Someone needs to grab game by the scruff of the neck & make things happen
Come May, nobody will be analysing one-nil victories for Sunderland. When you are trying to get promoted the most important thing is to put points on the board.
On Saturday, that’s exactly what Sunderland did. Another win against a fellow promotion contender at this early stage is a big positive.
Okay, it wasn’t pretty, in fact bar a few decent individual performances, it was a frustrating watch.
When Phil Parkinson looks back, he’ll count himself and his team slightly fortunate. But it’s a results-based business and this was another big win.
Bar the winning penalty, his team failed to create any meaningful opportunities to score a goal in the entire game. That is something that will need to be addressed going forward as to win games consistently.
At risk of sounding like a broken record; it was again obvious that there was a real lack of pace and energy in the heart of the Sunderland team.
Grant Leadbitter was outstanding, continuing from his impressive performance last week, but he needs help in there alongside him.
Chris Maguire and Lynden Gooch, we know have individual qualities, but pace is not high on the list of either.
Consistency of their performances is a problem and Gooch will especially be disappointed with his showing on Saturday after being given the nod from the start.
Josh Scowen came in but didn’t do enough to stake a claim for a permanent place. He looked off the pace although he slightly improved when he was pushed a bit higher after the Maguire injury.
Peterborough, who will also be looking to get back into the Championship this season, did have pace within their team and looked more of a threat than their hosts, even if also lacking a bit of cutting edge to their play.
For all their energy they never really cut open a physical Sunderland defence, which was well marshalled by another strong showing from skipper for the day, Bailey Wright.
The few saves Lee Burge did have to make he made, although I’m not convinced he is going to see out the season as No1.
Denver Hume was the only player that really looked like he had the legs or enthusiasm to cause the Peterborough defence any trouble.
His direct running was Sunderland’s best form of attack and it was no surprise the winning penalty was won by him. I was glad Leadbitter grabbed the ball. He is a player who has come back in after his break looking sharp and hungry. His know-how and talent will be hugely important.
He loves the club but he has been the best player in the past couple of games and for me, he is the first name on the team sheet. He will be delighted to be back amongst the goals for his boyhood club, and it was well deserved.
From what I have seen so far this season the division is even weaker than the previous two, so it may be a case of watching games of similar ilk going forward. Seven points from nine is not a bad start at all.
There will be tougher tests ahead and the team will need somebody to grab things by the scruff of the neck and make things happen in future games.