Monday 6 August 2018

Sunderland 2 v Charlton Athletic 1 - it just gets worse

At half-time on Saturday I was feeling pretty chipper. Lyle Taylor's penalty had us in front and alongside Grant and debutant Lapse, we had created far more than a nervous looking Sunderland. It was at that point I wondered what odds I might get on the Makems turning it around. They had started odds-on favourites but were now 5-1 to win and Bet365 were offering 15/2 on a 2-1 scoreline. Surely, I thought, that would be the winning scoreline if Charlton were to do it again on live TV, so I had a bite by way of some consolation in the likely event we managed to lose. 

That winning goal was horribly predictable, even after they had spurned an open goal only a minute before and whilst I started the betting season with a modest win, I was disappointed not just to see my beloved team beaten but more-so by the nature of the game which I think may prove prophetic this season. 

We started by only being able to field five subs and finished with two more walking wounded. Our bright start to the game made us competitive for 45 minutes. After the break we tailed off alarmingly as Sunderland grew in confidence and by the end we were carrying passengers who were exhausted and adding very little. In short, our squad wasn't strong enough to hold out for a result and that promises to be the story this season.

As if to rub salt in the wounds, it's clear today from a tweet from the BFG that he is on his way out, most likely to Championship Blackburn Rovers according to Lee Bowyer. Jason Pearce left the field injured on Saturday and whilst he may not be as bad as initially feared, we will be down to only two centre-backs if Bauer goes. We are already relying on a rookie Keeper and our attacking options are picking themselves due to lack of options. 

I am left reflecting on the transfer day deadline a year ago when we let Scunthorpe take Novak from us as we were forced to sign anyone (Dudu or whatever his name was) just to save face. I wonder what could match this level of incompetence and disappointment this year? Ajose will be sold if Duchatelet can get him away but that wouldn't bother me given his all-round failure to contribute since we signed him. How about selling Lyle Taylor to Sunderland and re-signing that Dudu bloke? That would just about top it.

Lee Bowyer must be close to throwing the towel in and after telling us that there will definitely be incoming players, I sincerely hope he's not left trying to polish a turd like Karl Robinson was this time last year. Talking of our Jose Mourinho, I see his Oxford side managed their biggest opening day thumping for 40 years (4-0 battering at Oakwell). Gobby was his usual self afterwards telling anyone daft enough to listen that there would be changes for Saturday and if players think their position is safe, then they are wrong, blah, blah, blah. It makes me feel even better that we have 'basic Bowyer' who sticks to the facts and manages his opinions and reflections incredibly maturely by comparison. If Bowyer were to walk now, I really fear we may not be able to attract anyone competent enough to take the job on - certainly not without new ownership.

Meanwhile, in front of 1075 at PVR, Welling United started the season with a decent 2-0 home win over those middle-class trendies from Dulwich Hamlet. A new look Wings side did well to keep a clean sheet, which was their undoing last year, but deserved their win and will improve as their new-look side gets more playing time together. I will be there next Tuesday to see them take on Billericay Town at 7.45pm. Up the Wings!


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