2points lost by Malky ghost

I very seldom post despite being on the board almost every hour for years, mainly because it is such good entertainment. I have not commented on the Malky issue mainly because I was unsure if he should go or not. However, after watching us throw away 2 bloody vital points I felt compelled to vent my frustration somewhere!
That result emphasised to me that Malky going was the right decision. The totally defensive mindset that clearly is the basis for Malky / Kerslake tactics has again cost us points. What justification was there to remove our most potent players from the game with over 20 mins to go?
Once Noone, Campbell and Kim had been substituted we offered no threat at all. I could understand it with 5 mins to go but to remove Noone after 72 mins for Cowie was madness and a clear message to Sunderland that we were settling for hanging onto a 2 Nil lead. Up to that point they could not handle Noone. If he was tiring (no reason why he should be with only two thirds of the game gone) then why not replace him with another attacking threat??? What wasn't Bellamy on the bench as apparently the issue was between Malky and Craig?
Rant over!!
Happy to receive abuse if you do not agree as this is only my opinion!

2 points lost and our premier place lost.

2 points lost and our premier place lost.

Can I have a go on your crystal ball too?

I very seldom post despite being on the board almost every hour for years, mainly because it is such good entertainment. I have not commented on the Malky issue mainly because I was unsure if he should go or not. However, after watching us throw away 2 bloody vital points I felt compelled to vent my frustration somewhere!
That result emphasised to me that Malky going was the right decision. The totally defensive mindset that clearly is the basis for Malky / Kerslake tactics has again cost us points. What justification was there to remove our most potent players from the game with over 20 mins to go?
Once Noone, Campbell and Kim had been substituted we offered no threat at all. I could understand it with 5 mins to go but to remove Noone after 72 mins for Cowie was madness and a clear message to Sunderland that we were settling for hanging onto a 2 Nil lead. Up to that point they could not handle Noone. If he was tiring (no reason why he should be with only two thirds of the game gone) then why not replace him with another attacking threat??? What wasn't Bellamy on the bench as apparently the issue was between Malky and Craig?
Rant over!!
Happy to receive abuse if you do not agree as this is only my opinion!

I 100% agree with you mate and was just saying exactly the same thing to my mates.
you cannot invite a team to attack you for 25 minutes and pose no threat going the other way at this level. This is exactly what Malky would have done tonight whereas the best managers would put on attacking threat to give the opposition something to worry about when they are gambling to get back in the game.
I'll never slag malky off as I think he's done wonders for this club, but I for one am looking forward to seeing what a new manager can bring to the plate.

I agree with you mate.I couldn't believe the timing or the personnel involved in the substitutions.
Kerslake must have been in phone contact with Malky for the final 10 minutes.I am gutted.

Need a new coaching staff and fresh eyes in asap... In first half the players showed they have the quality... Amazing to think that Mutch didn't even come on during the first few games of season and playing Noone is a very new thing too...

2 points lost and our premier place lost.

Today was our last game of the season?

Agree with you me and my son saying same on way home.

2 points lost and our premier place lost.

Today was our last game of the season?

Did I say that.

We go down and everyone will look at that game that would have cost us.

Agree with you me and my son saying same on way home.

Sadly Kerslake has inherited all Malky's bad habits. Shame really, because when he had us on the front foot we looked class.

Typical Malky performance. Sit back and invite pressure on us. The sooner we get rid of Malkys mentally the better.

Kerslake aint going to be here long himself.......it was a strange situation,i dont remember the last time we had a caretaker boss

I also rarely post but totally agree with your point.

I think today was typical of what we have seen during the Malky era - get a lead and hang on for grim death. This served us well last season but I can recall many games when we were dead lucky despite our margin of success in the Championship. I would describe his (and presumably Kerslakes’s based on his subs) approach as ultra-cautious and lacking in bravery. I would say that I am a massive Malky fan and fully appreciate what he has done for us.

Today I was very encouraged by the starting line-up especially with Kimbo in the middle. I thought that he inspired an energy in the team which has been missing (movement off and to the ball) – he clearly plays well with Mutch and actually slid some “along the deck” balls for Campbell to move on to (what a great player he is!). Medal was absolutely incredible all game and all looked good for City. I felt that the first half initiative swung after the ref failed to give an obvious foul on Kimbo around their penalty box (he seemed to have a big problem with Kimbo – biased against him? – he got Jack shit all day!). The confidence seemed to wilt and Marshall had to deliver big time as usual.

I think that when Malky looks back on his time at City he may regret not “sharing out” the lead roles – he has stuck with Whitts (who I totally respect) often when he has not been performing – Kimbo, Noone and Mutch have not had the same opportunity to bed in for big chunks of time. I know about growing a core group of key people but sometimes even your best need to feel the competition!

When we scored our second goal I thought that it was game over. However the substitutions followed the normal pattern when we have had a lead – take off the attackers off and put the defensive players on – hence giving an immediate lift in confidence and optimism to the opposition. People may say that this is the benefit of hindsight but I would argue that this is based on the evidence of the last few seasons.

The good news as far as I am concerned is that we can play good football, along the ground and we can survive in this league. I believe that we need to play with positivity against the weaker sides and maybe stick with Malky’s approach against the elite teams.

Fingers crossed for a happy new year.