I think on reflection that a draw vs. Ipswich would have been the lower end of my expectations, as in the least we should have achieved. Imo Ipswich's mid table performances were much to do with McCarthy doing very well with dross rather than any quality there. Perhaps there's a bit more I'll take the draw because t's the first game of the season, and you don't want to start in a bad/disappointing manner, which perhaps makes it a bit of a better result. But yeah, overall I'd say a point would've been the least we were expecting. As you say there were lots of positives, and there are more players and adjustments to be made for these guys which will help so it's far from doom and gloom or a terrible result. That said, with the confidence from promotion last season, and a team that was familiar with each other and the manager's methods - I do feel the win was there for the taking. In fact, I agree, had we got that third goal we'd have come out comfortable winners and deserved winners too, which suggests it wasn't too unrealistic to expect a win. Of course hindsight will be a wonderful thing. If Ipswich go on to be top 6 it looks a very good point, if they totally implode it looks like a good opportunity missed. But yeah, I think I'll stand by my opinion (I'm always happy to review and admit mistakes when I'm often wrong on here!) on this one. Should've been 3 points but by no means a disaster.

Lots of positives on this one, but still a bit of a gamble. He's not cut it at this level, (I believe he struggled for Bolton in the Championship before coming to us on loan.) Looked great in League 1, which indicates he should have the potential to make the step up. He also gives us much needed pace, knows the club, and should hit the ground running. A calculated gamble imo.

Overall am more disappointed than encouraged after Saturday's game. Firstly regardless of whether it's Manure or Macclesfield if you're leading past the 90th minute, it's always going to be disappointing not to hold on. Secondly I'm of the opinion that Ipswich are one of the weaker teams in the division, and McCarthy has been getting the random assortment of players to punch above their weight in mid-table. Without him, I feel they're one of the weaker teams, and it should have been one of the games that we're looking to get 3 points from, regardless of how ambitious we are. I'm also a bit frustrated that Bell hasn't been chosen in front of Williams, who I thought was no great shakes last season, yet retains the roll of first choice lb, even over a guy who got in the team of the season last year in that position. All a bit odd imo. Mind you, there are a number of positives - we didn't look outclassed, a number of players looked like they can make the step up (or back up) to the Championship, and we didn't lose. Think those saying the Millwall game will be a better indicator of how we'll do are correct. But Millwall are also an encouragement of what we could do this season with the right tactics, effort and a couple more shrewd signings. Overall a less than impressive start, but equally not one that gets the alarm bells ringing - which is a first in a few seasons!

From a footballing side of things I was never convinced Dunny had the makings of a coach/manager, and the fact that we're not replacing him is pretty telling. Don't think it'll be a huge loss or have a big impact on the club. From the interview it sounds like Dunny has had enough of coaching too...

Another thing to mention is that Sunderland have spent HUGE amounts under Short. It's not a lack of investment, it's a complete and utter squandering of vast amounts of money from the Di Canio reign onwards which has made the situation a train wreck. Read an article upon it and the sums they gave out to players was staggering - can only remember Rodwell on £70K a week with no relegation clause for starters, although in fairness I hadn't heard of the other players. Coupled with some big contracts for bad characters who enjoy the party and gambling lifestyle (allegedly according to a Sunderland fan I know) it makes for a very toxic mess. As for Wolves, they're already getting some publicity. A couple of international students I know, whop have less interest in football then I have in knitting, both posted Fosun/Wolves celebration posts on Facebook, so it does seem as if an increased awareness is working.

From 5 points in 5 games to 5 wins on the bounce we've seen a heck of a transformation! From playoffs looking a bit shaky automatic places look eminently do-able - long may it continue. We've a few players who're a cut above in this league and it is beginning to show as is our strength in depth - 3 or 4 first teamers out and we still put out a good team. Having said that I am getting a tad worried numbers wise. BBC said both Whittingham & Evans went off injured and with Harper also suspended we're beginning to look a bit thin in the middle. Likewise an injury/suspension to one of our centre backs could also pose a fair few problems. However that's the solitary caution for a team that is in an excellent vein of form and who picked up an excellent 3 points. Winning away vs the strong teams in this division is a sign of - dare I say it - a promotion winning team.

Totally agree about the decision. It was beyond incompetent. Not sure how it could've been a mistake. Totally disagree with Mrs Evans. You can't say that sort of stuff; it's racist, derogatory, and has sod all to do with football and the decision. It's beyond staggering that as well as bringing ethnicity into it, she throws in about refugees which is a pretty sensitive and serious situation. (Again what has that got to do with football???) Like footballers it seems that WAGs should be off social media as they speak/tweet before they think.

Steele watch. New caretakers managers in, Steele out. Dropped by Sunderland by the caretaker managers. Shows what a poor player he is. Sunderland still lost - huge problems at the club that Imo have been festering for some time.

Bit of selective facts going on there. Firstly Warton hasn't been anywhere near third choice cb. On what evidence do you say that? He's not played as 3rd choice, he's not been talked up as 3rd choice in interviews. In fact in a recent interview bemoaning interviews TM didn't mention him at all. Secondly Downing. Downing has got above Ward in the pecking order but that's more to Ward being dire than the initial intention. Several things suggest this to me - from firstly Ward playing initially when Downing first came, through to Downing being a deadline day signing and it not seeming like a priority position to fill based on interviews and the volume of players signed in other positions. As for not that bad I'd agree it's not that bad, but given our resources, wages, transfer spend, players we retained, it's not that good either. Our context suggests top 2. And either via performances or recruitment it seems like TM has mucked that up.

I'd be more likely to believe this if he had an ounce of ability or footballing sense. As he possesses neither the chance of showing us what we're missing is slim. Sneaky suspicion he'll be at Blackpool as Bowyer loves him and shoehorned him into every side.

Because it shows that Venkys are happy to sell people and not invest money. How much did their replacements cost? Pesky thing this evidence lark.

Or he could keep the 3 at the back or go 4-4-2 which works in this division. Even 4-4-1-1 can be attacking with the right guy in the hole. My opinion is that the personnel will determine how attacking we are just as much as the formation. Also to play ANY formation well we need in a lot more players...

Lol. Thanks for the paraphrase. I was trying to say he'd make a big impact - either positively or negatively - it won't be a signing that is simply ok/mediocre.

Think he's either going to be a Danny Murphy type flop or like Lee Carsley when we dropped a division who then became very competent at that level and our captain, a very influential player (before asking to leave). Appreciate that's a bit of fence sitting, but what I'm trying to get at is my gut feel is that this won't be a mediocre signing. He'll either do very well for us, as he pulls the strings in midfield, or will be too old and past it and it'll go horribly wrong. Since I've thought Cardiff were awful the last few seasons I've seen them, I'm slightly towards the latter, but hopefully being a division down will compensate for that.

Who doesn't? And I bet they have less injuries...

keep TM I'd feel more optimistic. A decent if not great manager feasibly could do something with us given time. Mid table Imo a rookie like Dunn and we're doomed. Relegation certs.

Fair play, although lets say Bowyer did get into play offs, played a full strength team in a meaningless game and we lost Gestede and Rhodes to injury/suspension I'd imagine moat would be disappointed we hadn't rested players. Mind you I will say if there is no weakened team/rested players next week that does look a little dodge. But the principle of squad rotation in this situation is ok Imo. Likewise before a big cup game I can see why a manager would want to rest a few players.

Think how we'd feel if we were the ones already in the playoffs. Am sure most would be happy with it then.

Not a problem Thing is I don't think the nancies can cope with any pressure. I've said it numerous times but for me if there was just one on-field issue I could solve it would be we're so mentally soft. As soon as there is any expectation or a game really being able to have a meaningful impact, then they go to pieces. Obviously, the game does matter a lot to us, as does staying up/going down but for the team given it's not in our hands and we look pretty doomed, in a sense the pressure is off, and that may help. Should they feel some of the weight of responsibility for us being in that situation. Too right, and I hope the fans give it to them for it. They've tried to sink to the unprofessional standards of the ownership, and many have succeeded. Can't think of many who've given their all, much less played to the best of their ability, and they should have that as a burden. Given their wage packets, and most won't be here next year, however, I doubt that they will be that bothered though.

To be fair to TM, who probably isn't the greatest manager ever, other than sitting tight and nicking one, when have we actually won. When games are open we often don't win - how many 3-2 scorelines have we been on the end of? I can't think of many teams we've outgunned in an attacking sense, but I can think of a number of times we've scraped the odd win by keeping it tight(ish) like the Barcodes and Forest games. Mind you, I don't think we're that good at the keeping it tight strategy either. More of a least worse case situation imo.

Sorry if not that clear. No pressure as in, we're not expecting to perform well/to do much. And given what fans are thinking, the league table etc. I think it's fair to say we don't expect much from the team. It seems in these situations, they play a bit better than usual. Should they feel some responsibility and have they let the club down - absolutely!

Despite our recent capitulations I feel that we're going to get a positive result against Villa; certainly better than Brum's result. My thinking is as follows: ARA makes a great point that the Hudds team will be all wanting to impress to stake a claim in the play off. Added to which they're a pretty decent team - hence why they're near the top of the table. Plus Brum are bobbins. Villa on the beach (not literally, although it would help, but still wouldn't make it a certainty) combined with their fans preferring us to win, could well be enough to tip things in our favour. Anyone remember the last few minutes vs. Wolves the season Kean botched it and kept us up? Last few minutes were utterly pedestrian and I wonder if that may happen again to some extent, especially if Brum aren't winning and the fans are urging us on. We aren't under pressure. Everyone has us, quite rightly, as favour for the drop. And given we've performed pretty well when the pressure is off, I feel that form may continue and we grab a result. It looks an obvious Villa win and relegation, and the pressure off - like vs. Manure, the Barcodes and others have shown in such situations we are capable of playing some decent stuff Of course I could be totally wrong, but I still think the great escape is on. Admittedly mainly by our relegation rivals incompetence rather than any of our own abilities BUT without trying to do a Mercer, I'm still thinking we've a decent chance of doing it...

The gutting one is Gallacher who looked a good player under Coyle. (And his only good signing.) As for the rest none have looked that good at all and have either been crap, crocked or both so it's hard to tell if they're sulking or just at their own low standards. Not that I disbelieve you just they're that poor it's hard to tell.. Think it's unfair to put Evans in there - he's always crocked apart from when Northern Ireland play. Wouldn't make a difference who was manager no one would get more than a dozen games a season out of him Imo. Also interesting to note how quickly Mulgrew got back under TM...

Good for you. Brownie points for being there. Given we're in the relegation zone perhaps there's some merit to the comments that he's not a good manager? (For the record I think he is ok, but that's not good enough for us.)

Factor in the needing a win and not getting it against Wolves, Bristol City or Barnsley then it does get pretty embarrassing. Heck, even not giving Reading a hard time - who've had a few dodge results of late - shows an innate lack of desire as well as ability. Blimey we're not struggling for wins against Chelsea, Barcelona and Juve is it? We've been against some very mediocre sides with not much to show for it. Still have a sneaky feeling Brum will save us. But we're really supping in last chance saloon now.