Braging about the Black Cats?

Well a missed few days for us, a poor performace and result for us on Thursday and a much better one today.

Thursday we lacked any ideas and kept lumping aimless longballs at Carroll. We started brightly in the first 15-20 minutes and then lost our way again. Our midfield was full of players who want to face our own goal, so they simply squeezed the play with a high line and that nullified us. The purpose of Joe Cole on the pitch wasnt clear to me, he was the best player Braga had! He kept turning blindly into Braga player, giving away posession and then when he did have time and space he wanted for too long and too many touches. Joe Cole will always take 3 touches when 1 will suffice. By all means he wasnt the only one even Meireles struggled. He also gives ball away when asked to play a more disciplined central role.

I do think Kenny got the tactics wrong. Braga were always going to come and play on the counter and with our squad sadly lacking in pace we didnt have single player on the pitch who could stretch the game in behind. We played the ball to frequently and early to Carroll and when he did win the ball, we were very rarely first to the second ball. The only positive was that we got 90 minutes out of Carroll and he certainly does look a threat in the air however he does lack mobility. Hindsight is a great thing but surely giving one or two of the wingers in the reserves team a run might have been an idea?

Its something we will have to address in the summer cant have someone like Carroll in the team and have no wingers to deliver the ball. We also need leftback desparately. Johnson is doing a good job there but its worrying that we dont really have one. It does make you wonder why we ever sold Riise. Rumours in the press today suggest a seaky bid for Leighton Baines is in the offing, think that would be a good shout. Adds to the English quota required under the new rules and as he already plays in the PL and in Liverpool could hit the ground running. Other options would be Luis Enrique at Newcastle or perhaps Prasnic at Bayern, seeing as they wont be playing in Europe next season.

On the winger front, Ribery would be a great signing but with us not playing top table football next year, highly unlikely we can attract someone of that quality. Podolski would still be available as Stuttgard are in a relegation battle in the Bundesliga. Down the right not sure, Ashley Young seems to be Legion of Doom bound. Nzogbia would still be top of my list as he can play on either flank and is very direct. Still think someone like Eagles or Snodgrass could do a job for us as well. Maybe even Seb Larsson at Birmingham, he would add goal threat from freekicks which we dont really have even with Gerrard, when last did he score or did we score from a freekick from him???

On the Stevie G front, glad he has had Op to sort out his groin, perhaps he will be of some use to us next season. To be honest he hasnt done much in the last 18 months at 31 we have start think about using him more wisely. He clearly doesnt need to play every week when he is fit, sure we are better with him to a degree but the newer boys are doing a good job.If I am beig honest I wouldnt mind if we sold him in the summer. I know that might seem a bit premature but really how many more seasons in the centre of midfield does he have in him? And if someone will give is 20-25 million we surely couldnt say no.

Spearing was immense today and was only just shaded by Suarez for man of the match today. Good to see another Scouse Scally in the team. Today's game was strange one. We were under pressure for large periods in the 1st half but created the better chances. Clearly Suarez and Carroll need to develop as a partership there was a lot of crossed wires in the first half. The 1st goal was always going to be key and we were fortunate to get the pen. I thought the ref got it right originally, it was freekick outside the box. Even after his linesman flagged he could still have went with his original decision. Still thats 2 lots of payback for the beachball goal last season.

Anyway feed the Gurkha and he will score, Dirk is proving to be a serious goal threat this season although to be fair in the last 4 seasons he has only been outscored by Stevie G and Torres. He is the only player in double figures for goal at the moment.

Suarez's goal was a peach and was reminiscent of the goal Torres scored against Spurs a couple of seasons ago and obviously his mazy run last week against the Scum. He is going to be crucial for us in the next 3 or 4 seasons. Like the fans Depeche Mode tribute signing his name to the tune of 'Just Cant Get Enough'.

Stupid International break now.The second half of the season just never seems to get going. Play 2 or 3 games then stop. Lets see how many walking wounded we get back from that, then off to the Hawthorns to see uncle Woy. I would like West Brom to stay up but cant see it happening with Woy there. They should have beaten Arsenal out of sight yesterday. Unfortuately with the way results have gone over the weekend ManUre are stumbling and bumbling their way to the title which their play and lack of quality just dont deserve. They will go down as the worst team to ever with the Premier League, especially gallig as it will take then past us. Hopefully the bulbous nosed Prick will retire and give us all peace after that.

YNWA