Saturday 15th August saw Sunderland entertain the Canaries on a sun-soaked afternoon on Wearside.
The weather was just about the only thing warming Sunderland supporters today as their side once again started slowly. Backed by a strong home crowd of 40,000 plus, supporters cheered any early signs of promise from the home side in an attempt to quickly seeing last week’s performances as only an anomaly.
These early signs came few and far between as Norwich swiftly imposed themselves on the game. The sheer level of space Robbie Brady found down the left allowed numerous dangerous deliveries to fly through Sunderland’s box. This accompanied by a host of sloppy touches and concentration from both Kaboul and Van Aanholt gave supporters a worrying sense of déjà vu.
It wasn’t long until Norwich seized the initiative when another lapse of concentration came. This time the home side was not alert to Norwich’s short corner which led to Robbie Brady the having time and space to fire a shot through a crowded penalty area. Following a strong arm from Pantilimon, Russell Martin followed up with a fortunate tap in.
This flattened the home crowd. The away side was allowed to take a stronger foothold in the game. A rare attacking move showed little promise as the front three respectively kept their distance from Norwich’s back four. Neither them nor these so called attacking full backs made runs in behind a lively Jeremain Lens as his only option was to watch his tame effort trickle wide. This distinct lack of penetration was becoming increasingly worrying with it being one of few saving graces from last week’s performance.
Things showed little sign of letting up too. A simple one-two move between Redmond and Whittaker allowed Whittaker through into the penalty area left only to shrug off a limp footed Van Aanholt before driving a right-footed strike past a helpless Costel Pantilimon. Any fight or character from last season’s revival now appeared to be left truly in the player’s holiday bags.
The signs of disapproval were clear. Supporters flocked to the concourse for a much need premature half time drink. A chorus of boo’s followed as a deflated Sunderland side headed down the tunnel for a much need ear-load from the boss.
Half time saw Sebastian Larsson replaced by Danny Graham in a change that saw Sunderland line up in a somewhat 4-2-4 formation. Some task lay ahead for Graham if he were to go the way in initiating a Sunderland revival. Thoughts that Advocaat would shout at his players enough over the half time period to prompt a change in attitude were all too fairytale as Sunderland continued to play at a lackluster pace.
The tempo of the game became very flat. This was no doubt down to the very subdued atmosphere caused by a very frustrating 45 for the home fans as their side failed to simply perform and work as a team. Despite a slight rise in offensive play from the home side, the tempo suited Norwich. Their team cohesion reaped the rewards come the 57th minute as the away side once again broke an unsettled Sunderland defence with a simple one-two move. This time Nathan Redmond went from provider to finisher, beating Costel Pantilimon at his near post.
Redmond’s strike killed off the game and any glimmer of hope the home fans may have had. With most of them now heading for the exits. A near empty Stadium of Light watched on as the flat tempo continued. So much so that Norwich settled into this tempo with both sides wanting to head back into the dressing room for very different reasons.
A late Duncan Watmore volley came as a reward for those strong enough to sit through the whole 90. The young man came on for Steven Fletcher in the second half full of enthusiasm, trickery and pace. The former of the three attributes one that was inexistent to most home supporters on the basis of the game before his arrival.
Alarm bells are now ringing everywhere you turn at Sunderland Football Club. Is throwing money at it a sensible solution? Well, Dick Advocaat is to hold a team meeting tomorrow. Sorting out the attitude of these players could be a start.
Advocaats view:
“It was a very frustrating afternoon; I did not expect that to happen, especially after the last game.”
“Everybody expected more, I know I did and I know the fans did; it was really disappointing.”
“Tomorrow we will sit down together and speak to find out what the problem is.”
“We started brightly and it’s difficult to put my finger on what the problem is at the moment, but we will work together to find a solution.”
“Duncan [Watmore] came on and he did very well during his time on the pitch.”
“You cannot say that the players aren’t fighting, it maybe looks that way but we need to work it out together.”
