Sunderland and Wolves shared the points tonight at Molineux in an entertaining match that had no hint of the all out war that Sky and the media had hoped for.
While the football was not always pretty, the challenges were honest and the spirit sincere, and Keano and Mick’s embrace at the end was nice to see.
But enough of the pleasantries. This still wasn’t good enough from Sunderland. It can be said that 2 years ago under McCarthy, his side then would have won this game.
Dwight Yorke and Liam Miller were again sloppy and unproductive in midfield, and it was refreshing to see Keane acknowledge that with the subsitutions. Unlike Reid, Wilko and even McCarthy, there are no favourites here under this manager.
Kavanagh added more bite and composure with his introduction, and should start at QPR. But sadly, it was not simply Yorke and Miller who misplaced passes, as decent opportunities constantly broke down in the latter third.
Leadbitter, despite another lively effort, was guilty of this, while Hysen and Wallace struggled to beat their fullbacks and deliver the potent balls, resulting in a very quiet game from Stephen Elliot and in particular David Connolly.
On the plus side, Dean Whitehead gets better and better in his fullback role, giving us extra attacking threat as he offers full support to his winger, while having the engine to track back. While capable in the challenge, he did tend to dive in a few times too many, but overall he was one of Sunderland’s better performers tonight.
As for Wolves, they have a lively trio of striking options, with a cracking 43rd minute goal by Jemal Johnson showing his talent, aswell as Bothroyd and later Clarke troubling Sunderland’s jittery defence. If not for the ever dependable Darren Ward, Wolves would have been out of sight before Elliot grabbed a somewhat fortuitous equaliser in the 80th minute.
His deflected shot flew past Murray in goal and Breen on the line, and it must be said that the Wolves defence will feel hard done by after the dominant centre back pairing of Gary Breen (yes, I know..) and Jody Craddock.
The constant frustration felt everytime the Wolves fans warbled out the moronic chants of ‘Breeeeen’ following another ball won by the Ireland international only goes to show how good a display from him it was. After the later disappointments with the club, many have forgotten just how capable a defender he was when he first arrived on Wearside.
And since when has Jody Craddock became target man extraordinaire? 2 goals to his name in the last 3 games and he could well have had another 2 tonight, with a great save from Ward clawing a surprisingly well struck left foot volley onto the post only stopping the popular defender from adding to his season tally.
We’ll take the point, but it’s still not good enough. As with every match, us fans, as well as Keane, learn more about this side.
It seems Brown is no longer wanted by Keane, Yorke and Miller aren’t good as a pairing (or maybe individually) in midfield, and Elliot is starting to look back to his best.
Varga and Collins as a partnership still look shaky, and with Varga booked today a change will need to be made regardless, with Caldwell expected to make a welcome return. Nyatanga still doesn’t fill me with much confidence.
Overall, every position bar one can be strengthened in January. As i’m sure Keane knows.
Sunderland: Ward, Whitehead, Collins, Varga, Nyatanga, Miller (Kavanagh 64), Leadbitter, Yorke (Hysen 46), Wallace (Nosworthy 76), Stephen Elliott, Connolly.
Subs Not Used: Carson, Caldwell.
Share this article
Related Articles
still a good away point although you needed more