Outside90’s Yannick Forde breaks down all the major talking points to come from the latest round of Premier League action.
Boring United hard to watch
With their win against West Brom, Manchester United moved into fourth position a few points off the summit of the Premier League. However, it is hard not to say that it was excruciating to watch them play. Yet again they were too ponderous and indecisive on the ball and shockingly blunt upfront. For all their possession, the team will never take a game by the scruff of the neck and dominate from the outset. Wayne Rooney struggled again, this time in a deeper role while Anthony Martial – who the fans had been crying out to strike for so long was underwhelming in his first start upfront. Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata eventually saved the day, but the feeling persists that this team find it difficult to create clear-cut chances in the final-third and if this continues, it could plague them throughout the season.
Woeful Sunderland is rocking
Perhaps it was no surprise that Sunderland lost again at the weekend. There is a sense of inevitability that the Blackcaps will lose regardless of their opponent and whether they are home or away. Such is the state of the club at the moment and this must be turned around immediately. Not only have Sunderland lost eight of their 12 games but they have conceded a league high 26 times, more than two goals a game. Against Southampton, they ertainly improved from a shambolic 6-2 drubbing from Everton, but mistakes were still there for all to see. Although the defence improved, the fact they conceded only one goal was down to Southampton’s profligacy as much as anything else. For a team that concedes so many, Sam Allardyce’s men are not scoring much and this must be addressed. The fight for survival carries on.
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