Talk of flip flops and beaches may be over-egging it – certainly over-egging it in fact – but that human trait of needing an incentive and edge to perform at your best is making away games a tough watch right now.
That City were grateful to emerge from the Stadium of Light with a point, and didn’t suffer the ignominy of being doubled by the Black Cats, was something of a bonus – all from a night when a line-up resembling the one that lost at QPR performed, for spells, like the one that lost at QPR.
I didn’t, however, have a particular problem with Daniel Farke deciding to shake things up after Saturday’s win over Villa. To ‘keep a winning side’ when there’s a greater need to rest tired limbs, experiment and offer game time to those on the fringes is a fair shout in my book. It’s just little consolation to those who braved a damp, miserable Tuesday evening and were rewarded with something a far cry from the Villa performance.
But it was a point, not a defeat, and at least those hardcore 500+ didn’t have to make the trip home in the early hours with that gnawing pain that accompanies away-day deflation. They were the real heroes to emerge from last night.
In truth, it could have easily have been a win they were mulling over on their travels home, such was the ease with which City created and then missed chances, but Sunderland themselves will point to an Aiden McGeady penalty that slammed against the post, which, as it transpired, would have won the game for them.
It was one of those nights. Not high on quality, but a game that was open – too open – and could, to coin a cliché, literally have gone either way. Yet the missed opportunities that were shared between Messrs Maddison and Oliveira were of the sitter variety.
A clinical touch in front of goal will unquestionably be something that Team Farke will be looking to add to the group over the summer months, but what is pleasing is that in general chances are now being created with greater frequency.
There was a spell in the bleak midwinter when goalscoring opportunities were so rare, them being clinically taken was the least of our problems but, particularly on the road, the chances tend to be there now.
There was little arguing over City deserving their point last night, even though they did leave it very late, and ditto the hunger in this bunch even with the season meandering to a close.
Ivo Pinto’s finish was a good one but equally significant were the celebrations that followed, which included his compatriot. This was not a group who have thrown the towel in and, whatever the reason, Nelson Oliveira appears one who has rediscovered his appetite. Maybe it’s shop window syndrome but he put in a good shift last night, the misses aside.
One other thing to emerge from last night was that Marcus Edwards’ loan spell has been brought to a premature end and he’s returned to Spurs.
No big surprise, the lad is clearly talented but the fact it appears he came here for little more than a telling off suggests there are issues that extend beyond his ability to perform on the green stuff.
But no harm done. Just a shame we weren’t able to benefit, even for a couple of months, from that talent.
In terms of Sunderland, while the Friendship Trophy has never really floated my boat, it’s hard to watch a club of their ilk struggle. We’ve been there of course and it’s rotten but while there may be some pain along the way they’ll get back to where they want to be… eventually.
In this second career of mine, the nicest people I’ve worked with outside of the Fine City are Sunderland folk. And I feel for them.
So … the clock now ticks to Warnock time. Anyone who witnessed his meltdown at the end of Friday’s defeat by Wolves will know the dear boy is getting a little edgy.
Wouldn’t it be a shame if we were to add to that 😉
As usual a great report, Gary, with nails squarely hit. Like you, I like the Mackems. I lived up there in a previous life, during the League Cup time indeed, when an office full of Black Cats swarmed over to my desk on the Monday,full of praise for the spirit and good grace of Norwich. For that reason, as an antidote for a nasty, brutal period in the life of English football, I smile at the corniness of the Friendship Cup. If Sunderland are relegated, I hope they are not too proud to enjoy the spirit of League One, still my favourite season of away games. I also hope they don’t go broke.
High in effort and entertainment, low on quality, this would have been a good advert for League 2 football.
It could easily have been 3-0, 0-3, 3-3, or 0-0 at half time. Sunderland players appeared to have lit all ability to control the ball, score a penalty, or finish when through on goal. We lost any ability to finish and all structural cohesiveness.
Throw in a canary call without callers and a Stadium if Light without light, Marcus Edwards and Mic, and it was all a bit farcical.
With nothing on the line for us it was oddly enjoyable.
Good article Gary
Although I would have preferred to see Srbeny given the start over Oliveira, in his press interview Farke said that when DS came off after 80 mins against Villa he was exhausted and said to DF he couldn’t go on so I can understand him not starting.
Sunderland are a good example of how badly things could be for us as a recently relegated side – one of the highest wage bills in the league with a raft of good players and they look certainties to go down.
Other things from last night – surely this has to have been Husband’s last chance? Unless its through injuries, Lewis just offers a lot more. Edwards being sent home – I doubt we will ever know all the details but its a pity this didn’t work out, but at least it didn’t cost us anything.
Hi Gary – a very good read and the summary was to the point.
Again last night I was on the Pinkun in-match report during the game and there were so many negative comments, still a few wanting Team Farke to be sacked.
I, for one, like what Webber and Farke are trying to do so would give it another season and if Team Farke hasn’t improved enough for a tilt at the playoffs, then might be the time Webber looks for a replacement.
As you mentioned, this is the time to give fringe players a chance to shine and others to redeem themselves with the coach and supporters, and a few will be trying to prove they are worthy of a new contract. Then are those who just might be trying to impress other clubs who want them.
We all know we have a nucleus of a good team; any sales must be done asap so the recruitment of replacements can also be done quickly and get bedded in.
Late sales will hinder any recruitment for monetary reasons – I hope those being released are told soon so they might have a chance to say a fond farewell to the club and supporters – not like the farce with Huckerby.
Lastly, let’s have a good win over Cardiff on Saturday. 1 question – is there a possibility that Warnock will buy Wildshut? Or will he be coming back? Another overpriced recruit by AN.
On last night’s performance I can understand why pinkun may have been negative. We were playing a dreadful team and we looked about par with them. Gone was any semblance of controlling the game, or even a plan. We could easily have been 3-0 down had Sunderland’s strikers not been woefully incompetent. We were not without chances either, but there was no cutting edge on show like vs. Villa.
It was hugely entertaining but ludicrously bad.
Hi David
Yes, the negative comments were expected with both sides performances but over the last few months it is always the same people calling for Team Farke to go and they never have anything positive to say even when – like at the Villa game – 2 reporters give a good account for those that can’t get to the game.
It has to be hard for them reading some of the comments and then putting them out there to be read.
Some commenters just don’t get that City are in transition, don’t like the new set up, so find the slightest thing to moan about.
This season from the start was a write-off so that the new set-up could begin the changes that were needed. Now lets hope for a new beginning next season with a very good end product and possibly a promotion.
London Canary – The Telegraph believes that Edwards was late turning up for every single training session and failed to engage with any of the other players. Am not sure how much Norwich knew about him before the loan but I get the impression there was no financial cost to Norwich because Spurs had run out of ideas on how to get him focused.
Will Marcus Edwards be the next Harry Kane; an all too brief Canary loan followed by subsequent Spurs after life?
I rather doubt it. If anyone can give a young player direction and support, I suspect it’s Daniel Farke. Edwards appears to need a big shock to his system (aka a massive kick up the backside).
There’s no comparison Gary.
Harry Kane earned himself a reputation for working very hard to improve his game in his first two loans and would have undoubtedly done the same with us had he not broken his foot in his second game. And don’t forget we were in the Premier League at the time so he was trying to play at a much higher standard than Edwards.
He, and we, were just very unlucky.
Interesting Gary. I read somewhere that he is great n the ball, but expects it passed to him and doesn’t expect to do much off the ball.
Sunderland game was hugely entertaining and we shld have put away a few of the many chances we created. There was nothing in the game for us but pride so to have kept going right to the end to grab an equaliser says a lot about the team spirit.
We were never going to be challenging for the playoffs this season given the massive changes at the club. Webber and Farke have impressed me and l hope we’re nearer the top than mid table next year but the Champs is a very tough league and the battle for promotion next season will be no less frustrating or painful.