CliftonCliff

Thank you guys.

Can’t seem to get it to work at the moment. Would it be possible for you to provide a link?

This, all day long. James. Sometimes hardly notice him when he's playing, but you bloody well notice when he isn't.

Apologise?! Social Services would regard it as a child protection issue. You're fortunate not to have been handed a custodial sentence. (I know about these things. My Dad did the same to me.)

Thought for a moment you meant Pring was waiting for an Amazon parcel, which would have explained why he Isn't available.

Agree with pretty much all of that, not least about the constant, disproportionate criticism of individual players. I’m afraid I’m one who tends to glaze over a bit when we start delving into stats, but for once I find the data on Williams quite interesting, because I have felt recently that we are starting to get more regular glimpses of the outstanding player he was at Wigan. Chasing back and making ball-recovering tackles after losing possession was one of the eye-catching features of his game then. He has often looked inhibited here by an understandable lack of confidence in his own physical resilience and a need to protect a known vulnerability, but on Saturday I thought he looked much more like that very energetic player of a few years ago. If he is becoming strong enough and confident enough to do that on a more consistent basis, it will make a very considerable difference to our midfield, and that, incidentally, also feeds into the ongoing debate about Massengo, whose energy and tendency to want to play at a high tempo are a big part of what can make him look an asset - on his better days.

Steady, now, steady...

Bloody hell, am I dreaming or what?! That was unbelievably good. Scott's performance has been off the scale. Just hope we don't regret the missed chances: we could have been out of sight by now, but it seems almost churlish to criticise. Terrific stuff.

That's worked for me - thank you. ?

I think they might today...

Absolutely this, almost above any other consideration. For what seemed a very long time, I was watching games and tearing my hair out at a glaring inability to string a few decent passes together. It was exasperating and baffling in equal measure. Even experienced, mature players like James appeared at times unable to execute a simple pass and persistently gave the ball away. My mates will tell you I sounded like a stuck record, repeatedly saying through gritted teeth "just look after the ****ing ball, for Christ's sake!" We became for a time a counter-attacking team, and to be fair actually started to look quite good at it, but it was making a virtue out of a necessity. We had no choice but to play on the break, because most of the time we surrendered possession to the other side and were playing without the ball for long periods. It looks utterly different now. The other night, I watched as Scott and others strutted their stuff, knocking the ball around with confidence, with Huddersfield chasing shadows at times. I could hardly believe I was watching the same group of players. And there was that opening move from the kick-off at Blackpool, when I counted something like ten or a dozen passes without the opposition getting a touch, before Well hit the post. If that had gone in, it would have gone down in history as one of the great City goals, rather like that one of Tammy's that gets replayed every now and again, where we kept the ball for twenty-odd passes or whatever it was. We're seeing confident, controlled, sustained possession at last: it's a breath of fresh air and a joy to watch. If we can just persuade one or two individuals not to be over-confident and stop playing suicide balls in dangerous territory... (but that's been debated at length elsewhere).

Agree about Rennie and would add as another important positive Pearson’s willingness not to overplay individuals with a history of chronic injury. His management of Williams is the obvious example and has been exemplary. That would not have happened under some previous regimes and it helps enormously with coping with a limited squad size. We have seen that Nige will stick with players who are delivering, so that Wells, for example, who has finally been given the chance to start regularly, will know that he keeps the shirt as long as he performs well, but alongside that backing, Pearson also shows an eminently sensible approach to rotation in the case of players with a known vulnerability. If I had to choose one word to sum up this manager’s way of doing things it would be “pragmatic “. It’s the mark of a man who is experienced and knows what he’s doing. It’s the first time in many years that I’ve felt we’ve had someone in charge with his kind of seniority and authority in whom I’ve felt confident.

That was my first reaction, too. An injury to one of the back three and we have a problem. Otherwise, fine.

Watching second half and haven't seen anything to make me think Cardiff are anything to write home about. This phase of the game almost totally controlled by Brum, who are nothing special themselves. Something to note, perhaps, is that Cardiff live dangerously times in and around their own box, when trying to play out from the back. Got away with it so far, but pressure from a disciplined pressing side could easily force an error.

Oh dear. Major senior moment there, I’m afraid. Embarrassing, but thanks for straightening that out for me.

Yes, outstanding individual effort from Gyokeres looks like it will give Coventry a point they barely deserve, but it doesn’t disguise an indifferent performance. The introduction of KP doesn’t seem to have made much impact.

You may well be right, based on what we’ve seen of them today. They’ve been a bit more dominant second half, but still look toothless up front. It’s been quite a physical battle and Sunderland have come out of it better in that regard. Will be interesting to see how we stand up to them next week. They’re a handful, with the likes of Batth and McFadzean. Could be quite good fun watching how Chris Martin handles himself up against those two.

Coventry were quite impressive last season, which initially surprised me - I had underestimated them. So far, however, they look pretty mediocre in this game. Had their fair share of possession, but not done a great deal with it. Don't look particularly dynamic and seem ill at ease with Sunderland's pressing. Also giving the ball away regularly with sloppy passing. All in all, Sunderland well worth their one goal lead.

You’ve lost me there. Care to explain?

I’m glad you posted this. It makes me feel slightly less of a berk for my hasty comment after 10-15 minutes, at which point it all seemed a bit frantic to me. It’s true that Burnley have owned the game since then, and all credit to them for that, but some of it is down to the fact that Huddersfield buckled in the face of it. Be interesting to see if they can respond second half. (This was posted in response to Stevieneville’s comment about the pace of Burnley’s approach, by the way.)

You bastard. That’s completely out of order.

Yes, somewhat awkwardly for me. Since I typed my post above, they have taken complete control of the game. Must learn not to be so premature, as many of my past girlfriends would doubtless agree.

Yes, quite a lot, thanks, having been a City ST holder for decades.

Bit underwhelmed so far. Frenetic. Being played at 100mph, but very little composure. Only a quarter of an hour gone, so “early doors “, but not a lot of quality on show in the opening exchanges. (IMO, of course...) (And naturally, just as I post that, Burnley score a well-taken goal).

Only started watching just before Scott came on. I would say England have been clearly the better side since then. Alex has been very good. The tackle I just witnessed by an Italian player that provoked a bit of a ruckus deserved a red card. They have been very niggly. Great comeback. Deserved win.