Right then. Help it make sense.

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Negative approach after the break and an inability to deal with Sunderland's tactical tweaks.

Anything else is looking for excuses.

We didn't lose to a better team (although I don't begrudge them their win on the day - they changed their set up and made it pay.)

We lost it ourselves.

That's fair comment, IMO.

 

[Slugger]

Feeling fed up today. But yesterday, I felt calm throughout, I guess I must've thought we'd do it, despite saying beforehand that I couldn't call it.

The feeling at the end is familiar, we've been here a million times before but this time I was left feeling bemused, shell shocked. What just happened?

Go on, help it make sense.

First half, we looked comfortable, assured, settled at the back and creating a few chances. Their lot looked frustrated, limited and we'd silenced their fans.

1. Was it the psychological impact of the second goal being ruled out? Suddenly a 1-0 lead feels weaker, despite being a fantastic position to be in, and a comfortable performance to that point? Does it buoy their lot?

2. Was it injuries that shafted us? Losing your talisman and suddenly your system has to change. You don't have someone wanting to dictate the game. The rest are a good supporting cast, but they aren't the ones looking to make something happen.

3. Was it the lack of a Plan B? Our bench couldn't have looked much stronger, but we looked like we didn't know how to set up, when the subs came on?

4. Was it a lack of like-for-like replacements, to stick to the same game plan? We are mid-rebuild after all and it's very easy to lose sight of that, given how well we've done.

5. Was it Robbo getting wrong footed by their forward for the first? Bringing their fans back into it?

6. Was it injuries that shafted us again? Anel being off the pitch, leaving a hole in the side, conceding whilst temporarily down to 10 men. Yes, the Moore pass really, really didn't help us.

All/some of the above? Owt else? Make it make sense. Because there's no chance I'm chuffing watching it back. And no, I'm not interested in empty, throw away comments like "Wilder bottled it. He'll be out thru the back door". Give me something more substantial than that, based on what we saw. No snidy comments.

UTB, as ever.

Great post!
Nice to see some reasoned argument other than "Wilder bottled it" or "Fuck VAR"
I personally think all of those are valid but particularly 2,4 and 6.
Sunderland offered virtually nothing until they equalized and no doubt we did play 2nd half with the emphasis on protecting the lead but we'd all be happy now if that had resulted in a 1-0 which before our enforced changes looked very likely.
Apart from O'Nein's injury (and let's be honest his replacement is of similar standard) everything went against us...
Hamer injury
VAR decision
BBD as sub having to be subbed (injury from a very aggressive tackle that VAR ignored)
Sunderland keeper diving wrong way for Brooks' shot only to "save" it with his outstretched foot
Concussion protocol delaying our sub meaning Vini dropped back as a makeshift CB leaving a gaping hole for Moore's "pass"

Our tragic near misses can be written with names ...

Hans Segers, Carlos Tevez, Ched Evans, ...
What name are we attaching to this one?

 

[Gimli]

Great post!
Nice to see some reasoned argument other than "Wilder bottled it" or "Fuck VAR"
I personally think all of those are valid but particularly 2,4 and 6.
Sunderland offered virtually nothing until they equalized and no doubt we did play 2nd half with the emphasis on protecting the lead but we'd all be happy now if that had resulted in a 1-0 which before our enforced changes looked very likely.
Apart from O'Nein's injury (and let's be honest his replacement is of similar standard) everything went against us...
Hamer injury
VAR decision
BBD as sub having to be subbed (injury from a very aggressive tackle that VAR ignored)
Sunderland keeper diving wrong way for Brooks' shot only to "save" it with his outstretched foot
Concussion protocol delaying our sub meaning Vini dropped back as a makeshift CB leaving a gaping hole for Moore's "pass"

Our tragic near misses can be written with names ...

Hans Segers, Carlos Tevez, Ched Evans, ...
What name are we attaching to this one?

Add David Hopkin 97 and Steve Simonsen 2012 to the list!

 

[Bladesince61]

I blame var ruined the game

VAR ruins every game in my opinion. Hate it.

 

[VictoryBlade]

Blame was probably the wrong word. The manger is responsible for the performance of the team.

I said in the previous paragraph it's nobody's fault which I stand by, there are no individuals who can or should be singled out.

And yet there is hate aimed towards Keither, I don't get all that TBH!