in the past, but today we didn’t seem to ever get going. Anyway, you can read more moaning like this, and much more in our match report below. There’s all the action as we saw it, plus player ratings and early thoughts on next week…
Martin O’Neill continued to try out some of the fringe players int he squad. Having given Craig Gordon the start last week, he was dropped from the squad entirely, however there was a very rare start for Korean striker Ji Dong-Won in attack with Stephane Sessegnon. Craig Gardner also returned to the starting lineup after serving a suspension, and lined up on the right hand side of midfield, replacing Fraizer Campbell who was relegated to the bench. Also on there, a surprising sighting of Titus Bramble.
The game started at a bit of a subdued tempo, with little to pick out really beyond Simon Mignolet’s solid save from Damien Duff, and Craig Gardner’s audacious free-kick from 35-yards or so which went well over. That was until Clint Dempsey opened the scoring on 11 minutes.
The strike from Dempsey was very good. Hit with plenty of pace and whip around the wall, however fingers have to be pointed from our side at Mignolet who let it get past him, and even more so at Lee Cattermole for giving away the cheap foul in the first place.
Stephane Sessegnon nearly had us level almost instantly when he beat Fulham’s offside trap, and beat Aaron Hughes all ends up before firing right at Mark Schwarzer from close range, however away from that the first quarter of the game was very much what we’ve come to know over the last month or two. Very flat, uninspired and tired looking on all fronts.
Which was why it was such as surprise that Phil Bardsley managed to equalise after 34 minutes, and credit to him, it was a cracking goal. A lovely run by Jack Colback played into Ji Dong-Won, the Korean’s one touch lay-off to Bardsley, who smashed an unstoppable drive beyond Schwarzer.
The joy however was short lived, and I mean VERY short lived as just 15 SECONDS later, Moussa Dembele, or Michael Turner depending on what you want to believe, had The Cottagers back in front.
Right from the restart we seemingly just stood and watched Fulham pass it around, and once it reached the Belgian international on the halfway line, we stood off, and off, and off some more until he was at the edge of the area where he unleashed a powerful drive into the top corner, with a hefty deflection off Michael Turner.
That was essentially it for the first half barring Gardner missing with another free-kick, and A fairly decent strike with the right foot by James McClean. At the half though, we needed to pull our socks up and do a hell of a lot better to get anything out the game.
And we kind of did a little bit. Fulham still had their chances mind, notably when Pavel Pogrebnyak had a shot blocked for a corner, leading to another solid strike from Dempsey having to be headed off the line by Jack Colback, but in the main we had the better of the few chances created.
James McClean saw a turn and volley go right down the throat of Schwarzer, and when Fraizer Campbell and Nicklas Bendtner were added to the attacking mix, you felt we’d be able to convert one of these. This wouldn’t be the case as both substitutes missed gilt edged chances to level.
On 73 minutes, Bendtner took his turn to miss. Gardner played the ball into Sessegnon on the halfway line, the Benin international expertly turned and rounded his defender and on the charge towards goal played in a wide open Bendtner who should have finished rather than put the ball into the middle rows of the Putney End.
Two minuted later, Bendtner was the provider for Fraizer Campbell to fluff his lines. A long ball up to the Dane was nodded down well into Campbell’s path. On the run, 8-yards or so from goal, unmarked and in space, the former Manchester United man screwed the shot, and our chances in this one.
Fulham nearly heaped further agony on us in the final minute, however Simon Mignolet atoned for his early mistake by making a good stop, staying big. We ourselves had yet another sniff at the end when Campbell forced a corner, however that came to nothing and the game was over.
Team (Ratings in brackets)
Starting XI: Mignolet (7), O’Shea (7), Turner (5), Kilgallon (6), Bardsley (6), Gardner (6), Cattermole (4), Colback (6), McClean (6), Sessegnon (7), Dong-Won (7)
Subs Used: Bendtner (5), Campbell (5)
Man Of The Match: Simon Mignolet – A tough one to call, it really was, as there wasn’t a whole host of standout performers, so put this down as a one where it’s a case of Mignolet was one of the less rubbish ones. Error for Dempsey’s goal aside, the score could have resembled that of a cricket match had it not been for the Belgian. Stephane Sessegnon and Ji Dong-Won also would have come in with good shouts here too, so don’t bitch too much.
And so the season continues to go out with a whimper, the “Party With Marty” seems to be at an end, the glasses need washing up, and the silly string hoovered up. I assume that’s what happens at parties, I’m not the kind of person that does that sort of thing.
Anyway, the game. A bit rubbish, very flat and we really need to give ourselves a kick up the backside to have any chance against Manchester United this coming weekend. Far too many players under performed again this week, notably Lee Cattermole who was as rubbish with the ball as he was without it.
There’s still a lot of questions to be asked. Are the player simply not up to it? Should O’Neill take some of the blame for failing to inspire? I can’t say for certain, but I do know we’re absolutely desperate for a bit of quality in the squad, which is why the summer transfer window can’t come quickly enough.
KTF.
As you’re no doubt aware by now, we also lend our thoughts on all things SAFC to top local newspaper The Durham Times each and every week. Those folks have been kind enough to let us re-publish that on a weekend after it’s appeared in the actual paper on a Friday.
Anyway, if you want to start buying The Durham Times, and I really think you do, then you can get it from your local newsagents for the bargain price of just 50p. Failing that, head on over to their website on a daily basis for all the happenings in the North East – www.durhamtimes.co.uk
Or you know, if you just want to read our bit, then skip below to do so…
Monday’s Sunderland Supporters Association awards evening could well have been one set against the backdrop of another relegation battle for the Black Cats. As 2011 ticked into December, the Wearsiders found themselves just two points above the bottom three, waving goodbye to a dejected Steve Bruce.
It is testament to incoming manager Martin O’Neill then, and the club as a whole, that this year’s awards instead came amidst mid-table mediocrity. Safe from relegation but no longer able to propel themselves into a European spot, O’Neill’s men welcomed ardent fans to the Stadium of Light to celebrate a saved season.
The winners of the night’s two big prizes were, naturally, huge contributors to that rescue mission.
Top of the bill was diminutive maestro Stephane Sessegnon. The Benin international, to the surprise of none of the 400 in attendance, scooped the supporters’ Player of the Year award.
Derby day misadventures aside, it has been a breakout season for the tricky frontman. Looking somewhat lost as Bruce tried to pigeonhole him into a system that had long ceased working for the side, the arrival of a new manager revitalised last January’s £6 million signing from Paris St-Germain.
Despite rumours of homesickness circulating, Sessegnon has remained the central channel through which this Sunderland side most often travels. Much better suited to O’Neill’s preference for counter-attacking with pace, the man dubbed playfully by fans as a mix of “Pele and Messi” has often been the focal point of breaks out of defence, setting many an attacking move in motion.
Sessegnon’s own presence in front of goal this season must not be undermined either. With eight goals to his name he finds himself as joint top scorer alongside Nicklas Bendtner and Sebastian Larsson, while his nine assists put him at seventh overall in the Premier League.
His victory is a marked departure from last year’s winner, Phil Bardsley. Bardsley, though still admired and respected in the stands, represents an altogether more workmanlike player than his successor. On the contrary, Sessegnon is the type of player Sunderland have long dreamed of attracting to the club, and the type they surely need if they are to continue to improve their league position year on year.
Because of his undoubted talent, many fear this season may be Sessegnon’s last on Wearside – Monday’s award could well be a parting gift. Yet on Tuesday, in an interview with the Sunderland Echo, he stated: “I don’t feel that that my work here is finished. I’m playing for a team who like to play football, with great fans.”
Not quite the definitive promise that fans hoped for, but the chances of Sunderland retaining their star man have nevertheless been boosted.
One man who will certainly be going nowhere this summer is James McClean, who scooped the supporters’ Young Player of the Year award.
Fighting off stiff competition from Jack Colback for the accolade – who has shone particularly bright in recent weeks – McClean must go down as the Premier League’s find of the season. Plucked from Irish league obscurity in pre-season, he found himself limited to reserve team football under the cagey Bruce.
But, just as with so many in the squad, O’Neill’s arrival represented a new dawn for the direct winger. The rise that has followed has been somewhat meteoric – from being an unheard of nobody, McClean now regularly finds himself the subject of the attention of not just one, but two opposing players.
Weighing in with six goals himself, and a boatload of menacing crosses, his £350,000 fee conjured up memories of a similar cheap find by the name of Kevin Phillips. If McClean can go on to have even half the impact the man known as “Super Kev” did, then he can surely expect to be a regular attendee at club awards dinners for many years to come.
Back to the present though and, despite a petering out of sorts, the club once again finds itself on firm footing. Two games of the season remain, with a trip to Fulham and Craven Cottage first up this coming Sunday. After that the Black Cats welcome a Manchester United side who could well be fighting down to the wire in search of yet another league title – how welcome it is that Sunderland don’t find themselves fighting a last day relegation battle, especially considering the way their season seemed to be heading.
Monday evening was one of celebration, an opportunity for players and fans alike to mingle, and to thank one another for their respective efforts this year. Where recently such events may as well have been labelled the chance to crown the club’s “least worst” player, the Black Cats continued consolidation is something that must not be sniffed at.
An interesting summer awaits those on Wearside. Let us hope next year’s awards evening is the most celebrated yet.
CHRIS WEATHERSPOON
May 072012
Alright there, about time to get ready for today’s clash with Fulham, and we’ve got plenty to keep you going today with the game being covered on Roker Report from every conceivable angle. Let’s get on with it…
- Preview: Starting off with our preview of Fulham v Sunderland, and we’ve got everything to get you prepared. We’ve got team news from both sides, we’ve got betting tips, we’ve got music, predictions and much more, so come along and have a read – CLICK HERE
- Cult Heroes: The feature where we profile someone who played for both us, and them. Occasionally there’s someone pretty awesome who deserves it, other times it’s Carsten Fredgaard or the likes. Anyway, to find out who’s been inducted into the hall of fame, you’ll have to have a read – CLICK HERE
- Fan Focus: We speak to a fan of the opposition, or a journalist, or a blogger to get their views on the club, the game, and their season so far. We’ve sparked up the conversation with some Fulham fans, so head on over and see what they have to say for themselves in this ever-popular feature – CLICK HERE
- Podcast: Finally, if reading is just too much for you, or you’ve simply had enough of it, then check out our podcast. The only independently produced SAFC podcast around, and the only one prepared to tell it like it is. There’s plenty of ways to subscribe for free too – CLICK HERE
And if you want more, well keep reading. We’ve been up to a whole lot more this week too…
Starting on Monday with Talking Tactics. Karl Jones takes his tactical eye to the game against Bolton Wanderers and dissects what went right, and what went wrong from a tactical point of view. It’s like Zonal Marking, if they only bothered talking about Sunderland…
Click Here for Talking Tactics: Bolton Wanderers (H)
We also recapped the Bolton game from a completely different point of view in Roker Rhymes. Dan Williams gets all poetic about the performance last weekend at the Stadium Of Light…
On Tuesday we went in search of a new striker, since we apparently need one. There’s been much talk of there being a “Martin O’Neill Type Player”… but just what makes one? Who have been the previous ones, and who could we be pursuing in the summer for the role? Have a read and find out…
Click Here for Thoughts On A “Martin O’Neill Type” Striker
We also reported a bit of news. We don’t tend to do this until there’s something concrete, or it’s the summer and we feel there’s something to be said, so here we are with a quick dissection of Cristian Riveros’ move to Kayserispor.
Click Here for some Cristian Riveros news
There was also time in the week for more SAFC opinion from the man with more opinions than most, our own Captain Fishpaste, or as you might know him, Michael Graham. Check out what Old Man Graham’s been yammering on about this week as he writes for us…
Click Here for This Week’s Captain’s Blog
For the final time of the season, we nabbed a little chat with our mascots, Samson and Delilah as we went Behind Closed Doors at the Stadium Of Light for a coffee, and a big bowl of Whiskers…
Click Here for Behind Closed Doors
Michael Graham, never short of an opinion or seven, also popped in with a Roker Ramble about this weeks announcement that Roy Hodgson’s the new England manager and not Harry Redknapp as many, mainly the media, wanted…
Click Here for This Week’s Roker Ramble
Also, we’re up for a couple of awards at the EPL Talk awards. Best Club Blog, Best Club Podcast for the second year running in both. Vote for us, and vote often please!
Click Here to vote for Roker Report in the EPL Talk Awards 2012
And that’s about it for another week on Roker Report. We’ve got much more planned for the weekend though, including a match report shortly after full time from tomorrow’s game with Fulham, plus we’ve got our latest column from top North East newspaper, The Durham Times coming at you later today.
That’s it for now though, laters.
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