Re: How's Your FIFA 14 Career Mode Going?
• With 17 points from nine games, I would say that we are over-performing at this stage of the season. We have been very tight in defence, conceding very few until the derby. While I'm chuffed that we are winning and averaging close to two points per game, I don't think we will keep up this run of form, though being knocked out of the league cup means we can focus on the Premiership, and that will help us tremendously.
• Our set pieces and corners have yielded lots of goals, but we still need our strikers to score with some regularity. I'm 100% confident that they will come into form as the season goes on, hopefully all at different times so we consistently have a goalscorer to rely on.
• Jozy Altidore has been the subject of a lot of discussion as he's not a regular in the team. The lad is trying his best, but I have to play the boys who are in form at the moment, and there is no room for him to reclaim a spot right now.
• We go into November facing some tough fixtures such as Manchester City and Stoke, as well as a couple of tricky games against Hull and Aston Villa. I will need my boys at their sharpest, and it will be a good chance for the strikers to make a claim for a starting berth that's not yet locked down.
Sunderland AFC: Nine Lives
September & October 2013 Update
September
West Bromwich Albion 0-3 Sunderland
Morata 25' 38' 61'
What a start for Morata, scoring three on debut to give us a wonderful three points over a team I expect will be struggling for the security of a mid-table finish. We were on top throughout the 90 minutes, and the first half gave me the confidence to let Mavrias have his first competitive minutes.
Sunderland 0-1 Derby County (Capital One Cup)
Hughes 87'
An unlucky result to a game that we should have seen into extra time. I think we defended well, but credit to Derby and Will Hughes for that one piece of magic to win it all. We will channel all our energy into the league now.
Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Sturridge 16'
Given that Liverpool had scored 12 goals in their five victories prior to this meeting, losing whilst conceding just one is an achievement in itself. We defended really well, and you could argue that Sturridge was offside when he scored.
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
Wickham 90'
Ozil 89'
Another game that we really should have won. Arsenal struggled to create real chances until the introduction of their major summer signing, Mario Mandzukic. His presence alone was enough, and one chance was all they needed. Thankfully, we won a late corner that allowed us to grab a point for our troubles. I'm glad Wickham was able to get a goal, as he's been hitting the woodwork for several games now.
October
Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United
Kongolo 88'
Mascherano 2', Valencia 59'
It's never fun conceding so early on, and we struggled to keep up with the pace and power of the league leaders. By signing Mascherano, they have instantly managed to strengthen their spine. We were very lucky to get a goal, maybe we ought to have conceded two or three more if we're talking about a result reflective of the performance.
Swansea 0-1 Sunderland
Giaccherini 72'
Once Dossena got sent off in the first half, I knew we had a match on our hands. Credit to Swansea for defending so well, but you can't always keep up the tempo for 90 minutes. I'm thrilled Giac was able to grab the winner, as he's been playing wonderfully for several weeks.
Sunderland 4-3 Newcastle United
Johnson 17' 76', Morata 35' 71'
Marveaux 24', Roberge (o.g.) 59', Gouffran (pen) 79'
We went into this game fully aware of what was at stake. It's probably the biggest game of the calendar, and we knew we had to win it for the fans. Adam's a local lad, and he really took matters into his own hands today. A couple of silly mistakes and unfortunate events cost us a bigger margin of victory, but we'll take the three points gladly.
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Analysis
September & October 2013 Update
September
West Bromwich Albion 0-3 Sunderland
Morata 25' 38' 61'
What a start for Morata, scoring three on debut to give us a wonderful three points over a team I expect will be struggling for the security of a mid-table finish. We were on top throughout the 90 minutes, and the first half gave me the confidence to let Mavrias have his first competitive minutes.
Sunderland 0-1 Derby County (Capital One Cup)
Hughes 87'
An unlucky result to a game that we should have seen into extra time. I think we defended well, but credit to Derby and Will Hughes for that one piece of magic to win it all. We will channel all our energy into the league now.
Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Sturridge 16'
Given that Liverpool had scored 12 goals in their five victories prior to this meeting, losing whilst conceding just one is an achievement in itself. We defended really well, and you could argue that Sturridge was offside when he scored.
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
Wickham 90'
Ozil 89'
Another game that we really should have won. Arsenal struggled to create real chances until the introduction of their major summer signing, Mario Mandzukic. His presence alone was enough, and one chance was all they needed. Thankfully, we won a late corner that allowed us to grab a point for our troubles. I'm glad Wickham was able to get a goal, as he's been hitting the woodwork for several games now.
October
Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United
Kongolo 88'
Mascherano 2', Valencia 59'
It's never fun conceding so early on, and we struggled to keep up with the pace and power of the league leaders. By signing Mascherano, they have instantly managed to strengthen their spine. We were very lucky to get a goal, maybe we ought to have conceded two or three more if we're talking about a result reflective of the performance.
Swansea 0-1 Sunderland
Giaccherini 72'
Once Dossena got sent off in the first half, I knew we had a match on our hands. Credit to Swansea for defending so well, but you can't always keep up the tempo for 90 minutes. I'm thrilled Giac was able to grab the winner, as he's been playing wonderfully for several weeks.
Sunderland 4-3 Newcastle United
Johnson 17' 76', Morata 35' 71'
Marveaux 24', Roberge (o.g.) 59', Gouffran (pen) 79'
We went into this game fully aware of what was at stake. It's probably the biggest game of the calendar, and we knew we had to win it for the fans. Adam's a local lad, and he really took matters into his own hands today. A couple of silly mistakes and unfortunate events cost us a bigger margin of victory, but we'll take the three points gladly.
**********
Analysis
• With 17 points from nine games, I would say that we are over-performing at this stage of the season. We have been very tight in defence, conceding very few until the derby. While I'm chuffed that we are winning and averaging close to two points per game, I don't think we will keep up this run of form, though being knocked out of the league cup means we can focus on the Premiership, and that will help us tremendously.
• Our set pieces and corners have yielded lots of goals, but we still need our strikers to score with some regularity. I'm 100% confident that they will come into form as the season goes on, hopefully all at different times so we consistently have a goalscorer to rely on.
• Jozy Altidore has been the subject of a lot of discussion as he's not a regular in the team. The lad is trying his best, but I have to play the boys who are in form at the moment, and there is no room for him to reclaim a spot right now.
• We go into November facing some tough fixtures such as Manchester City and Stoke, as well as a couple of tricky games against Hull and Aston Villa. I will need my boys at their sharpest, and it will be a good chance for the strikers to make a claim for a starting berth that's not yet locked down.
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