I can't help but think this game was lost partly in the pre-game mind games

Big Sam framed Sunderland as the underdogs to put the pressure on us. He then expected us to come out all guns blazing and we did. But his game plan worked a treat - soak up the pressure and crank up the tension a bit more, then nick a goal on the break and puncture the balloon. I don't blame Neil that much for this - he's a young manager who's still learning and there's nothing he can do about what the opposition says (and even less about losing your star CB for the season the week before). I do, however, think his choice of Naismith over Hoolahan was clearly the wrong one. The same for leaving Redmond out (though I'd have replaced Jarvis instead of Brady).

Posted By: King, Apr 16, 17:06:05