x

Poyet Half Time Team Talk Works Wonders...

New Sunderland manager Gus Poyet was a sad man after his side simply imploded against the Swans.

Whatever Poyet said to his side at half time it clearly didn't work as a side that spent much of the first forty five minutes frustrating the Swans simply capitulated in front of their traveling support and ended up losing the game 4-0.

Poyet went into the half time break a happy man after his side contained the Swans in the first half and restricted them to one long range shot that was easily dealt with by Westwood in the Black Cat goal. However, forty five minutes later and I suspect that Gus had a full realisation of the job that lies ahead as he tries to pick up the pieces from Paolo Di Canio's short term reign as manager.

Two own goals, a De Guzman special and a Bony penalty was the damage but Westwood also made two top quality saves to keep the score down to at least a half level of respectability as Sunderland ended the afternoon rooted to the bottom of the Premier League with just one point from their opening eight games.

Poyet also had to watch as many of the travelling support disappeared when the third goal went in and headed back towards the South East probably starting their planning for Championship football unless things improve dramatically at the Stadium of Light.

"My team talk at half-time was all about the ball — about creating more and keeping the ball — but I have to say the rest of the half I had been very, very pleased." Poyet said after the game

"I thought we would see more of the same, but, in the second half, we did completely the opposite — so opposite in fact that it was hard to explain — and here we are right at the bottom.

"Unfortunately, it was a sad debut for me."

Sunderland now head back to prepare for next weeks derby against Newcastle already six points adrift of safety.

What to read next:

Leeds heading for the play-offs after shocker at QPR
Just when we thought we’d turned the corner with that win at Boro, we slipped back into the desperate form of the post-international break period, losing heavily to Queens Park Rangers in this critical game.
Queens Park Rangers 4 - 0 Leeds United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
QPR Awaydaze
Our trip to Queens Park Rangers is at 8pm on Friday, thanks once again to our very good friends at Sky Sports. We’re not famous any more!
Crisis, what Crisis?
As Mark Twain might have said, rumours of the death of our promotion hopes have been greatly exaggerated. Last night’s win at Middlesbrough was a hard watch towards the end, but the vital three points has got our campaign back on track.
Middlesbrough 3 - 4 Leeds United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Middlesbrough Awaydaze
Our visit to Middlesbrough kicks off at 8pm tomorrow night, once again thanks to our very good friends at Sky TV. We’re not famous any more!
Leeds promotion hopes damaged by first home defeat of the season
Once again the chance to go back to the top of the table was handed to us on a plate, but we dropped the plate. This week’s frustration-fest was at the hands of Blackburn Rovers.
Leeds United 0 - 1 Blackburn Rovers - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Annual accounts show that the club will have to sell players if we don't go up
The club released the annual accounts for the 2022/3 season this week, and despite the headline figure of an overall loss of £33.7 million, we’re not in danger of any points deduction for now. But the accumulated losses mean that player sales will be inevitable in the summer if we remain in the Championship.
Stuart Dallas thanks the fans as tributes pour in
Stuart Dallas battled hard for two years to return to the game after his serious injury, but has now had to accept that he can no longer get back to the level of fitness needed to play the game at the top level. Club Chairman Paraag Marathe led the tributes, and the player has sent an emotional open letter to all the Leeds United fans.