Championship - Sunderland AFC vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Whichever way you look at it, this was a great result.

It's hardly surprising it took us a while to adjust to the extra quality and speed of play in this League, but I thought we defended well during this adjustment period. Actually, we defended well all game - maybe our defence is not quite as bad as many have feared.

We were unlucky not to go 3 goals ahead, and ought to have had a penalty although in fairness I thought they should have had a penalty in the first half so maybe things evened up in the end.

Was slightly worrying how we let them come at us when they were 0-2 and a man down, but hopefully we'll learn how to manage games at this level as we go through the season - and lets be honest, Sunderland are masters at the comeback and also one of the hardest opponents we will have this season.

All in all, a very positive start.

[Andym]

Whichever way you look at it, this was a great result.

It's hardly surprising it took us a while to adjust to the extra quality and speed of play in this League, but I thought we defended well during this adjustment period. Actually, we defended well all game - maybe our defence is not quite as bad as many have feared.

We were unlucky not to go 3 goals ahead, and ought to have had a penalty although in fairness I thought they should have had a penalty in the first half so maybe things evened up in the end.

Was slightly worrying how we let them come at us when they were 0-2 and a man down, but hopefully we'll learn how to manage games at this level as we go through the season - and lets be honest, Sunderland are masters at the comeback and also one of the hardest opponents we will have this season.

All in all, a very positive start.

I agree with all that. I think it was the speed f the game and how quickly they closed us down that caused problems. It resulted in too many wayward passes. Hladky looked very suspect playing out from the back for the first 20 minutes, but improved after that - and had a good game. He was at fault with the only chance they had in the first half where he didn't push the ball to safety, but tht and the not-given penalty were their ony two chances of the first half.
After that we played well, struggling or possession and scored two good goals and should have had a penalty ourselves.

I do agree with your comment about how they came back at us and we didn't have an answer. All in all a decent performance, a great result and a clear indication that we have moved up a level to what I think is going to be a quality division. Some tough games ahead, but a great start.

[Charnwood]

We have to remember Sunderland are the comeback kings of the Championship having won 22 or 23 points from a losing position last season.