Match Thread City at Oldham Athletic - Friendly

Exactly this! I find it odd that people think cooks injury changed our play and got us promoted without realising it was the returning midfielders that changed the play.
Had cook been fit all season we'd have gone up as champions with him been top scorer in the league.

 

The post you're replying to has nothing to do with that conversation. I can only base my judgement on what I saw in terms of how we played. Mobile attackers pressing high and winning the ball and midfielders getting forward to create more goalscoring opportunities than at any time I'd seen previous. I'm happy to concede that the returning players and recruitment was alsovs contributing factor but I'm not discounting the possibility at the very least that we wouldn't have played like that with Cook in the side.

 

Yes you are right, we did win games before Cook got injured. I'd seen Cook lead the line and score goals for years before Jan 25 and the attacking performances were predominantly completely desperate. Fans often said 'we'd be completely sunk without Cook's goals'. I often wondered about what the alternative might look like. I don't expect people to agree. I'm basing my judgement on what I saw before and after Cook.

 

The post is replied to had everything to do with that conversation!

 

I think you need to check what he’s referring to in your response to my comment re Metcalfe . I think you have copied in the wrong quote . #81

 

What was the attendance today and how many City went? I ended up not going.

 

About 2850 with about 750 City fans

 

Not sure if I missed anyone commenting but that fella Neufville is gonna get bums off seats. He scared them stupid when he came on in 2nd half, direct running to the bye-line, good pull backs and crosses. Certainly the most eye catching player on the field for me. I think we’ve got a good one there.

 

A really out of the blue signing as well . I believe there were a few after him after his dons performances but not enough money behind their offers . One credibly under the rumour radar , more than happy it’s a three year deal .

 

Ive seen 3 friendlies now and despite the obvious its only glorified training etc etc what I've noticed is Byrne and Baldwin are still thick as shite and are not good enough for L1. Despite my willingness to give him a fresh start Tommy Leigh has still been terrible and I was convinced our midfield would be good enough to move up the level we have arrived at but I've not been taken with any of them except Lapslie who was top notch today.

Also Joe Wright will take all the awards at the end of the season

 

Decent shout with Joe Wright. The two in the middle will be crucial. I hope Max Power is the answer. Unfortunately the consensus about him on the Sunderland forum is underwhelming to say the least. As for Metcalfe, he's an unknown at this level but we might have a special player on our hands. We did well last season but I'm not convinced any of our league 2 midfielders will be able to step up to the demands of league 1.

 

Sunderland forum?
108 performances in three seasons for them in am attacking midfield position . Seems like their management team know a touch more than their fans opinions which are likely five years old ?

 

Point taken, though you're basing your point on 2 matches.

The black & white and perhaps uncomfortable truth is:

First half of the season with Cook = languishing mid table/bottom half
Second half of the season without cook = rocket up the league to achieve automatic promotion

As much as I love Cook, having him as a focal point of practically all our attacking play restricts our freedom and subsequently without him our creativity was unlocked and we dominated matches.

It's a really tough one given what Cook means to us all and the big goals he's scored but I feel as a team we were better without him, as genuinely hard as that is to even type as I hate to say it.

 

Kelly, Byrne, Baldwin, Wright and Kavanagh. Leigh and Pattison are potential doubts too. Not ideal to say its only pre season!!!

 

Piss poor to a man. GA isn't interested so why would the players be!

 

So why are you bothered?

 

GA not very happy with yesterdays performance he seemed really downbeat in post match interview

 

Well theres your proof - friendlies are not just about fitness. Sick of hearing that tired line.

Theres 22 players fighting for shirts and Ga has been working with them for 5 weeks to put that hard work onto the pitch and do exactly what he wants....of course he will be annoyed and frustrated if the players arent listening/performing. Friendly or not.