Wise Men Say: Lads pointing the way towards potential survival

Considering we deserved something from the Manchester City game last midweek but got nothing, taking a point from Anfield despite playing awful football and being 2-0 down is indeed welcomed.
....
..

It’s hard to to be pleased about the performance for the first 80 minutes.

I didn’t feel like Liverpool had to work too hard for a two-goal lead, and, before Adam Johnson’s lifeline, I felt that my mood was destined to be as flat as the Anfield atmosphere (in the home end, of course).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But, with Norwich’s defeat, it felt like a huge point for us, despite them up the road adding three to their own tally. In fact, the Canaries appear to be in freefall.

Remembering that we have to play them ourselves yet, they seem like they can realistically become one of the two sides we need to catch.

Indeed, the last two games have indicated that thre is plenty of fight left in the players and Sunderland’s form of eight points in six games seems decent enough on the surface.

If that trend continues, the Black Cats will go into the final game of the season on 36 points, so, scratching below that surface, you have to wonder if they’re doing enough.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That points total will keep you up some year, but I’m not sure it will this time around.

The thought of relegation doesn’t scare me as it has done in recent years. I think the performance of the January signings shows that Big Sam has an eye for a player, or is at least part of a network involving people who do.

Of course, it would be a massive shame if the celebration of finally cracking recruitment was greeted with relegation to the Championship, but it would bring massive hope that the journey sides like Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday have taken could be avoided.

Back to Saturday’s game and it’s fair to say there are a few questions to take into the rest of the season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

What can be done or who can play to close the gap between Jermain Defoe and the rest of the side?

Far too much was asked of our top goalscorer at Anfield and it’s something that needs addressing.

Another question is will the return of Seb Larsson bring an end to Lee Cattermole’s involvement in the first team?

The Teessider looked like a fish out of water again at the weekend, with Yann M’Vila and Jan Kirchhoff mopping up the defensive duties in the middle of the park.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Again, it’s something that needs addressing if we want to stumble across a settled side that can put together a good run of form.

It’s about time we beat Manchester United at home, innit?

Bring it on.

* The Wise Men Say podcast is available from every Monday, with SAFC debate from a variety of guests and post-match reaction.You can stream it direct from wisemensay.co.uk or subscribe to it on iTunes