Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: cdbearsfan on September 21, 2025, 03:56:18 PM

Title: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: cdbearsfan on September 21, 2025, 03:56:18 PM
Well, at least we scored a goal.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Percy McCarthy on September 21, 2025, 03:56:39 PM
Fucking rubbish.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Nev on September 21, 2025, 03:57:23 PM
Diabolical.

Emery legging it does not look good.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: villadelph on September 21, 2025, 03:57:37 PM
Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, hang your heads in shame. Pathetic from both today.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: SamTheMouse on September 21, 2025, 03:57:49 PM
Ok. I'm genuinely worried now. Something is very wrong indeed.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Percy McCarthy on September 21, 2025, 03:57:50 PM
I expected us to lose until the sending off, and I think we would have.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Rigadon on September 21, 2025, 03:58:24 PM
This is properly bad.  Like, relegation bad.  There isnt a single team in this league I’d be confident of beating at the moment.  Rogers.  Like playing with 10 men.  Watkins, make that 9 men. 

Emery needs to sort this shit out and fast. 
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Chip Butty 111 on September 21, 2025, 03:58:36 PM
If we can swap Rogers for Ted Rogers, and put the rest of them in Dusty Bin, we'll be OK
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: German James on September 21, 2025, 03:58:40 PM
We offer nothing at all. I can't really understand how the bottom could have dropped out so completely.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Jane on September 21, 2025, 03:58:57 PM
Unai going down the tunnel before FT was a bit odd.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: DB on September 21, 2025, 03:59:06 PM
We look so slow and have no ideas around the edge of their box.2 goals this season, 1 was a keeper cock up and 2nd a long range swerving shot. We just aren't creating, too slow.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Toronto Villa on September 21, 2025, 03:59:12 PM
I expect Emery’s comments to start to sound like of end of life Lambert. Where we were excellent every game or in Emery’s case he can see improvement and progress. Forgetting the fact we are playing at newly promoted Sunderland down to 10 men for the vast majority of the game. This is an awful, awful result. We desperately needed a win and a side that was in the CL last season against a side from the Championship couldn’t find a way to professionally secure 3 points is borderline unforgivable.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: AlexAlexCropley on September 21, 2025, 03:59:31 PM
That ending line up from the beginning wins us the game. Bogarde impresses again.
The rest I'll leave to others.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: curiousorange on September 21, 2025, 03:59:37 PM
Something has to change. I've a feeling it might.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Goldenballs on September 21, 2025, 03:59:43 PM
Embarrassing really, why did nobody challenge Xhaka?
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: villadelph on September 21, 2025, 03:59:49 PM
We offer nothing at all. I can't really understand how the bottom could have dropped out so completely.

No Duran to steal points and Morgan Rogers has nothing going for him. Youri and Onana injured doesn’t help.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PeterWithesShin on September 21, 2025, 03:59:50 PM
Barely deserved the point,

Guessand was better, Sancho was decent. Everyone else was shit.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: cdbearsfan on September 21, 2025, 04:00:03 PM
Unai going down the tunnel before FT was a bit odd.

I like to imagine he wants to get to the dressing room before the players so he can balance a bucket of water on the door.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Nelly on September 21, 2025, 04:00:16 PM
Deeply worrying. If any player isn't committed or wants away, or whatever it might be. I'd rather we didn't play them.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Deano's Mullet on September 21, 2025, 04:00:19 PM
I hope he bollocks the lot of them.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: DB on September 21, 2025, 04:00:20 PM
That ending line up from the beginning wins us the game. Bogarde impresses again.
The rest I'll leave to others.

Sancho looked good then he came on.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: villadelph on September 21, 2025, 04:00:24 PM
Barely deserved the point,

Guessand was better, Sancho was decent. Everyone else was shit.

Elliott wasn’t bad.. at least he understood what direction the goal was.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: curiousorange on September 21, 2025, 04:00:25 PM
It's relegation form. I'm sorry but that's a fact.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: brontebilly on September 21, 2025, 04:00:27 PM
In big trouble now. Didn't see game today but thought there were some positive signs during the week. Horribly negative starting line up away to a newly promoted team.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: saint13 on September 21, 2025, 04:00:50 PM
Very poor all round. I don't know excatly what it is, but something is very wrong. For some reason, it took them until 85 mins before they played with any urgency.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: wolfman999 on September 21, 2025, 04:00:53 PM
Unbeaten in 2.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: itmustbe_it is! on September 21, 2025, 04:01:02 PM
Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers - 26 England caps between them.

Gary Shaw, Dennis Mortimer and Brian Little - only 1 cap between them. 

Let that sink in for a bit , especially after that shower of shite.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Tuscans on September 21, 2025, 04:01:16 PM
We buy new players, we sell them....we keep the old lot and many are done. We can't buy new players, can we afford to sack the manager something like £35m left on his contract. Could be in for a rough ride over the next few years.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: curiousorange on September 21, 2025, 04:01:30 PM
Unai going down the tunnel before FT was a bit odd.

I like to imagine he wants to get to the dressing room before the players so he can balance a bucket of water on the door.

Bucket of piss
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on September 21, 2025, 04:02:19 PM
We look so slow and have no ideas around the edge of their box.2 goals this season, 1 was a keeper cock up and 2nd a long range swerving shot. We just aren't creating, too slow.

Both goals have been keeper errors.
Watkins has to at least get his head on that Sancho cross but generally created bugger all and got one more point than we deserved, so that’s a positive, right?
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: cdbearsfan on September 21, 2025, 04:02:20 PM
Unai going down the tunnel before FT was a bit odd.

I like to imagine he wants to get to the dressing room before the players so he can balance a bucket of water on the door.

Bucket of piss

Where's Steve Harrison when you need him?
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Paul.S on September 21, 2025, 04:02:45 PM
Terrible again, and against 10 men.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Brazilian Villain on September 21, 2025, 04:03:11 PM
We didn't lose.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulTheVillan on September 21, 2025, 04:03:16 PM
Watkins couldn’t finish a wank.
Rogers couldn’t start a wank.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: KevinGage on September 21, 2025, 04:03:18 PM
There's good and there's not good.

This is not good.

A bit better in possession today compared to Everton away. But so we should be, against a newly promoted Championship side down to 10 men.

We're close to talk of Emery needing to save his job with positive results in the next three home games.

I expected some dropoff from the last few years with the business we did in the summer. But not this level of drop off.

It looks like a few players - and maybe the manager himself - are having a sulk.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: paul_e on September 21, 2025, 04:03:23 PM
Really poor until Sancho came on, he at least added a bit of intent, no idea why he wasn't on for Buendia at half time though.

Awful from Rogers, nothing is working for him and he looks afraid of getting involved.

Watkins I felt sorry for until he failed to get anything on the Sancho cross, that should've been the match winner.

The defending from Knosa and Cash for their goal was shocking.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: JUAN PABLO on September 21, 2025, 04:03:26 PM
Im getting frustrated with the players he keeps picking.
Rogers leave him out please , the more you play him he aint going to be worth 5 million at this rate , Buendia is championship , Watkins  is well out of form.
Why not start with  Elliot and Maatsen and should have got Sancho on at HT , he was good.
Too slow most the time and the set pieces are rubbish.
Malen kills the game but that watkins miss , oh my , rubbish.
Need Youri as quick as poss.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Percy McCarthy on September 21, 2025, 04:03:58 PM
I enjoyed all the football I watched all day yesterday because Villa weren’t ruining it. It didn’t last.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: rougegorge on September 21, 2025, 04:04:24 PM
The starting line up was negative and to play for so long against a newly promoted team with 10 men in the way we did was inexcusable. Some players may be bereft of confidence but their lack of commitment is exacerbating the situation.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: dorsetvillian on September 21, 2025, 04:05:37 PM
Thought the combo of Sancho and Mattsen looked promising. That's what Uni is looking for. He's got options but needs to find the right combinations.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: ROBBO on September 21, 2025, 04:06:29 PM
I am coming to believe that Emery has lost senior players.Rogers and Watkins both diabilocal and should be dropped, its like playing with nine men. I hate the style of football we are playing it's as dull as dish water, no movement no exitement and thats down to Emery. The way he walked of before the end tells a story, we are not a happy team at Villa Park.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: cdbearsfan on September 21, 2025, 04:07:39 PM
I enjoyed all the football I watched all day yesterday because Villa weren’t ruining it. It didn’t last.

I can't watch football when Villa have been shit. Was going to watch Arsenal v Man City but bollocks to it.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Mellin on September 21, 2025, 04:07:50 PM
Saw the team, so didn't watch the first half. Checked at half time and saw it was 0-0 with them down to 10 men. Thought I'd give it a go. Biggest error of the day. Won't make the same mistake next week.

The quality isn't there this season. It's going to be a slog. Still have faith in everything behind the front four though.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: rob_bridge on September 21, 2025, 04:08:09 PM
We were awful against a bog standard side - albeit one riding high.

Martinez    5
Cash         3 would have been 1 without the strikes
Konsa        5
Mings        5
Digne        2 Maatsen 4
Kamara     5 Bogarde  4
McGinn      6
Rogers       2 Sancho  5
Watkins      1
Guessand   6 Malen    2
Buendia      1 Eliot      5
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Olneythelonely on September 21, 2025, 04:08:29 PM
Utter Blues again. We’re easily one of the worst teams in the league at the moment. I don’t see how it changes either.

Rogers not shaking hands with the sub and heading straight down the tunnel suggests something is wrong. Same with Unai going before the final whistle. It completely stinks.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PeterWithesShin on September 21, 2025, 04:09:05 PM
Replay of our attacking build up today

(https://media.tenor.com/8XIo8ys9vBAAAAAM/soccer-simpsons.gif)
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Sexual Ealing on September 21, 2025, 04:09:38 PM
I made a few quid, if that helps?
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: tomd2103 on September 21, 2025, 04:09:43 PM
Elliott and Sancho at least added some energy and can hopefully establish themselves in the starting line-up.  We all of a sudden look desperately short of quality all over the pitch. 
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PhilVill on September 21, 2025, 04:10:00 PM
I don't care what 'credit in the bank' you have as a manager, this can't be allowed to continue for much longer and to be quite honest, I can't see this been turned around as there is a refusal to try something different.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Cropley10 on September 21, 2025, 04:10:01 PM
I can understand Emery’s frustration. How the fuck do you bring speed and urgency to this team?
I can forgive Watkins his lack of ammunition, but he misses when he gets it. Rogers can’t start again, but the slooooow play of Cash/Konsa/Mings hamstrings us against any team that parks the bus.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Beard82 on September 21, 2025, 04:10:07 PM
We had at least 2 chance where we really should have scored - watkins and Guessard in the first half.   And Malen really needed to do better

I thought we played ok - but our forward players seem way off it.  Though Guessard was the pick - sancho looked ok too.  Watkins, Rogers and Beundia would have been better not playing.

It feels like there is something really not right, it might just be the forward players are completely devoid of believe.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: villadelph on September 21, 2025, 04:10:07 PM
I am coming to believe that Emery has lost senior players.Rogers and Watkins both diabilocal and should be dropped, its like playing with nine men. I hate the style of football we are playing it's as dull as dish water, no movement no exitement and thats down to Emery. The way he walked of before the end tells a story, we are not a happy team at Villa Park.

Rogers would still be on the bench for league games at Boro if it weren’t for Emery. The manager deserves way more professionalism and application than what is being afforded. Style and setup aside, any 11 we put out there should have been able to grind out a result today.

Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: wolfman999 on September 21, 2025, 04:10:13 PM
The tapping it around on the edge of the box is clearly down to a lack of confidence. Every player is now terrified of getting it wrong so pass the responsibility to someone else. Cash takes a shot and there you go. They need to get back to trying things and accepting they might not always come off.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: cdbearsfan on September 21, 2025, 04:11:13 PM
I made a few quid, if that helps?

I'm up a hundred quid on the week thanks to Villa. High five.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: German James on September 21, 2025, 04:11:33 PM
We offer nothing at all. I can't really understand how the bottom could have dropped out so completely.

No Duran to steal points and Morgan Rogers has nothing going for him. Youri and Onana injured doesn’t help.
That's some of it... But it's not all of it.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: puppyfeat on September 21, 2025, 04:13:19 PM
Embarrassing really, why did nobody challenge Xhaka?
I was wondering why tf we didn't sign him, he's just the kind of player we need right now.

Abysmal shitshow. Sacked in the morning, hopefully.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Chris_Jephcott on September 21, 2025, 04:14:00 PM
Simply put, in 2 words, after a bloody terrible week of work related stress.

Bollocks it.

Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Pat McMahon on September 21, 2025, 04:14:25 PM
Unai going down the tunnel before FT was a bit odd.

I like to imagine he wants to get to the dressing room before the players so he can balance a bucket of water on the door.

Bucket of piss

Where's Steve Harrison when you need him?

I think he's still hiding on top of the wardrobe
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: villadelph on September 21, 2025, 04:14:52 PM
We offer nothing at all. I can't really understand how the bottom could have dropped out so completely.

No Duran to steal points and Morgan Rogers has nothing going for him. Youri and Onana injured doesn’t help.
That's some of it... But it's not all of it.

In a team that sacrifices width, if your forward isn’t getting chances or scoring and your #10 is missing in action.. how are you supposed to manufacture goals?

Elliott being able to show to and receive a ball then drive at goal today made Rogers look like an amateur.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: cdbearsfan on September 21, 2025, 04:14:56 PM
Unai going down the tunnel before FT was a bit odd.

I like to imagine he wants to get to the dressing room before the players so he can balance a bucket of water on the door.

Bucket of piss

Where's Steve Harrison when you need him?

I think he's still hiding on top of the wardrobe

Got to admire his commitment keeping it going this long.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: dorsetvillian on September 21, 2025, 04:15:01 PM
Let's hope Uni doesn't read this thread. It's like an entitled top 4 group of supporters.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: curiousorange on September 21, 2025, 04:15:02 PM
Unai going down the tunnel before FT was a bit odd.

I like to imagine he wants to get to the dressing room before the players so he can balance a bucket of water on the door.

Bucket of piss

Where's Steve Harrison when you need him?

Hopefully not in a toilet cubicle.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Brazilian Villain on September 21, 2025, 04:16:01 PM
I made a few quid, if that helps?

Pleased for you. Spend it wisely, young man.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: pauliewalnuts on September 21, 2025, 04:16:11 PM
Let's hope Uni doesn't read this thread. It's like an entitled top 4 group of supporters.

At least they can spell his name right.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: VILLA MOLE on September 21, 2025, 04:16:16 PM
Sunderland were a an aggressive well organised physical team that we would have beaten last season. We have to start taking games to teams .  see don’t look like we are ready for the fight at the moment u
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on September 21, 2025, 04:16:21 PM
Thought the combo of Sancho and Mattsen looked promising. That's what Uni is looking for. He's got options but needs to find the right combinations.

Yes, this combination looked promising in the week, so why didn’t they both start today? Back to the mind mending negative shit.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Sexual Ealing on September 21, 2025, 04:16:35 PM
I made a few quid, if that helps?

I'm up a hundred quid on the week thanks to Villa. High five.

Congratulations! You're operating on a higher level than me. I'm chuffed with my £16 profit on the day, with fingers crossed for the draw in the next game.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: wolfman999 on September 21, 2025, 04:16:48 PM
Sky off our game to the Arse Citeh game in the quickest switch I have ever seen.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Goldenballs on September 21, 2025, 04:16:51 PM
Sancho and Maatsen looked lively, let's start with that in the next 2. Elliot didn't make a difference, he just slotted into the averageness of everything else.

Malen is rubbish. Rogers can have a sulk on the bench for the next few. I'd drop Watkins too, but we have fuck all else.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: wolfman999 on September 21, 2025, 04:20:02 PM
Sancho and Maatsen looked lively, let's start with that in the next 2. Elliot didn't make a difference, he just slotted into the averageness of everything else.

Malen is rubbish. Rogers can have a sulk on the bench for the next few. I'd drop Watkins too, but we have fuck all else.

Malen is apparently on Gbp175k a week. I'll leave that out there.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: SaddVillan on September 21, 2025, 04:22:21 PM
Sunderland knew how to play when down to 10 men.

Set up in a low block, squeeze play into the middle, defend in depth, and play longbl balls into the channels to win throw- ins and free kicks; and lob them into the box.

We didn't have the faintest idea what to do against 10 men, slow, sloppy, soporific shite. We were unable to adapt or change our style of play. No quick passing or variety.

Jeez, it's coaching 1.0.

Regret buying a ticket for Thursday.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: passport1 on September 21, 2025, 04:22:43 PM
Sunderland could have gone down to five men and we would still be clueless as to how to beat them.
In the fist half I found myself wondering what we were trying to do.

Unless something changes dramatically we are in trouble this season.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: LeeS on September 21, 2025, 04:22:45 PM
Malen made a few decent cameos last season. He looked direct and determined. It’s the system that is shit
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Sexual Ealing on September 21, 2025, 04:22:46 PM
Sancho and Maatsen looked lively, let's start with that in the next 2. Elliot didn't make a difference, he just slotted into the averageness of everything else.

Malen is rubbish. Rogers can have a sulk on the bench for the next few. I'd drop Watkins too, but we have fuck all else.

Malen is apparently on Gbp175k a week. I'll leave that out there.

Certainly no reason to have a permanent face like a slapped arse.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: LukeJames on September 21, 2025, 04:23:04 PM
Its all been a bit shit since that Newcastle last season.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Villa Lew on September 21, 2025, 04:23:24 PM
If we hadn't gone defensive after going ahead and shown the same urgency we did in the last 10 mins or so, a lot earlier, we would probably have won it. A word for Maasten, it's good to see a player going to the bye line and putting crosses in.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Skipper_The_Eyechild on September 21, 2025, 04:26:00 PM
Sky off our game to the Arse Citeh game in the quickest switch I have ever seen.

Good.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: MillerBall on September 21, 2025, 04:27:55 PM
In short our opponents this season have shown far more dynamism and positivity in every game than we have.
I suspect that that the rumours throughout the summer about key players (Watkins, Martinez, Rodgers) wanting to leave were true and this has sucked a lot of energy from the squad.
There are no excuses, however and the players are still being paid to represent the club until such time as they leave..
Nobody can be exempt from fair criticism and includes the Manager as well
Something is very flat and very rotten in the state of Aston at the moment.
The other thought is that the Manager has, until now worked wonders with a squad of players that perhaps have been  over achieving but now the chickens have come home to roost.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Mortimer's Bear on September 21, 2025, 04:28:22 PM
Rogers showed Dwight Yorke against Everton levels of effort today, pathetic.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Steve67 on September 21, 2025, 04:29:57 PM
The fact that we started with 9 out of 11 players who have been with us since before Emery got here is poor. Crap recruitment.   55 minutes against 10 men and never really looking like we were going to score/win, was poor.  Leaving Sancho on the bench until the last 10 minutes when I could see that Sunderland had adjusted to three sitting in the front of their defence, so get it wide and back in quickly, was overlooked by Emery and very poor.  Watkins, Rogers poor, Malen looks like someones mate was asked along to the game to make up the numbers.  Slow moving the ball around the pitch to make use of the extra man.  A times, it looked liked Sunderland, who are not a good side, had the extra man.  Crap defending for their goal, again.   Altogether, utter tosh.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: wolfman999 on September 21, 2025, 04:30:22 PM
Rogers showed Dwight Yorke against Everton levels of effort today, pathetic.

Where's John Gregory with his gun when you need him.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: aev on September 21, 2025, 04:30:50 PM
Maatsen Sancho link up looked “promising”.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Ads on September 21, 2025, 04:31:33 PM
Really poor as Im sure has been said. I felt pissed off from 10 minutes in and save 5 minutes my irritation didnt subside. Felt that was the general mood of most.

We are a bunch of cowards. Absolutely terrified to take a player on or put a cross in. The running is so limited. Take a out blocking passing lanes all you want, the cause of this is not external. We are terrified in the final third. Slow and predicatable.

Sancho coming on with 10 to go. Why? He draws men to him, he creates an option for Maatsen.

We get the selection wrong and have done all season

Soft fucking goal. Mings too slow to step up.

Awful.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: tom jennings III on September 21, 2025, 04:33:05 PM
Slightly better performance than against Everton albeit out-fought and out-played by 10 man Sunderland. Scored a goal but only thanks to their keeper. Very very flat. Sancho and Elliot looked mostly decent. Cash our best player probably. Kamara also pretty good and Guessand tried hard. Watkins, Rogers and Digne were particularly bad. 3.5/10
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: N'ZMAV on September 21, 2025, 04:34:22 PM
Sancho was the only one with any idea - that's how low the bar is set now.

Watkins is goosed.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Steve67 on September 21, 2025, 04:34:56 PM
If we hadn't gone defensive after going ahead and shown the same urgency we did in the last 10 mins or so, a lot earlier, we would probably have won it. A word for Maasten, it's good to see a player going to the bye line and putting crosses in.

And yet, not a single player reacted to it or attacked the front post.  Wasn't the greatest ball in to be fair but sometimes you have to work harder to make a poor ball a decent one.  Lazy box work from Villa today.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: wolfman999 on September 21, 2025, 04:35:33 PM
Sancho was the only one with any idea - that's how low the bar is set now.

Watkins is goosed.

I blame his missus. This has only happened since he got married!
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: tomd2103 on September 21, 2025, 04:37:02 PM
In short our opponents this season have shown far more dynamism and positivity in every game than we have.
I suspect that that the rumours throughout the summer about key players (Watkins, Martinez, Rodgers) wanting to leave were true and this has sucked a lot of energy from the squad.
There are no excuses, however and the players are still being paid to represent the club until such time as they leave..
Nobody can be exempt from fair criticism and includes the Manager as well
Something is very flat and very rotten in the state of Aston at the moment.
The other thought is that the Manager has, until now worked wonders with a squad of players that perhaps have been  over achieving but now the chickens have come home to roost.

Yep, at the moment we are looking like a team with a number of players who don't want to be there, a number who shouldn't really still be there and a few last minute hopeful deadline day punts .  Not really a great mix.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Nev on September 21, 2025, 04:38:15 PM
Regardless of how bad he was on Tuesday, I was disappointed to see Guessand go off, thought he was much better.

As for the goal, I absolutely lost my shit, they stood like statues as an unchallenged header was looped into the box. Dreadful stuff.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Hampshire Villa on September 21, 2025, 04:38:41 PM
Poor. Very frustrating. We get to 25 yards and just have no idea whatsoever.
Too many players not performing and believing their own press
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Goldie.7 on September 21, 2025, 04:39:15 PM
We buy new players, we sell them....we keep the old lot and many are done.

As soon as they sold Diaby after one season I knew we were going nowhere. Clueless!
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: JUAN PABLO on September 21, 2025, 04:41:43 PM
and how easy man city show how to score.



least we are unbeaten for 2 games and cash leading goalscorer, any one bet on him before the season.

I got my goal for my birthday too.


l
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: AlexAlexCropley on September 21, 2025, 04:41:55 PM
We buy new players, we sell them....we keep the old lot and many are done.

As soon as they sold Diaby after one season I knew we were going nowhere. Clueless!
Why didn't you say
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Ads on September 21, 2025, 04:42:44 PM
We buy new players, we sell them....we keep the old lot and many are done.

As soon as they sold Diaby after one season I knew we were going nowhere. Clueless!

Yeah you were saying exactly that as we went on the run last season to get within a point of qualifying for the CL a second tine. What a load of shite.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Small Rodent on September 21, 2025, 04:45:28 PM
Should that have been a corner after Malen’s muscled out effort?
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: paul_e on September 21, 2025, 04:45:54 PM
Poor. Very frustrating. We get to 25 yards and just have no idea whatsoever.
Too many players not performing and believing their own press

Our problems start a lot earlier than that. The reason we look poor around the box is because we have no space to play in and we have  no space to play in because our movement is awful and as a result everything is played in front of teams and at low pace. How many times did any of our players get on the ball in the final 3rd with time to take a touch and pick a pass? That's what we need to fix.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Crown Hill on September 21, 2025, 04:46:36 PM
Maatsen Sancho link up looked “promising”.

Except because Sancho is right footed and plays in the left every time he got past a defender he then had to double back to get on his right foot.

By no means the most frustrating thing today but one of them.

It’s always apparent when Villa are off form or low in confidence because McGinn becomes the busiest player.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Clampy on September 21, 2025, 04:51:52 PM
The only positives I can dig out are the excellent goal and not losing. It was dire apart from that.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: selly park trinity on September 21, 2025, 04:54:45 PM
John Townley from Bluesky

Unai Emery: "With some new players we have to adapt with the players we have, and we know we want to control the game, to dominate but I am disappointed and frustrated more for how we were not achieving our identity."

"Frustrated and disappointed a little bit, but not with the result. It should have been easier to take advantage [vs 10] but we were not playing with our identity, with the ideas we have been building in the last three years."

"There is still work to do with the point we achieved, it’s not enough, of course, after playing with one more player for 60 minutes, we should be happier, we have to work and be demanding, to get our consistency through our demands."

 "We were lazy sometimes. Lazy. The goal we conceded, we were lazy. Perhaps that’s because we didn’t play in our style."

"Watkins is not having chances to score. He had the last chance in the last minute. If he scores, maybe that’s the click to change everything."
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 04:56:12 PM
Hopeless again - sort it the fuck out Unai.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: jwarry on September 21, 2025, 05:05:14 PM
It's relegation form. I'm sorry but that's a fact.

It’s not though is it?  We are not getting hammered (Palace was Palace).  We just can’t score. 
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 05:06:26 PM
If you don’t score you’re getting relegated.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: wolfman999 on September 21, 2025, 05:07:32 PM
It's relegation form. I'm sorry but that's a fact.

It’s not though is it?  We are not getting hammered (Palace was Palace).  We just can’t score. 

But who have we really played of consequence? With respect to the teams we have met, we have yet to meet any of the expected 'big hitters' and when we do, play like this and it will be a bloodbath.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: LeeS on September 21, 2025, 05:07:41 PM
If you don’t score you’re getting relegated.

And we haven’t played anyone good yet
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on September 21, 2025, 05:07:56 PM
This team reminds me of the last days of BFR.  He was too loyal to players passed their peak. 
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 05:11:49 PM
If you don’t score you’re getting relegated.

And we haven’t played anyone good yet

Indeed, we are not actually defensively solid. We’re shipping far too many shots for that.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: rob_bridge on September 21, 2025, 05:14:04 PM
This team reminds me of the last days of BFR.  He was too loyal to players passed their peak.

Yeah or like Little - system same, personnel odd tweak but dressing room not right
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Cropley10 on September 21, 2025, 05:14:58 PM
The only positive is, without their sending off, we lose this, so at least we got a point
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Crown Hill on September 21, 2025, 05:16:54 PM
This team reminds me of the last days of BFR.  He was too loyal to players passed their peak.

Yeah or like Little - system same, personnel odd tweak but dressing room not right

BFR was after a similar lacklustre series of transfer dealings. In his case because he was to bothered doing TV work during the World Cup!
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 05:19:33 PM
It’s also not great that our goal, as good of a strike as it was, was a hit and hope. We’re producing barely anything.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: brontebilly on September 21, 2025, 05:20:26 PM
This team reminds me of the last days of BFR.  He was too loyal to players passed their peak.

Or the season after MON left where we muddled along under Houllier and McAllister. Disrupted pre season got far too much air time back then too.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: cdbearsfan on September 21, 2025, 05:20:38 PM
We created three good chances, which is probably more than the rest of the season combined.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on September 21, 2025, 05:22:08 PM
This team reminds me of the last days of BFR.  He was too loyal to players passed their peak.

There’s some of that, partly through lack of options but just general loyalty as well, players are clearly out of form and not delivering but are still picked, most notably Rogers.

I was disappointed not to see Elliot and Maatsen start although he definitely sees that latter as a finisher and away from home I can see UE’s thinking on that.

Next game I’d like to see Sancho/McGinn/Elliot behind Watkins, it’d mean Bogarde in Midfield.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: aj2k77 on September 21, 2025, 05:23:07 PM
We need to fully integrate Sancho and Elliot now. Get Tielemans and Onana fit. Buendia in the team highlights how bad our business has been. He's a trier, unfortunately he's shit.

Time for Rogers to take a seat on the bench.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 05:24:44 PM
We created three good chances, which is probably more than the rest of the season combined.

That’s not really enough against a promoted side with 10 men for the majority of the game.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: aj2k77 on September 21, 2025, 05:26:49 PM
XG was 0.7 and less than Sunderland's.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: brontebilly on September 21, 2025, 05:29:39 PM
Their goal was real ragball rovers stuff from us. Watkins so lazy to start with, let their guy have a free header on the first ball. Konsa lost again with the ball in the air.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Steve67 on September 21, 2025, 05:32:06 PM
Buendia was absolutely wank.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on September 21, 2025, 05:32:21 PM
Watched the second half while unsuccessfully trying to put a bush I’ve chopped down through a garden shredder. The shredder was useless, as were Villa.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Rigadon on September 21, 2025, 05:32:29 PM
That’s a really bad thing to call out (laziness).  He is clearly really, really pissed off. I don’t want to see Rogers again for a while.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on September 21, 2025, 05:35:13 PM
We need to fully integrate Sancho and Elliot now. Get Tielemans and Onana fit. Buendia in the team highlights how bad our business has been. He's a trier, unfortunately he's shit.

Time for Rogers to take a seat on the bench.

Indeed. Other teams buy players and they are put straight in, ours always need ages to bed in and learn the system. Well the systems pretty crap at the moment so play them.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 05:35:28 PM
Buendia was absolutely wank.

It’s because he’s not good enough - the fact he’s starting is a really bad reflection of where the club is.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Olneythelonely on September 21, 2025, 05:39:40 PM
I’m holding on to the hope that we’ll be better against the better teams.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: eamonn on September 21, 2025, 05:41:10 PM
We buy new players, we sell them....we keep the old lot and many are done.

As soon as they sold Diaby after one season I knew we were going nowhere. Clueless!

He wanted to go, he's a muslim who wanted more money near Mecca.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Hookeysmith on September 21, 2025, 05:41:34 PM
The old guard Mings and McGinn slow us down. One , two t, three touches most times before passing and allows team to regain thier shape.
Once down to 10 it was crying out for Torres to thread balls through to midfield.
Buendia ,Rogers were shit from first minute.

Watkins although no service left Xaka for the goal and how he missed the header.
Malen cannot complain about chances, on the one he got through I thought his pace would put him clear but he looked like running  in treacle.
Cash, great goal aside is so poor its easy for teams to target his side of the pitch

If we start against Bologna with the line up then I fear Uni will start getting the boos. Football is cruel and what went before only gives you so much grace.

If he is upset with kept player, drop them
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 05:42:26 PM
The only way that happens is if something changes. There’s nothing in our approach that suggests it gets better against stronger opposition.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Steve67 on September 21, 2025, 05:42:54 PM
Buendia was absolutely wank.

It’s because he’s not good enough - the fact he’s starting is a really bad reflection of where the club is.

I couldn’t agree more. I actually swore when I saw the side.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Nunkin1965 on September 21, 2025, 05:45:45 PM
I think he gets left out now.
His attitude looks bad and if he did just disappear down the tunnel after being subbed then he's going to be left out for Thursday at the least.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: tomd2103 on September 21, 2025, 05:46:35 PM
Buendia was absolutely wank.

It’s because he’s not good enough - the fact he’s starting is a really bad reflection of where the club is.

I like Emi, but it was pretty clear that he wasn't good enough 3 years ago.  The fact that he's back in our starting line-up speaks volumes really.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: john e on September 21, 2025, 05:51:29 PM
Buendia was absolutely wank.

It’s because he’s not good enough - the fact he’s starting is a really bad reflection of where the club is.

He’s not good enough but he tries always puts in the effort
Whereas Rogers is good enough but doesn’t care at the moment and puts in no effort

Which one you rather have, i’m honestly not saying that in a snarky way when things aren’t going well I’d rather have players who are busting for the cause rather than ones that can’t be arsed
and I know Buendia was wasteful and a bit rubbish today, but Rogers more so at least Buendia has got an excuse
He just ain’t good enough
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 05:56:20 PM
I personally think that people are applying a narrative to Rogers and thinking something, rather than looking at the most likely event - which is his form has dipped, and the whole team is struggling, and therefore it’s hard to get out of that slump.

I’d rather not start a player we know isn’t good enough.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: john e on September 21, 2025, 06:03:51 PM
I personally think that people are applying a narrative to Rogers and thinking something, rather than looking at the most likely event - which is his form has dipped, and the whole team is struggling, and therefore it’s hard to get out of that slump.

I’d rather not start a player we know isn’t good enough.

It’s more than form, looks like he doesn’t want to be here
I’ve been saying it for a while. There’s something wrong behind the scenes and it’s more than just a drop in form for many of our players

Obviously I can’t prove anything or know for sure but that would be my guess
In a way I hope you’re right and it’s just as simple as a drop in form across the board, but I honestly think it’s more than that

Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: aj2k77 on September 21, 2025, 06:05:15 PM
Rogers did have a good game against Serbia but what level are Serbia realistically at? Upper Championship?
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 06:11:47 PM
I suppose the other way I’d look at it is if Buendia is starting lots of games we’re in big trouble.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Nunkin1965 on September 21, 2025, 06:14:27 PM
I personally think that people are applying a narrative to Rogers and thinking something, rather than looking at the most likely event - which is his form has dipped, and the whole team is struggling, and therefore it’s hard to get out of that slump.

I’d rather not start a player we know isn’t good enough.

It’s more than form, looks like he doesn’t want to be here
I’ve been saying it for a while. There’s something wrong behind the scenes and it’s more than just a drop in form for many of our players

Obviously I can’t prove anything or know for sure but that would be my guess
In a way I hope you’re right and it’s just as simple as a drop in form across the board, but I honestly think it’s more than that
Hours of video analysis are fine when youre winning. Not so when youre losing!
I looks like some players have switched off from the manager.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: RamboandBruno on September 21, 2025, 06:15:12 PM
Still travelling home from this one. I was pretty gutted when i saw the starting 11, seemed set up to contain, which for me highlights a lack of confidence from Unai.
Pau, Maatson, Sancho, Elliot should of started tte game instead of Mings, Digne, Beundia, Guessand, although the later worked hard.
Mings alseep for their goal, playing the lad onside.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: kipeye on September 21, 2025, 06:17:27 PM
I expected us to lose until the sending off, and I think we would have.
Exactly my thoughts.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Chris Smith on September 21, 2025, 06:19:29 PM
We were so passive, the players were waiting for things to happen rather than realising it was up to them to do it. Unai needs to hammer that into them in training but we need some leadership on the pitch too.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: brontebilly on September 21, 2025, 06:28:21 PM
Super cross in by Sancho at the end.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: wolfman999 on September 21, 2025, 06:37:19 PM
I personally think that people are applying a narrative to Rogers and thinking something, rather than looking at the most likely event - which is his form has dipped, and the whole team is struggling, and therefore it’s hard to get out of that slump.

I’d rather not start a player we know isn’t good enough.

It’s more than form, looks like he doesn’t want to be here
I’ve been saying it for a while. There’s something wrong behind the scenes and it’s more than just a drop in form for many of our players

Obviously I can’t prove anything or know for sure but that would be my guess
In a way I hope you’re right and it’s just as simple as a drop in form across the board, but I honestly think it’s more than that



Didn't Mings, when questioned about things behind the scenes, smile and say 'You don't know the half of it'. What that means who knows but my biggest fear is that the owners, because they are ambitious but see that ambition being thwarted for the foreseeable future, decide to take their cash where it is appreciated.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 06:39:21 PM
Still travelling home from this one. I was pretty gutted when i saw the starting 11, seemed set up to contain, which for me highlights a lack of confidence from Unai.
Paul, Maatson, Sancho, Elliot should of started tte game instead of Mings, Digne, Beundia, Guessand, although the later worked hard.
Mings alseep for their foal, playing the lad onside.


It’s exactly that - whatever else is going on we are setting up suggesting we are worried about what the opposition will do rather than trying to impose what we do (if we could actually remember). We won’t get out of this until we start showing more courage and being more bold.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 21, 2025, 06:46:34 PM
Mings alseep for their foal, playing the lad onside.


Playing like donkeys.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on September 21, 2025, 06:48:48 PM
Mings alseep for their foal, playing the lad onside.


Playing like donkeys.

It was absolute pony.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: rob_bridge on September 21, 2025, 06:50:04 PM
Mings alseep for their foal, playing the lad onside.


Playing like donkeys.

It was absolute pony.
No real Derby this year. Just as well
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: andyh on September 21, 2025, 06:54:20 PM
We need to fully integrate Sancho and Elliot now. Get Tielemans and Onana fit. Buendia in the team highlights how bad our business has been. He's a trier, unfortunately he's shit.

Time for Rogers to take a seat on the bench.
We will need to invest in some sort of terminator type suit to enable Onana to play regularly.

I hear the glass blower has his new legs ready for fitting next week.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Clampy on September 21, 2025, 06:55:02 PM
I hope this poor run doesn't go on furlong.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on September 21, 2025, 07:02:16 PM
There are many hurdles Unai has to overcome this season.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 21, 2025, 07:17:21 PM
There are many hurdles Unai has to overcome this season.

I'll bridle no criticism of the manager.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on September 21, 2025, 07:25:53 PM
There are many hurdles Unai has to overcome this season.

I'll bridle no criticism of the manager.

At this rate UE will be shouting “a horse, a horse! My kingdom for a Horse!”
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on September 21, 2025, 07:30:33 PM
And the worst think is he gets home to his wife who is just nag nag nag.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: brontebilly on September 21, 2025, 07:53:12 PM
We need to fully integrate Sancho and Elliot now. Get Tielemans and Onana fit. Buendia in the team highlights how bad our business has been. He's a trier, unfortunately he's shit.

Time for Rogers to take a seat on the bench.
We will need to invest in some sort of terminator type suit to enable Onana to play regularly.

I hear the glass blower has his new legs ready for fitting next week.

If you are looking for a leader, it's not him. Technical ability, not him. Gets nowhere near the team if Kamara and Tielemans are fit anyway.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: LeonW on September 21, 2025, 08:14:58 PM
Sancho looked bright. That’s it. It was the same tripe that has been served up for ages. Rodgers and Watkins, pathetic. The latter disgraceful work off the ball and his finishing was embarrassing. We have no alternative which is on the club.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Demitri_C on September 21, 2025, 08:15:31 PM
Im fucking livid with that shit. 10 men and we get outplayed by sunderland. Some of the performances  watkins and rogers in particular.  Complete and utterly pathetic.

I said it in summer this is going to be a tough  amd shig season and it certainly  appeals that way.

This clubs in turmoil we need to turn this around quickly
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Pete3206 on September 21, 2025, 08:16:07 PM
Nah disagree. We'll be a lot better off with Onana available
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 08:17:02 PM
Nah disagree. We'll be a lot better off with Onana available

He’ll definitely help. We need some drive from midfield.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: AlexAlexCropley on September 21, 2025, 08:25:01 PM
Im fucking livid with that shit. 10 men and we get outplayed by sunderland. Some of the performances  watkins and rogers in particular.  Complete and utterly pathetic.

I said it in summer this is going to be a tough  amd shig season and it certainly  appeals that way.

This clubs in turmoil we need to turn this around quickly
Shig the bed
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Clampy on September 21, 2025, 08:27:31 PM
Im fucking livid with that shit. 10 men and we get outplayed by sunderland. Some of the performances  watkins and rogers in particular.  Complete and utterly pathetic.

I said it in summer this is going to be a tough  amd shig season and it certainly  appeals that way.

This clubs in turmoil we need to turn this around quickly
Shig the bed

It does appeal that way.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: BoVillan esq on September 21, 2025, 08:36:34 PM
We need Tielemans and Onana back asap, need to give depth and balance to the midfield, distribution to the wide players, otherwise redundant, Rogers? what can you say, wtf is wrong with that bloke, he really has thrown a major strop, if this is about him not wanting to play for Villa and wants away then stick him in the reserves, otherwise he needs to realise the only way he's getting away from Villa is to put in some amazing winning moves for the team, come January bye bye.

It seems pointless pointing the finger at Emery, everything he's doing now would normally scream the sack including his post match speech, I do think he will be under massive pressure over the next 2 games, Europe and the next Premiership game will determine what's next.

10 man Sunderland! who would have thought it.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Ads on September 21, 2025, 08:38:16 PM
Super cross in by Sancho at the end.

It was. He draws players too him and frees up Maatsen.

I don't give a fuck if he doesn't know exactly how we play yet, he needs to start. Clear from Emery's comments that none of the twats play to his instruction anyway.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: N'ZMAV on September 21, 2025, 08:40:39 PM
we're just fucking boring. Feel sorry for the travelling lot today
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Brazilian Villain on September 21, 2025, 08:48:26 PM
Im fucking livid with that shit. 10 men and we get outplayed by sunderland. Some of the performances  watkins and rogers in particular.  Complete and utterly pathetic.

I said it in summer this is going to be a tough  amd shig season and it certainly  appeals that way.

This clubs in turmoil we need to turn this around quickly

You're so sexy when you're angry.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Ads on September 21, 2025, 08:49:03 PM
It was boring. Happily though there was a 1 hour delay on the A1(M) so I went along the road toward Brough and J38 of the M6, which is a bit of a stunner with some last day of summer sun setting behind the hills. Podcast about Escobar, almost forgetting how tedious the previous hour or two had been.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Demitri_C on September 21, 2025, 08:50:46 PM
Im fucking livid with that shit. 10 men and we get outplayed by sunderland. Some of the performances  watkins and rogers in particular.  Complete and utterly pathetic.

I said it in summer this is going to be a tough  amd shig season and it certainly  appeals that way.

This clubs in turmoil we need to turn this around quickly
Shig the bed

'Shig the bed' ?

Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Demitri_C on September 21, 2025, 08:51:35 PM
Im fucking livid with that shit. 10 men and we get outplayed by sunderland. Some of the performances  watkins and rogers in particular.  Complete and utterly pathetic.

I said it in summer this is going to be a tough  amd shig season and it certainly  appeals that way.

This clubs in turmoil we need to turn this around quickly

You're so sexy when you're angry.
.thank you sweet heart what time we going for that drink later?
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Sexual Ealing on September 21, 2025, 08:56:22 PM
Im fucking livid with that shit. 10 men and we get outplayed by sunderland. Some of the performances  watkins and rogers in particular.  Complete and utterly pathetic.

I said it in summer this is going to be a tough  amd shig season and it certainly  appeals that way.

This clubs in turmoil we need to turn this around quickly
Shig the bed

'Shig the bed' ?



The shark rose and jumped itself.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Pat McMahon on September 21, 2025, 08:57:05 PM
Buendia was absolutely wank.

It’s because he’s not good enough - the fact he’s starting is a really bad reflection of where the club is.

I like Emi, but it was pretty clear that he wasn't good enough 3 years ago.  The fact that he's back in our starting line-up speaks volumes really.

Before the game I was trying to recall the last league game we won where Buendia started. I still can’t recall.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PeterWithesShin on September 21, 2025, 09:08:24 PM
Spurs at home. 13th May 2023, it was 1-1 when he went off.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Skipper_The_Eyechild on September 21, 2025, 09:09:02 PM
I predicted we'd lose so bonus points! I actually didn't want them to go down to 10, we can't break down compact teams as it is.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: JUAN PABLO on September 21, 2025, 09:10:14 PM
Super cross in by Sancho at the end.

best cross of our season
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Pat McMahon on September 21, 2025, 09:10:47 PM
Re Rogers, I did hear that he was livid last season at being pushed out wide to accommodate Asensio and it seems to have impacted him - maybe he no longer feels he has Emery’s complete trust. Newcastle aside, I don’t think he ended the season well and has barely showed glimpses of his potential so far.

I also wonder if Watkins was miffed at missing some of our big games last season and feels similarly unloved. On the other hand, I think he plays better when he feels he is the undisputed fist choice up front.

I’m not justifying the form of either of them, just trying to understand what the hell is happening to two of our better players.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Pat McMahon on September 21, 2025, 09:15:24 PM
Spurs at home. 13th May 2023, it was 1-1 when he went off.

Weren’t we winning that 2-0 until Kane got a contrived penalty in injury time? If it’s the one I’m thinking of in the run up to the Conference qualification. A fortnight before the Brighton 2-1 win?

You’re still right though if he started that game and we won. Seems like an eternity ago.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 09:17:26 PM
Well I do keep coming back to the fact they stand out because they are high profile. But pretty much everyone is playing badly. It’s not just Ollie and Rogers, we’ve been bad across the pitch.

Unai keeps playing the same way, that needs to change. I think he’s playing it safe and part of the reason our identity isn’t there is because we’re not being bold enough.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PeterWithesShin on September 21, 2025, 09:18:56 PM
Sorry yes, it was 1-0 when Buendia went off.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Pat McMahon on September 21, 2025, 09:20:41 PM
Sorry yes, it was 1-0 when Buendia went off.

Cheers. I genuinely had zero idea. I’d written him off after the loan last season on the back of a bad injury.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 09:27:11 PM
Sorry yes, it was 1-0 when Buendia went off.

Cheers. I genuinely had zero idea. I’d written him off after the loan last season on the back of a bad injury.

I suspect Unai had too - which is why him starting suggests muddled thinking to me.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Somniloquism on September 21, 2025, 09:30:24 PM
Just been watching the highlights in BBC. Malens chance with the defender was called "shoulder-to-shoulder" apparently even though the defender was behind him and slamming his shoulder into the back to put him off balance.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: enigma on September 21, 2025, 09:40:28 PM
It was boring. Happily though there was a 1 hour delay on the A1(M) so I went along the road toward Brough and J38 of the M6, which is a bit of a stunner with some last day of summer sun setting behind the hills. Podcast about Escobar, almost forgetting how tedious the previous hour or two had been.
The Rest is Classified by any chance?
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on September 21, 2025, 09:40:45 PM
It was boring. Happily though there was a 1 hour delay on the A1(M) so I went along the road toward Brough and J38 of the M6, which is a bit of a stunner with some last day of summer sun setting behind the hills. Podcast about Escobar, almost forgetting how tedious the previous hour or two had been.

What’s the podcast called, is it any good as I might give it a listen?
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: LeonW on September 21, 2025, 09:47:49 PM
Re Rogers, I did hear that he was livid last season at being pushed out wide to accommodate Asensio and it seems to have impacted him - maybe he no longer feels he has Emery’s complete trust. Newcastle aside, I don’t think he ended the season well and has barely showed glimpses of his potential so far.

I also wonder if Watkins was miffed at missing some of our big games last season and feels similarly unloved. On the other hand, I think he plays better when he feels he is the undisputed fist choice up front.

I’m not justifying the form of either of them, just trying to understand what the hell is happening to two of our better players.

To become an elite side, players have to play well to keep their places. Last season Watkins was shocking in the champions league at the highest level and was rightly replaced by Rashford. Same with Rodgers with Asensio. Rodgers delivered in the champions league but was so wasteful in possession.

If they are now sulking at being starters again because don’t have the money to afford a Rashford and Asensio to push them, that suggests that they are not at the elite level as that should have been the rocket they needed to cement their status again. But what we’ve seen is lazy, sulky and poor quality performances. I would rather keep the manager and get rid of the players next summer/ January because we’re not solving the real problem by keeping a number of these players.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 09:54:21 PM
Again, I think we might be looking at performance and tying up a narrative that fits. Who knows you might be right, but it’s not just Rogers and Watkins it’s virtually everyone playing badly. Has Digne gone because he’s got a new deal, has Maatsen turned it in because he’s not immediate first choice, is SJM sulking from not being centre mid etc etc.

So many players are playing badly - it’s not just a couple of them. That might be on them, but it’s on management too. As a collective they are all not doing enough.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Ads on September 21, 2025, 10:03:23 PM
It was boring. Happily though there was a 1 hour delay on the A1(M) so I went along the road toward Brough and J38 of the M6, which is a bit of a stunner with some last day of summer sun setting behind the hills. Podcast about Escobar, almost forgetting how tedious the previous hour or two had been.

What’s the podcast called, is it any good as I might give it a listen?

Rest is Classified. Ex-CIA analyst and a journalist.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: LeonW on September 21, 2025, 10:04:53 PM
Again, I think we might be looking at performance and tying up a narrative that fits. Who knows you might be right, but it’s not just Rogers and Watkins it’s virtually everyone playing badly. Has Digne gone because he’s got a new deal, has Maatsen turned it in because he’s not immediate first choice, is SJM sulking from not being centre mid etc etc.

So many players are playing badly - it’s not just a couple of them. That might be on them, but it’s on management too. As a collective they are all not doing enough.

The failure right now is in the final third for me and it’s our key offensive players that are letting us down. Palace aside, we’ve been better defensively.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 10:09:14 PM
We’re not really though - we’re consistently shipping plenty of shots. A promoted team with 10 men broke us down today, Everton should have scored last week. We’re not actually playing well defensively, we’re just playing mediocre teams with limited attacking strength.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on September 21, 2025, 10:10:25 PM
It was boring. Happily though there was a 1 hour delay on the A1(M) so I went along the road toward Brough and J38 of the M6, which is a bit of a stunner with some last day of summer sun setting behind the hills. Podcast about Escobar, almost forgetting how tedious the previous hour or two had been.

What’s the podcast called, is it any good as I might give it a listen?

Rest is Classified. Ex-CIA analyst and a journalist.

Thanks. Just downloaded them and will start it tomorrow. Will make a change from the football and history ones!
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: LeonW on September 21, 2025, 10:14:08 PM
We’re not really though - we’re consistently shipping plenty of shots. A promoted team with 10 men broke us down today, Everton should have scored last week. We’re not actually playing well defensively, we’re just playing mediocre teams with limited attacking strength.
I think we’re trying to find a balance but to me, it’s clear that the greater problem is the final third. If we create and score more, it takes the pressure off the defensive and opens the game up which suits us. Without checking the stats and going off the eye test, we may be facing the same number of big chances as last season, so that could be par. But we are certainly not in any way, shape or form creating the chances we did last season offensively. That’s where the drop off is.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: PaulWinch again on September 21, 2025, 10:16:08 PM
Yeah and if that’s the case the balance is way off. If that’s genuinely what we’re trying to do we need to start again, because we’ve undermined the strength that’s got us to where we have been.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Sexual Ealing on September 21, 2025, 10:54:13 PM
It was boring. Happily though there was a 1 hour delay on the A1(M) so I went along the road toward Brough and J38 of the M6, which is a bit of a stunner with some last day of summer sun setting behind the hills. Podcast about Escobar, almost forgetting how tedious the previous hour or two had been.

What’s the podcast called, is it any good as I might give it a listen?

Rest is Classified. Ex-CIA analyst and a journalist.

It's all lies.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: selly park trinity on September 21, 2025, 10:58:27 PM
Has there been any tweets or other such nonsense from the players?
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: cdbearsfan on September 21, 2025, 11:11:10 PM
Tweets are very 2015. It's all Instagram these days.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: CT Villan on September 21, 2025, 11:14:51 PM
Hindsight is obviously 20/20, but as soon as the Mackems go down to ten I would have brought on Maatsan and Pau (for Digne and Mings). I would also have replaced Rogers and Buendia at HT with Elliot and Sancho. I would have liked to replace Watkins too, but the striker cupboard is bare.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: tomd2103 on September 22, 2025, 12:03:19 AM
We’re not really though - we’re consistently shipping plenty of shots. A promoted team with 10 men broke us down today, Everton should have scored last week. We’re not actually playing well defensively, we’re just playing mediocre teams with limited attacking strength.
I think we’re trying to find a balance but to me, it’s clear that the greater problem is the final third. If we create and score more, it takes the pressure off the defensive and opens the game up which suits us. Without checking the stats and going off the eye test, we may be facing the same number of big chances as last season, so that could be par. But we are certainly not in any way, shape or form creating the chances we did last season offensively. That’s where the drop off is.

I accept that we have got 3 central midfielders out injured, but John McGinn in central midfield has always been a bit of a problem as well.  He's undoubtedly had good games in that position, but he gets steadily worse the longer the spell is he plays there.  We need Tielemans or Onana back sharpish (not banking too much on Barkley making a big impact to be honest) so McGinn can.play further forward. 
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: ROBBO on September 22, 2025, 12:44:17 AM
One thing stood out for me were corner kicks, all Sunderlands were delivered perfectly and caused panic, ours were balloons to the far post repeated every time. I get pissed of when i see players who get paid millions every year to kick a football around feeling sorry for themselves. Emery has to make examples of players who don't give 100 percent. In hindsight we would have been better off if we had sold Watkins and Rogers early for 130 million and refreshed the team.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: AV82EC on September 22, 2025, 01:14:36 AM
Not enough control of possession. Buendia is utter shite and needs to be replaced asap.  Impressed with the Sancho cameo which was more impressive than Rogers blundering about the pitch. Something to work with with Guessand and Elliott. I’d have bought Torres and Maartsen on earlier.

We go again…..
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Villafirst on September 22, 2025, 06:56:08 AM
Yes, Buendia looked a bit lightweight and was too often easily dispossessed. We look short of ideas without Tielemans and desperately need him back asap. The worry is that teams have sussed Villa's style and adopted a low block which we struggle to breakdown. I can only see us finishing mid-table at best.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Nev on September 22, 2025, 07:20:46 AM
As I said after the first game, Buendia wasn't the answer 2 years ago and that hasn't changed.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: The Edge on September 22, 2025, 08:50:46 AM
Sancho and Maatsen looked lively, let's start with that in the next 2. Elliot didn't make a difference, he just slotted into the averageness of everything else.

Malen is rubbish. Rogers can have a sulk on the bench for the next few. I'd drop Watkins too, but we have fuck all else.

Malen is apparently on Gbp175k a week. I'll leave that out there.

Certainly no reason to have a permanent face like a slapped arse.
He's been a terrible signing. 175k a week and didn't make the cut for last seasons CL squad tells it's own story. Unai clearly doesn't rate him but he's so short of options he's forced into throwing him on as a desperate roll of the dice. I'm keeping faith with Emery and I believe he's capable of great things but he's getting the rug pulled from beneath his feet with the amateurish way they are doing things to the squad. They have got rid of the likes of Luiz, Duran, Bailey, Diaby, Ramsey, Rashford and Asensio and given him Guessand , Malen and two loan signings. He must be fuming. No wonder we look so poor. If anything i think Unai might walk before he's pushed.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: olaftab on September 22, 2025, 09:09:43 AM
Main culprits for us not winning so far this season are Watkins and Rogers….have turned in to lazy slops. Yesterday both were puss poor.
Other than that it was couple of pleasant days in Sunderland with my mackem mate. The city is improving a lot since being devastated by “her”.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: Clampy on September 22, 2025, 09:12:55 AM
Main culprits for us not winning so far this season are Watkins and Rogers….have turned in to lazy slops. Yesterday both were puss poor.
Other than that it was couple of pleasant days in Sunderland with my mackem mate. The city is improving a lot since being devastated by “her”.

That post will set the cat amongst the pigeons.
Title: Re: 10-Man Sunderland vs 0-Win Aston Villa Post-Catastrophe Flagellation
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on September 22, 2025, 09:19:51 AM
Main culprits for us not winning so far this season are Watkins and Rogers….have turned in to lazy slops. Yesterday both were puss poor.
Other than that it was couple of pleasant days in Sunderland with my mackem mate. The city is improving a lot since being devastated by “her”.

That post will set the cat amongst the pigeons.

Both no longer look like they’ve got the cream.
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