I think our team as is, is already close to mid-table quality of The Championship, when healthy. No team in L1 was better in the last 1/3 of the season than we were. Would love to get some of the loans permanently.
Thought Sunderland looked technically better and played higher quality football - which is what one would expect with the squad and resources they still have. But they didn't score from open play. If you take the Sarr-Phillips mix-up out of the equation our defence remained unblemished, which has been one of the things Bower and Jackson have put right this season. We looked spirited and kept ourselves in the game. Both our goals were scrappy...but who cares?...and neither came from a forward.
It's great to be back in the Championship.
Once the euphoria has passed there is some hard thinking to be done, though.
We have a large number of players out of contract at the end of the month and loanees returning to their home clubs. To survive in the Championship we'd need to keep most of them and bring in a significant number of quality reinforcements. Roland will only sell when he wants to...and we will have little to no control as to when they might be or to whom. (Shame on him not being there today. OK: he might not have been able to attend...but he could have sent his son, or business partners etc). So the prospects for 2019-2020 are quite unstable.
The way things stand - and with no idea whether Bowyer will remain as manager either - I'd take surviving in the Championship next season as an acceptable outcome.
The cruelty of the game on full display, was sure we would be on the sharp end of it. But the compassion of humanity on display too, celebrating like mad with strangers, hi fiving a distraught Sunderland lad. Sometimes this game can be alright... !!!
Quality content here. Johnny Williams coming on to provide a spark and dash his old teams hopes of promotion. Sunderland til I Die season 2 will be cracking!
Quality content here. Johnny Williams coming on to provide a spark and dash his old teams hopes of promotion. Sunderland til I Die season 2 will be cracking!
Sitting on the High Speed @ St Pancras completely drained
Just have absolutely nothing left in the tank... Give me till tomorrow and I'll compose my thoughts about today
Credit to Sunderland fans in defeat... Had a load of them coming up and shaking my hand outside the Ground - Really hope they smash this Division next year
Watched the game with a bunch of non Charlton supporting mates in Copenhagen. They celebrated the goals almost as hard as me. Unbelievable day! Bowyer and Jacko take a bow.
Comments
Got to give a.special mention to Darren Prately. He held it.together for us in the first half when everyone else lost their heads.
Josh Cullen simply magnificent. Streets ahead in terms of quality.
Atmosphere in the cheap seats was amazing. Be interested to hear how it sounded on Tele, as I think we more than matched them in the signing support.
COYR
i’m in the Corner House getting pissed. Anyone who wants a drink just ask the fat fucker in the blue shirt.
Over the moon. Lee and team need contracts NOW and then honestly I think promotion is a possibility next year.
Knackered. Need a cup of tea.
Just have absolutely nothing left in the tank... Give me till tomorrow and I'll compose my thoughts about today
Credit to Sunderland fans in defeat... Had a load of them coming up and shaking my hand outside the Ground - Really hope they smash this Division next year