By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Simon Grayson was forced to settle for a point on his return to the Stadium of Light as Blackpool were unable to capitalise on Sunderland ending the game with 10 men.
Matty Virtue gave the Seasiders the ideal start when he gave the Seasiders the lead after just four minutes with a sublime curling effort.
Sunderland drew themselves level shortly before the half-time break with Charlie Wyke converting high into the net from a corner.
The home side were then reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes when George Dobson was shown a second yellow card.
But Grayson’s men were unable to take advantage, leaving them disappointed at the final whistle only to come away with a point.
Blackpool were forced into making one change from the side that beat Fleetwood Town last week.
Curtis Tilt came in for the suspended Ben Heneghan, who picked up his fifth booking of the season in the 3-1 victory.
It was Tilt’s first league start since the centre back was shown a straight red card in the goalless draw at Burton Albion in October.
Given the current unrest on Wearside, an early goal was always going to worsen the nervousness and anxiety amongst the restless home faithful.
But Pool fans couldn’t have dreamt a better start, as Matty Virtue broke the deadlock after just four minutes with a sublime effort.
A nervy-looking Sunderland backline failed to clear its lines from a Liam Feeney cross, with the ball falling to Virtue on the edge of their box.
The midfielder took a touch to settle himself before curling a delicious effort into the top corner of Jon McLaughlin’s goal.
The home defence continued to show signs of nervousness as skipper Jay Spearing clipped a ball to the completely unmarked Armand Gnanduillet at the back post, but the striker’s header back into the six-yard box was claimed by McLaughlin.
Pool, having started the game with a flat back four, reverted to three centre backs early on with James Husband and Liam Feeney the two wing-backs.
Sunderland’s first chance of the game came shortly afterwards, Duncan Watmore heading over from Luke O’Nien’s centre.
Pool responded with a big opportunity of their own a minute later, Armand Gnanduillet seeing a low effort denied by McLaughlin after battling his way towards goal.
Pool’s assertiveness led to the away fans taunting the home faithful with a chant of “is this a library?” as the Black Cuts continued to struggle.
Sunderland did eventually begin to threaten in the final 10 minutes of the half, with Chris Maguire seeing a goalbound shot superbly charged down by Tilt.
The home side drew level from the resulting move of the game as they capitalised on Husband’s giving away of a cheap corner.
It was a goal out of nothing for the Black Cats, striker Charlie Wyke the man to turn home Maguire’s corner.
Pool ought to have restored their lead just three minutes later when Husband saw a first-time effort blocked on the goalline by his own teammate.
It came after McLaughlin flapped at a deep cross, the ball falling to Husband at the back post with the wing-back seeing his shot strike Gnanduillet on the goalline, with the ball subsequently bouncing wide.
Pool made a change at the start of the second half, Grayson making a like-for-like change by replacing Sullay Kaikai with Sean Scannell.
The visitors almost created an opening five minutes into the second period, as Gnanduillet won his header from Feeney’s corner.
The ball appeared to be heading for Nathan Delfouneso at the back post but the Sunderland defenders managed to scramble clear at the last moment.
A lull in proceedings ensued, the game lacking on quality with neither side willing to take the encounter by the scruff of its neck.
Pool did have penalty appeals ignored just after the hour-mark when Delfouneso appeared to be brought down inside the box.
The forward got straight back to his feet, rather than stay on the ground, which may have made the referee’s mind up for him.
Pool had to ride their luck a few moments later as Wyke came inches away from a second goal for the home side, hitting the crossbar with a header from a corner.
With 15 minutes remaining, Pool were given a big lift when the home side were reduced to 10 men.
George Dobson was the man to be sent his marching orders after being shown a second yellow for a late foul on Gnanduillet.
Pool almost capitalised on the one-man advantage immediately, Tilt hooking an ambitious overhead kick narrowly wide of goal.
Grayson decided to roll the dice with 10 minutes remaining, going two up top by replacing Delfouneso with Joe Nuttall.
Jak Alnwick did well to claim a dangerous low cross with just five minutes to go, keeping hold of the ball with Sunderland players ready to pounce inside the six-yard box.
With four minutes of stoppage time indicated, neither side were able to create any further goalscoring opportunities - leaving Pool disappointed to only leave with the one point.
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 17:20 - Dec 14 with 390 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 17:21 - Dec 14 with 387 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 18:10 - Dec 14 with 385 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 19:01 - Dec 14 with 383 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 19:23 - Dec 14 with 380 views
A sign of Grayson's coaching ability is the team comfortably flicking between different formations from match to match and now, even during the same match.
Disappointed to only come away with a point from the Stadium of Light.
That means we're a good team.
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 09:52 - Dec 15 with 368 views
Simon Grayson says a stomach bug was the reason behind Sullay Kaikai being brought off at half-time during Blackpool's 1-1 draw with Sunderland yesterday.
The winger, who had endured a quiet opening half, was replaced by Sean Scannell for the start of the second period.
But rather than being a tactical switch, Grayson explained Kaikai had asked to come off during the interval.
“He’s just got a bit of a stomach issue," the Pool boss said.
“You could tell Sullay was one of those players who didn’t really influence the game.
“Over the last few weeks there’s been periods of games where he’s played well and other periods where he’s been quiet.
“It’s been something he’s been carrying but he was brave enough to say he wanted to come off because he wasn’t doing himself justice.
“We brought Scanns on. We could have gone with Joe (Nuttall) up front but Scanns played against Fleetwood on Tuesday in the reserves and was outstanding.
“It was only fair to give him that opportunity and play him in the shape we started with.”
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 09:54 - Dec 15 with 366 views
Simon Grayson was left wanting more after his Blackpool side drew 1-1 with Sunderland on his return to the Stadium of Light.
The Seasiders had a man advantage for the final 15 minutes but were unable to capitalise on George Dobson's dismissal.
Matty Virtue had earlier given Pool the ideal start when he scored after four minutes, only for Sunderland to peg them back shortly before the interval through Charlie Wyke.
When asked if he was left wanting more, Grayson replied: “Yes and no.
“I think we would have settled for a point at the start of the game.
“We got off to a great start with the early goal and at that point we wanted to crack on and really try and take the game to them.
“If I’m being honest, at the top end of the pitch when we were attacking we probably didn’t play with a verve about us or the quality we’ve produced in the last few weeks.
“We seemed to be lacking with the final pass in and around the 18-yard box.
“The shape of the team was good and we defended well. Jak Alnwick has barely had a save to make.
“They score from a set piece which they’re a threat from because they’re a big team.
“From our perspective, it’s a good away performance but we were left wanting more because I do feel the game was there to be won.”
Pool thought they were robbed of a late opportunity to win the game when substitute Sean Scannell was set free down the left.
But the referee pulled it back to deal with an off-the-ball scuffle between Curtis Tilt and Lynden Gooch.
Grayson added: “It was a surprising one, wasn’t it?
“There was a bit of an altercation between Curtis and Gooch but then Scanns is then driving down the wing towards the 18-yard box.
“The only reply I got from the fourth official was that the referee might have brought it back because of the severity of it.
“But when he pulls it back he then goes and only books the two, so it’s cost us the opportunity.
“To be fair, the way the game was going we’d probably have messed it up anyway as I just thought that element, where we wanted to take the game to them, and that quality we lacked.
“Even when we changed to a back four and went 4-4-2, we tried as much as we could do but we just didn’t have that quality we’ve been showing over the last few weeks.
“Liam Feeney, and others, who have been outstanding for us just didn’t show what they’re capable of doing.
“You look back and it’s still a professional performance and we’re still unbeaten in a number of games now.”
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 09:56 - Dec 15 with 364 views
Sunderland assistant Steve Parkin praised the character of his players after they came from a goal down to secure a point in today's 1-1 draw with Blackpool.
Matty Virtue's sublime early effort gave the Seasiders the ideal start after just four minutes.
Pool had chances to extend their lead but they were pegged back before the break when Charlie Wyke steered home from a corner.
The home side ended the game with 10 men following George Dobson's dismissal for two bookings, but Simon Grayson's men were unable to take advantage.
On the game, assistant manager Parkin told our sister paper the Sunderland Echo: “I'm disappointed with the first four minutes when we conceded. After that it was a good reaction to conceding the goal.
“The aspects of our play early on were a little bit apprehensive.
“The first half at the end of it we grew into the game and showed more bravery on the ball, it was important to get on the ball and we played some good stuff.
“We got back into the game.”
Parkin added: “We had a chat about body language being important and reaction to disappointment being important too.
“The lads took it on board and there are no guarantees you will score first.
“If you go behind you need to see a reaction, the lads showed a good reaction and sticking to the game plan.
“It was good to see Charlie score a good goal to get us back in it.
“The lads showed a lot of character.”
Parkin was standing in for Parkinson for post-match press duties at the Stadium of Light.
When asked why Parkinson was not facing questions post-match, Parkin explained: “He just wanted a change from it, I think he has had a busy week, his voice is about as good as mine.
“We have had plenty to say this week on the training ground and probably just wanted a break from it.”
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 10:01 - Dec 15 with 360 views
Blackpool failed to go for the kill against their wounded prey - Matt Scrafton's verdict on draw against 10-man Sunderland
Cast your mind back to a few days ago, if you dare, when thousands of council workers and volunteers bizarrely ferreted around a Sunderland sports hall in an attempt to win the ‘race’ to be the first to announce its general election results.
The idea, as the story goes, to begin this odd trend dates back to the 1990s, when the former head of elections at Sunderland city council suggested the idea of declaring the city’s result on the same day as the vote in 1992 — the year the Black Cats reached the final of the FA Cup.
From that point onwards to 2015, Sunderland were unopposed in triumphing in this particular competition — before being pipped to the post by North East rivals Newcastle in 2017. It was those pesky Georgies again who beat them this year.
It can surely be no coincidence, then, that Sunderland’s slide down the leagues goes hand-in-hand with their failure to be the first constituency to announce its results.
Perhaps if Sunderland’s players showed the urgency of those rushing the ballots to the count, they might be doing better than languishing in 12th place in the League One table.
Phil Parkinson’s side were there to be beaten at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The Black Cats were distinctly average with 11 players on the field, never mind 10, and it was plain to see why the Wearside club have lost eight of their last 13 games since Parkinson’s arrival in mid-October.
But when George Dobson was given his marching orders with 15 minutes to go — with the match level — Pool couldn’t have been given a bigger opportunity to win at the Stadium of Light for the first time since DJ Campbell’s double in the Premier League season.
Alas the Seasiders couldn’t capitalise on the home side’s woes and, while a point would have been deemed acceptable before the first whistle, those of a tangerine persuasion will have trooped away from the stadium with that familiar feeling of ‘what if?’
But as Matty Virtue said himself post-match, the signs are certainly good for Blackpool when they’re so frustrated at only drawing against a side as big as Sunderland.
While Parkinson’s men have struggled of late, they’ve still only been beaten at home once in the league this season. They’re fortunate that record remains intact.
It was Virtue who gifted the Seasiders the dream start with a sublime bit of finishing.
The midfielder calmly collected an attempted clearance on the edge of the Sunderland box before arrowing an effort into the far corner of Jon McLaughlin’s net.
An early goal was exactly what the doctor ordered, as Pool boss Simon Grayson — returning to Wearside for the first time since his axing in 2017 — will know only too well how quick the Sunderland crowd are to turn on their own men when things aren’t going well.
While the atmosphere was incredibly timid and subdued, apart from those hardy souls tucked up in the away end in the top tier, to their fans’ credit they stuck with their players.
Pool were in control of proceedings at this point, with skipper Jay Spearing superbly dictating play from the middle of the park.
Armand Gnanduillet perhaps ought to have done better with a chance he created off his own back on 19 minutes, being denied by McLaughlin after battling his way towards goal.
Other than set pieces, Sunderland offered no threat whatsoever. They huffed and they puffed but Pool appeared to be dealing with them fairly comfortably.
According to observers, this was a much-improved display from the beleaguered Black Cats. If this was an improvement, I daren’t imagine how poor they’ve previously been.
But out of nowhere, Parkinson’s side hauled themselves level eight minutes before the break.
What route did the goal come from? You guessed it, a set piece. James Husband conceded a cheap corner and from the following delivery Charlie Wyke got ahead of the defender to steer home.
It was a frustrating setback for the Seasiders, who had been guilty of not going for the kill when their wounded and bruised prey was laid down bare in front of them, almost waiting for the inevitable to happen.
It could have been oh, so different had Pool restored their lead just three minutes later, but they were stopped from doing so in bizarre circumstances.
Husband crept in at the back post to side-foot a first-time effort towards goal that seemed destined to hit the back of the net after McLaughlin had flapped at a deep cross.
But instead of rolling over the line as everyone expected, the ball struck teammate Gnanduillet on the goalline before bouncing harmlessly wide.
The second half was a bit of a non-event, other than the red card that saw Dobson sent off for two yellow cards — the second of which came after a late challenge on Gnanduillet.
The Sunderland fans can really have no arguments with the decision, but that didn’t stop them.
In fact, it seemed to wake up the otherwise sleepy home faithful, who were perhaps still lagging from their efforts volunteering at the election count on Thursday night and Friday morning.
With a quarter-of-an-hour still left on the clock, everything was set up for an exciting Grand Finale where Pool would snatch that all-important winner to propel them up to third, level on points with Ipswich Town in second.
But it didn’t come. Sunderland, to their credit, slowed the game down and frustrated the Seasiders. But Pool will be disappointed with their lack of quality and decisiveness in the final third.
While this was certainly an opportunity missed, there are still plenty of encouraging signs.
For Blackpool have now drawn away at both Sunderland and Ipswich and have beaten Peterborough United and Fleetwood Town on home turf in recent weeks.
Keep that form going until the transfer window opens at the start of January and who knows what beckons in 2020...
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 10:03 - Dec 15 with 359 views
Just had a look at the fixtures for next week, works out well for us, a lot of teams will be taking points off each other.
LEAGUE ONE Gillingham 13:00 Milton Keynes Dons
Blackpool 15:00 Shrewsbury Town
Bolton Wanderers 15:00 Southend United
Bristol Rovers 15:00 Peterborough United
Burton Albion 15:00 Rochdale
Coventry City 15:00 Lincoln City
Doncaster Rovers 15:00 Accrington Stanley
Oxford United 15:00 Wycombe Wanderers
Portsmouth 15:00 Ipswich Town
Rotherham United 15:00 Fleetwood Town
Tranmere Rovers 15:00 AFC Wimbledon
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 09:38 - Dec 16 with 347 views
Simon Grayson says Blackpool’s disappointment in failing to win at Sunderland is a sign of how far they’ve progressed this season.
The Seasiders were forced to settle for a point at the Stadium of Light against a Sunderland side that played the final 15 minutes with 10 men.
Matty Virtue had given them the ideal start, curling home after just four minutes, but Grayson’s men were unable to build on their early lead.
Instead they were pegged back before the break as Charlie Wyke turned home an equaliser from a corner.
“We said before the game we had to get after them early on,” the Pool boss said.
“We knew they would try and get after us, but if we could get on the ball, pass the ball and get opportunities, you know what it can be like here.
“We didn’t build on that which is a little bit frustrating, but it just shows how far we’ve come over the last few months that we’re disappointed we didn’t go and get that second goal.”
Blackpool looked fairly comfortable for much of the afternoon, with Sunderland only posing a threat from set pieces.
That’s exactly how the Seasiders came undone for the goal they conceded, as Wyke beat James Husband to steer home from a corner.
“It’s not like us,” Grayson added. “To be fair they had threatened anyway (from set pieces) as they have Wyke, who is decent in the air, and the two centre-backs come up.
“We weren’t a big team when you look at us, but it was disappointing.
“They hit the bar afterwards as well but that was the only way they were really going to score because we defended well as a group.
“I can’t remember Jak Alnwick having a save to make.”
Saturday’s game marked Grayson’s first return to Wearside since getting the sack in October 2017.
Grayson, who celebrates his 50th birthday today, won just one league game during his brief four-month tenure.
When asked what it was like returning to the Stadium of Light, Grayson told The Gazette: “It was quite quiet to be fair.
“We came here and delivered a professional performance, looking to get a result, but unfortunately we didn’t get that.
“We’ve got another good point to our tally and we now move onto the next one.”
Grayson also reserved a special mention for the Pool fans that travelled up to the North East, often singing on their own in an eerily quiet Stadium of Light.
The Pool boss said: “They were good, they were the ones making all the noise weren’t they?
“They turned out in their numbers a couple of weeks before Christmas so full credit to them.
“They saw their team do a reasonable job. Of course we’d have liked to have won the game but unfortunately that wasn’t the case.”
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Post Match on 17:51 - Dec 16 with 337 views
3 things we learnt about Blackpool from their clash with Sunderland
Blackpool were held to a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light by Sunderland on Saturday.
Tangerines boss Simon Grayson returned to the North East to face his former club and saw his side make a very fast start.
In the fourth minute, Matty Virtue picked up a loose ball from a corner and curled his effort over Lee Burge and into the back of the net.
Charlie Wyke hit back for the Black Cats with eight minutes to go in the first half — catching a corner on the volley and directing it into the back of the Blackpool net.
Both sides had chances to take back the lead but despite Sunderland going down to 10 men with just over a quarter of an hour to go, it ended even.
Blackpool’s next game sees them welcome mid-table Shrewsbury Town to Bloomfield Road but before the focus switches to that, here are three things we learnt from Saturday’s game…
Simon Grayson was happy to sacrifice attacking strength for defensive solidity.
Grayson shifted to a five at the back for his side’s trip to the Stadium of Light on Saturday and appeared content sacrificing attacking fluidity for defensive strength.
His side managed to restrict the Black Cats to just two shots on target but they showed little of the dynamism in the final third that helped them overcome Fleetwood Town last weekend.
Blackpool were held to a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light by Sunderland on Saturday.
PUBLICITÉ
Tangerines boss Simon Grayson returned to the North East to face his former club and saw his side make a very fast start.
In the fourth minute, Matty Virtue picked up a loose ball from a corner and curled his effort over Lee Burge and into the back of the net.
Charlie Wyke hit back for the Black Cats with eight minutes to go in the first half—catching a corner on the volley and directing it into the back of the Blackpool net.
Both sides had chances to take back the lead but despite Sunderland going down to 10 men with just over a quarter of an hour to go, it ended even.
Blackpool’s next game sees them welcome mid-table Shrewsbury Town to Bloomfield Road but before the focus switches to that, here are three things we learnt from Saturday’s game…
Simon Grayson was happy to sacrifice attacking strength for defensive solidity.
Grayson shifted to a five at the back for his side’s trip to the Stadium of Light on Saturday and appeared content sacrificing attacking fluidity for defensive strength.
His side managed to restrict the Black Cats to just two shots on target but they showed little of the dynamism in the final third that helped them overcome Fleetwood Town last weekend.
How much do you know about Blackpool? Take our quiz to find out! 1 of 20
What is the approximate population of Blackpool?
They remain a key side in the play-off picture.
Saturday’s result leaves the Tangerines well set as we near the halfway point in the League One season—sitting fifth in the table, three points shy of the top two.
We know how dangerous Blackpool can be going forward but the resolve that the side showed against Sunderland bodes well for their play-off push.
Jay Spearing will be vital to their season.
The Blackpool captain was a key man for Grayson’s side on Saturday and controlled the game against Sunderland.
If they’re to achieve their goal of promotion this season, you feel he will have to marshall the troops in more big games.
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
