SAFC vs. Cardiff City - Reaction & Player Ratings

Article by e-Sunderland Correspondent Ben Mummery

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I shan’t bore fans with a blow by blow account of the Cardiff match, we’ve all seen how it played out, and we’re all relieved to have gotten 3 massive points, and to have lifted ourselves to relative safety, even if on goal difference alone.

This said, there were more pleasing things about Sunday’s midday fixture against our fellow relegation rivals. One struggles to remember the last time Sunderland genuinely dominated a team at home, something that seemed to be a regular thing under the tenure of Steve Bruce. A 4-0 thrashing of Cardiff City was a welcome treat for the forty five thousand fans who came to cheer their club out of the relegation zone, and the manner of the victory seems to have over shadowed the actual result.

Ultimately, the three points are the real prize, but with an away fixture to Manchester United looming large, the confidence and positivity that both players and fans will take from Sunday’s game could be the most important factor in saving Sunderland’s season.

If asked, “Can Sunderland survive the drop” at the beginning of April, surely even the most die hard optimist couldn’t have seen a way back for the Black Cats. Seven points adrift at the foot of the table, and seemingly in acceptance that their fate was settled, Poyet’s team looked like beaten men every time they played. The away fixture at Tottenham seemed to sum up things quite adequately, a 5-1 hammering looked like a merciful score line as the players trudged off with the heads down and their tails between their legs.

Who knows what has happened since then to rejuvenate the players attitude and desire, but the eleven players who’ve started our last three league games bare absolutely no resemblance to the same men that were humiliated at White Hart Lane a few weeks ago.

An away draw (which felt like a loss!) at the Etihad last week seemed to spark things off, as the players seemed to remind themselves of just how well they are capable of playing. A battling win at Stamford Bridge seemed to only solidify that, and going into the Cardiff fixture, one felt that a big win was finally coming for the Black Cats.

To a man, Sunderland were superb on Sunday. Every player called upon stepped up to the mark, did their job, and took responsibility, which sadly has not always been the case this term. Even players who have had very indifferent seasons played their socks off, Seb Larsson in particular had arguably one of the best games of his Sunderland career. The Swede, asked to play in central midfield, did everything but score, and seemed to want to be on the ball every second of the game. Former skipper Lee Cattermole led the midfield valiantly, and even when, as so often happens, the opposition targeted him for his potentially violent temper, he remained cool and calm, and let his football do the talking.

Our back 4 were superb, marshaling the pace of former Black Cat Frazier Campbell, and avoiding any hint of danger, while cutting out the costly mistakes that have cost Sunderland so dearly this season.

However special mention should go to Connor Wickham, whose return to the club following two spells on loan to championship teams, has seen the twenty one year old slot home five goals in three games, against some considerable opposition to boot! Wickham ran the forward line brilliantly yesterday, and showed he is maturing into the player that Steve Bruce saw fit to pay eight million pounds for.

His hold up play, strength in possession, work rate, attitude, and finishing were all superb, and he deserved not only his two goals, but his man-of-the-match recognition. Sunderland have been crying out for a hero to come and change their fortunes, and hopefully this young man can be exactly that.

Another point worth noting yesterday was the manger’s faith in his starting eleven, making no changes from the last two games. Gus Poyet has been accused of tinkering with his team a little too often this season, and to see him show faith in the players that have performed so well in the last week was very pleasing indeed. This, combined with some very effective substitutions (diminutive Italian Emanuelle Giaccherini created two goals against Man City, played well against Chelsea, and scored a beauty yesterday!) showed he is getting to know both his players, and the club better with time. Should he be able to keep Sunderland in the Premier League, one hopes his playing style and “brand” of football can work well for the club, and that he remains the man to take us forward and achieve the long awaited stability that Sunderland so desperately need.

Three games remain for the Black Cats, with an away trip to Old Trafford next on the cards, and two crucial home clashes with West Brom and Swansea to round off the season, and after the last three games, only a fool would dare bet which was any of those results will go!

The Sunderland players need now, more than ever, to remain grounded, and string some results together as they’ve thus far struggled to do – what better time to prove to the fans that they are worthy of their premier league status! They have arguably the easiest run in of all their fellow strugglers, and with a “one-game-at-a-time” approach, hopefully the points are there for the taking, and hopefully, the players are confident enough in their own abilities to see the season out on a high, but once again with the key word being “hope”, it is that well famed phrase “squeaky bum time”, and as any Sunderland fan will tell you – “It’s the hope we can’t stand!”

Player Ratings

Vito Manonne – 8

The Italian ‘Player-of-the-year’ didn’t have a lot to do in all fairness, but when called upon to make a fine save from a Cardiff free kick, which deflected viciously to send him the wrong way, he came up with the goods. A great week for Manonne, after a superb display against Chelsea last weekend.

Santiago Virgini – 8

Much more comfortable in his last three outings, when deployed at right back. Looked calm in defense, and on the ball, we’re starting to see why he was so sought after. More of the same please!

Marcos Alonso – 7

Still a little suspect with his defensive positioning, and certainly not the quickest, but provides an effective outlet and some width to Sunderland’s attack. Played well going forward, and has a calming effect on the team when in possession.

John O’Shea – 9

FINALLY!!! A captain’s performance from the Irishman, no stranger to big games. He marshalled the back four excellently, and didn’t put a foot wrong. About time we saw a display like this from the skipper!

Wes Brown – 9

O’Shea and Brown made sure that Cardiff had nothing in terms of at attacking threat through the middle of the pitch, which considering neither possess anything resembling pace, and faced with the rapid Frazier Campbell, was quite a feat. Wesley Brown was commanding, and made no mistakes in possession or defense.

Lee Cattermole – 8

So often a cauldron ready to boil over, opposition players rightly target the Teeside man for his fiery temper, and all too often get their results. Jordan Mutch was on his back from the get-go, but got no response from the former captain, who kept his cool throughout, and strung together some fine passes, as well as affecting some important tackles.

Gus has publically stated that he is a huge Cattermole fan, and one can see why – its players like Lee who have the ability to drag Sunderland out of the mire!

Jack Colback – 8

A typically industrious performance from the local hero, you know exactly what you’ll get with Colback. A massive work rate, Jack will never set the world ablaze with his football, but whatever he lacks in creativity and electric talent, he makes up for in work and desire. Played his guts out as per usual.

Sebastian Larsson – 9

Absolutely superb, arguably his best game in a Sunderland shirt. Wanted the ball from the off, and was involved in everything, pin point with his delivery from the set piece for the opener, one wonders where this has been all season!

Adam Johnson – 7

In his defense, was well marked and his chances were limited. Cardiff clearly identified him as a threat from the start, but did the best with what he had.

Fabio Borini – 8

Deployed in his usual “left-forward” role, as opposed to a conventional winger. The feisty Italian plays his heart out every game, and this was no exception. The coolest man in the stadium once again for his penalty.

Connor Wickham – 10

Brilliant from the young center forward. Won every aerial duel, brought the ball down well, everything that went to him stuck – watch and learn Jozy!

Ran his socks off for the cause, and scored who crucial goals from set pieces. A grand performance, and worthy of his place in the starting eleven.

Subs

Gardner – 5

Came on seemingly just to get booked. One thinks his time at Sunderland might be coming to an end.

Giaccerini – 8

A super-sub performance once again, the little Italian’s pace and creativity have made a real impact in the last few games. Great feet, and gas to burn. A great left foot finish for his goal.

Bridcutt – 7

Came on to seal things up near the end, and did the job. You never notice much of him in games, but just does what’s asked of him and cracks on. Industrious, hard working, but one feels a little short of what is maybe desired to excel in the premier league – we’re here to be proved wrong!

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