Sutton v Birmingham-Match thread

[manonthemoon]

Today performance was solid and the shape was not pulled around by Birmingham City.

In these types of game it is always nice for the underdog to score first but that was not the case to be.

We did have 3 chances Harris, Vaz and Nearsden. Sadly it did not full for us today.

BUT let's look at what we did do defended in a good shape and good numbers. Sometimes this season we have been a little open to other teams. We can build on a good defence.

In midfield we competed. Passing was not always as good as it can be but we never looked uncomfortable with Birmingham's ability they have in their midfield.

The players all seemed to know the plan and we played and kept at it.

Sadly at the front end of it we lacked a little.

I know strikers are hard to find and today we just lacked a little out ball to keep off some of the pressure.

We all know Morrison project A New Sutton United would take time.

What we need to take from today is a good defence, is a good basis for the midfield to control and this will in turn lead to strikers getting chances and start scoring freely.

So we are out of the FA Cup but let's now get behind Sutton and enjoy what comes from the rest of the season.

[boomboom]

Birmingham were a class or more above the other two L1 sides in TV action the last couple of days.  I was very impressed with them apart from some wayward shooting and picking up four yellow cards, fully deserving their win.

However, an excellent defensive performance from us, especially in view of some of the displays so far this season, restricting the visitors to the same number of goals we conceded against Chertsey (and a missed penalty!). I've been underwhelmed by Waller but thought he was outstanding today, with Kirk very assured and Sims highly competent behind them.

A tad disappointed with us going forward in the sort of game we perhaps missed Simper.

[halftimet]

I thought we never really looked like we wanted to win the game at the expense of conceding another. We had a couple of shots in the first half but had to wait until the 88th minute in the second. Defended well but devoid of options going forward.Not a great spectacle for the armchair viewers. Unlike another poster I thought Birmingham were also poor reflected in a very subdued atmosphere in the ground.

[banjo]

Be interesting too see where the money goes from to day, ever on the squad or on the ground, I’m sure they will spend it in the appropriate way⚽️⚽️⚽️

[davef]

I thought we were organised, stuck to our shape and defended well. Kirk is improving every week.
But we couldn’t keep the ball and struggled to create too many openings. Something to build on though and to gain confidence from.

My takeaway from today: I’ve never heard so many away fans come through the turnstiles and say “Nobody’s ever called me sir before and said ‘enjoy the game’ !”

[andycapp]

On Birmingham Twitter a few bad comments about the pitch.

[information]

Attendance: 4,804 (away 1,582).

[Stewart]

Nov 3, 2024 16:41:54 GMT andycapp said:

On Birmingham Twitter a few bad comments about the pitch.

It did seem it needed a trim😉

[davef]

Why would you prepare a pitch to suit the opposition?
If in doubt, please refer to the Test Matches in Multan and Rawalpindi!

[paz]

Nov 3, 2024 15:38:51 GMT brian54 said:

For the third week running the players played as well as they could. It was a shame the head coach could not devise a way where we threw caution to the wind and attacked certainly in the last 20mins

Thing is, you need to get the ball to do that. I think in order for us to peg back what were essentially a championship side with their full strength team selected,  for 10m, we would need a few million quid, as well as a plan. 

[billy]

First time i've watched an entire game on TV since the 2021 UEFA Europa League Final between Manchester United and Villa Real over three years ago.That was rubbish as well.Back to the 5 (or preferably less) minute "highlights" for me.

[Del]

We had opportunities from set pieces but declined the opportunity to load the box. Apart from that we did well.

[paz]

Thought we aquited ourselves very professionally and gave very little away defensively with French and Kirk looking solid, and Waller having a good game. We just could not cope with their midfield and could not hold up the ball enough to allow us sustained attacking play, though we had arguably the best 2 chances of the game. Could have done with Simper being fit so we had more options in midfield, but over all we got a respectable narrow defete against a side who have spent a fortune this season.

[markf]

Nov 3, 2024 16:41:54 GMT andycapp said:

On Birmingham Twitter a few bad comments about the pitch.

Nots that all they moaned about. One bloke lost money after putting a few quid on a thrashing when he saw the City team. They also moaned about the ref but then so could we. He wasn't great. Our two penalty shouts were rather optimistic though.

Some Sutton fans voiced disappointment that we didn't have a go but as someone else has pointed out you need to have the ball to do that. We did create a good chance in each half but couldn't take either. Otherwise this was about keeping shape and working hard off the ball. Ten out of ten on both counts. For such a young side to exhibit such discipline is of great credit to the players and the management team.

Birmingham spent more money in the summer than any other club in L1 history so to only go out to a bit of a scuffed finish ain't too bad. We may not have cut the grass to their liking but then why would we? Home advantage should be exactly that.

A great experience for the Sutton players and hopefully a confidence builder. Charlie Waller had another good game in a back three while Jeremy Sivi had a decent game at left wing back. Jack Sims looked assured throughout. A good team performance considering the level of the opposition.

No new scalp to add to the list but a great pay day for the club. The Birmingham fans seemed to be getting through the lager ok as fresh barrels were needed halfway through the first half, although one has to wonder why travel all that way to spend the match in a queue for a drink?

Rochdale away next. Back to the bread and butter.

[Amber Aleman]

No disgrace losing narrowly to the highest-ranked club in the 1st round. Birmingham offered less than we might have expected, despite bossing possession. So credit to our defence. Jack Sims looked disappointed that their one decisive shot bounced under him for the goal. Would Steve Arnold have done better?

We had two decent chances, Harris in the first half pretty much clean through but shooting wide, Nadesan late on firing into the turf and the ball bouncing over the bar.

There were a couple of debatable refereeing decisions that went against us, their keeper not getting a second yellow for kicking the ball away, Vaz not earning a penalty after being seemingly fouled in the box.

I can't help wondering whether, had Dos been in charge of this Sutton side, they'd have done better.