Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool
An emotional week for Liverpool fans may not have ended perfectly for their team but picking up a point in The Stadium Light will have eased some of their worries about the immediate Premier League future.
The match started well for Liverpool who really should have opened the scoring through Fabio Borini early on though sadly the Italian striker failed to put away either of his 2 early chances. Despite the good start for the visitors it was actually Sunderland who took the lead thanks to Steven Fletcher, who bagged his 3rd goal from 2 starts since moving from Wolves.
Having fallen behind Liverpool searched desperately for an equaliser and came close a number of times as they began to really boss the game with Sunderland looking to counter. Despite coming close a number of times Liverpool really struggled to carve open the defense and the chances were rarely clear cut, despite forcing Simon Mignolet in to action a number of times.
Despite Sunderland holding firm for much of the game Liverpool did eventually manage to bag an equaliser via the always controversial Luis Suarez who had previously been booked for diving. After the scores were level Liverpool looked like the only team likely to score a winner though they couldn't find a second goal despite trying to turn the screw.
Sunderland, just like Stoke bizarrely, are still unbeaten but with out a single victory, however they have taken a point from both Liverpool and Arsenal which was perhaps a little unexpected. The addition of Steven Fletcher to the team gives them what appears to be a real hit man up front capable of scoring the goals Sunderland need to make an impact in the Premier League this year.
Liverpool may not be a team who are going to challenge for a Premier League title but Brendon Rodgers is bringing his team along well. They are lacking a striker, Borini is, to be polite, not Premier League quality and whilst Suarez is a good player he's not a true goalscorer (and he's also a player who appears to have a poor temperament). Unless Liverpool can find an out and out goalscorer in the next few months they are going to struggle to win games against teams who have solid defenses. Don't get me wrong they play some beautiful football but they aren't a team with a lot of goals in them.
Showing posts with label Martin O'Neill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Martin O'Neill. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Friday, 14 September 2012
Premier League Week 4-Preview and prediction (Sunderland v Liverpool)
Sunderland is the venue for our late kick off this Saturday as the Black Cats host a Liverpool team who desperately need a win to kick start their season after a hugely disappointing start to Brendon Rodgers' reign and a massively emotional week.
Despite sitting 13th in the Premier League Sunderland are actually unbeaten having picked up draws against both Arsenal (0-0) and high flying Swansea (2-2) as they showed both defensive toughness (against Arsenal) and a serious offensive threat through Steven Fletcher. They will certainly be looking to pick up their first league win against a very nervous looking Liverpool.
Whilst the quality of Martin O'Neill is well known the fact that Sunderland's squad is also strong is something that appears to often be over-looked. With international players littered throughout the team they really don't have any glaring weaknesses, although they may struggle to score a huge number of goals, despite the threat of Fletcher. This was an issue last season as well with just 45 Premier League goals (tied 13th best). This is somewhat countered however by the strong defensive line of John O'Shea, Carlos Cuellar and Belgian Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
Having finished 13th in the Premier League last season Sunderland will be looking to build on a successful mid-table finish. The Sunderland fans will be hoping that, like last season, their team will be strong at home (where they picked up 28 of their 45 points) and if they are, they will hoping to secure another win at home against Liverpool.
For Liverpool fans this past week has been about much, much more than just football, it's been about justice. Having finally had the truth about the Hillsborough tragedy more than 20 years ago they will be hoping their team start to show the form that they remember from that era. Sadly however Liverpool have really struggled on the pitch this season having only picked up a single point from their 3 games so far.
Brendon Rodgers has got Liverpool playing some genuinely gorgeous football, with some beautiful passing and movement but the results sadly hadn't followed their performances, most notable their 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Sadly for Liverpool they have shown a knack of making really major errors in games, giving away goals and penalties at an alarming rate and undoing all their good work.
Whilst Liverpool have a solid and experienced team they just need to start getting results sooner rather than later or they will find themselves questioning their own ability, a real problem at Liverpool in recent years. Whilst we all know last season was disappointing (with an 8th placed finish) it sadly followed finishes of 6th and 7th in the previous 2 years and has seen them going through a number of managers one after the other, a real issue.
I wouldn't write Liverpool off here as the team hopefully will react positively after the news of this previous week, however unless they really start to click they will struggle with a solid Sunderland team.
Kick-Off: 17:30
Prediction: 1-0
Expected Line Ups:
Sunderland-
Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose, Johnson, Cattermole, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher (4-4-2)
Liverpool-
Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Gerrard, Sahin, Allen, Borini, Suarez, Sterling (4-4-2)
Notes:Sunderland have won 2 of the last 3 games against Liverpool at the Stadium of Light
A loss for Liverpool would signify their worst start to a league season in over 100 years.
Players to watch out for-
Sunderland:
Adam Johnson-The former Manchester City attacker adds a real level of class to the Sunderland squad and will be looking to force himself into the England mix after having rarely played for City last year. Whilst he is considered a doubt for the match, his inclusion will play a big part in whether or not Sunderland will be able to win the Midfield battle.
Steven Fletcher-Sunderland's major goal threat will be given a tough match by the Liverpool defense but he'll be a continual threat throughout the game, especially in the air. Whilst Fletcher isn't quick he is able to show his strength and bully defenders who are questioning themselves like the Liverpool defense will be.
Liverpool:
Raheem Sterling-There has been little to really celebrate on the pitch for Liverpool however the emergence of youngster Raheem Sterling has been one of those few things. The very promising youngster has looked sensational against both Manchester City and Arsenal and seems likely to be a threat to the Sunderland defense here. Keep an eye out for another out standing performance from this youngster.
Luis Suarez-The every controversial Uruguayan appears to be Liverpool's only proven attacker at the moment and a lot is resting on his shoulders. Sadly for Liverpool Suarez has so far been less than successful at finding the back of the goal, despite having had a number of great chances. If Suarez can't get his shooting boots on sooner, rather than later, Liverpool will seriously struggle.
Despite sitting 13th in the Premier League Sunderland are actually unbeaten having picked up draws against both Arsenal (0-0) and high flying Swansea (2-2) as they showed both defensive toughness (against Arsenal) and a serious offensive threat through Steven Fletcher. They will certainly be looking to pick up their first league win against a very nervous looking Liverpool.
Whilst the quality of Martin O'Neill is well known the fact that Sunderland's squad is also strong is something that appears to often be over-looked. With international players littered throughout the team they really don't have any glaring weaknesses, although they may struggle to score a huge number of goals, despite the threat of Fletcher. This was an issue last season as well with just 45 Premier League goals (tied 13th best). This is somewhat countered however by the strong defensive line of John O'Shea, Carlos Cuellar and Belgian Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
Having finished 13th in the Premier League last season Sunderland will be looking to build on a successful mid-table finish. The Sunderland fans will be hoping that, like last season, their team will be strong at home (where they picked up 28 of their 45 points) and if they are, they will hoping to secure another win at home against Liverpool.
For Liverpool fans this past week has been about much, much more than just football, it's been about justice. Having finally had the truth about the Hillsborough tragedy more than 20 years ago they will be hoping their team start to show the form that they remember from that era. Sadly however Liverpool have really struggled on the pitch this season having only picked up a single point from their 3 games so far.
Brendon Rodgers has got Liverpool playing some genuinely gorgeous football, with some beautiful passing and movement but the results sadly hadn't followed their performances, most notable their 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Sadly for Liverpool they have shown a knack of making really major errors in games, giving away goals and penalties at an alarming rate and undoing all their good work.
Whilst Liverpool have a solid and experienced team they just need to start getting results sooner rather than later or they will find themselves questioning their own ability, a real problem at Liverpool in recent years. Whilst we all know last season was disappointing (with an 8th placed finish) it sadly followed finishes of 6th and 7th in the previous 2 years and has seen them going through a number of managers one after the other, a real issue.
I wouldn't write Liverpool off here as the team hopefully will react positively after the news of this previous week, however unless they really start to click they will struggle with a solid Sunderland team.
Kick-Off: 17:30
Prediction: 1-0
Expected Line Ups:
Sunderland-
Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose, Johnson, Cattermole, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher (4-4-2)
Liverpool-
Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Gerrard, Sahin, Allen, Borini, Suarez, Sterling (4-4-2)
Notes:Sunderland have won 2 of the last 3 games against Liverpool at the Stadium of Light
A loss for Liverpool would signify their worst start to a league season in over 100 years.
Players to watch out for-
Sunderland:
Adam Johnson-The former Manchester City attacker adds a real level of class to the Sunderland squad and will be looking to force himself into the England mix after having rarely played for City last year. Whilst he is considered a doubt for the match, his inclusion will play a big part in whether or not Sunderland will be able to win the Midfield battle.
Steven Fletcher-Sunderland's major goal threat will be given a tough match by the Liverpool defense but he'll be a continual threat throughout the game, especially in the air. Whilst Fletcher isn't quick he is able to show his strength and bully defenders who are questioning themselves like the Liverpool defense will be.
Liverpool:
Raheem Sterling-There has been little to really celebrate on the pitch for Liverpool however the emergence of youngster Raheem Sterling has been one of those few things. The very promising youngster has looked sensational against both Manchester City and Arsenal and seems likely to be a threat to the Sunderland defense here. Keep an eye out for another out standing performance from this youngster.
Luis Suarez-The every controversial Uruguayan appears to be Liverpool's only proven attacker at the moment and a lot is resting on his shoulders. Sadly for Liverpool Suarez has so far been less than successful at finding the back of the goal, despite having had a number of great chances. If Suarez can't get his shooting boots on sooner, rather than later, Liverpool will seriously struggle.
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Premier League Week 1-Write up Arsenal v Sunderland
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Arsenal week has been a bad one, not only have they seen their talisman Robin Van Persie leave for bitter rivals Manchester United but they've also bee dragged into a transfer saga regarding their defender Alex Song who is a wanted in Barcelona. Despite this Arsenal have signed a number of highly regarded players themselves which are expected to turn Arsenal back into a title contending team. The Gunners started their campaign against Sunderland who's key signing in the transfer window was experienced Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar whilst they lost Asomoah Gyan.
From the off Arsenal looked the more dangerous team with new signing Santi Cazorla pulling the strings and looking like a real class act for the Gunners. Sadly despite looking dangerous Arsenal couldn't convert any of their numerous chances due to real issues with accuracy. As well as Arsenal's problems with aiming Sunderland refused to give space and time and were working hard for a point and their manager.
As much as Arsenal tried to score a winner they simply couldn't get the goal they needed and despite dominating the game they had to settle for a point. Despite only getting a point it's fair to say that Arsenal have signed some excellent players in Carzola, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud and the three really have potential to turn Arsenal into a very serious title threat. The team will gel well and has a lot of flair with real goal scoring threats. Write Arsenal off at your own peril.
Whilst Sunderland were out played for vast chunks of the game they played hard and played for their manager who appears to have the team doing what he wants them to. Whilst it's fair to say they were negative they knew they'd be out gunned if they tried to go toe-to-toe with Arsenal. If I was a Sunderland fan this year I'd have to say I'd be pretty relaxed with the knowledge that, at worst I'd be supporting a solid, mid table team with an excellent manager. Whilst it's true Sunderland haven't spent much they have a solid team there and I'd imagine O'Neill will be looking to bring in at least 1 more player, probably an attacker before the window closes just to strengthen his team.
Arsenal week has been a bad one, not only have they seen their talisman Robin Van Persie leave for bitter rivals Manchester United but they've also bee dragged into a transfer saga regarding their defender Alex Song who is a wanted in Barcelona. Despite this Arsenal have signed a number of highly regarded players themselves which are expected to turn Arsenal back into a title contending team. The Gunners started their campaign against Sunderland who's key signing in the transfer window was experienced Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar whilst they lost Asomoah Gyan.
From the off Arsenal looked the more dangerous team with new signing Santi Cazorla pulling the strings and looking like a real class act for the Gunners. Sadly despite looking dangerous Arsenal couldn't convert any of their numerous chances due to real issues with accuracy. As well as Arsenal's problems with aiming Sunderland refused to give space and time and were working hard for a point and their manager.
As much as Arsenal tried to score a winner they simply couldn't get the goal they needed and despite dominating the game they had to settle for a point. Despite only getting a point it's fair to say that Arsenal have signed some excellent players in Carzola, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud and the three really have potential to turn Arsenal into a very serious title threat. The team will gel well and has a lot of flair with real goal scoring threats. Write Arsenal off at your own peril.
Whilst Sunderland were out played for vast chunks of the game they played hard and played for their manager who appears to have the team doing what he wants them to. Whilst it's fair to say they were negative they knew they'd be out gunned if they tried to go toe-to-toe with Arsenal. If I was a Sunderland fan this year I'd have to say I'd be pretty relaxed with the knowledge that, at worst I'd be supporting a solid, mid table team with an excellent manager. Whilst it's true Sunderland haven't spent much they have a solid team there and I'd imagine O'Neill will be looking to bring in at least 1 more player, probably an attacker before the window closes just to strengthen his team.
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