What an absolutely fantastic performance and win yesterday, Rovers haven’t worked out the art of heading or marking – but we were very good, we deserved to win and to be fair to the Lads they were under mounting pressure to perform. A job very well done.

So our striker bagged 4 goals, that’s the Man of the Match Award settled? You’d have to give it to Charlie I guess, but it’s testament to the performance of McGeady that there’s even a discussion to be had….

There’s no doubting McGeady’s contribution yesterday, bizarrely his best moment didn’t lead to a goal, the turn and through ball for Gooch to almost score was absolutely sublime. Whilst it’s easy to say he should have been playing for the last year, it’s not that simple, I’ve been extremely critical of him in the past….

“Aiden Scotland – From Burgers…”

Just as it’s all primarily about winning games rather than how we play, it doesn’t really matter why McGeady is performing, but it’s been quite a turnaround….

LAST SEASON……

• Back in the days when we were allowed to go to football, we were labouring at 1-1 in the cup at Accrington, Aiden came on waltzed past a few and scored, then set up a 3rd goal to seal the victory. It was clear that he had more in his locker than anyone else at this level

• At Bolton in September as Jacks tenure was coming to an end, he put in a petulant appearance, throwing his arms about, not bothering to cover for Hume who was being destroyed at Full Back, it could definitely be argued he looked as if he either couldn’t be arsed or thought that he was above it all?
• On the way from Gillingham in November, he had a MacDonalds – not really a crime perhaps misguided but not like he killed anyone?
• 3 days later we lose 3-0 to Scunthorpe in the Tinpot Cup, we were piss poor, (although I dipped out at 1-0), but all was not well. Leadbitter is a class act, his post match interview pretty much said, it’s kicked off in the dressing room lately, but we need to stick together etc

• Gillingham again, this time in the cup. A clearly overweight McGeady plays akin to a school kid who won’t pass to anyone, he has circa 6 shots from 25 yards – his performance shows a lack of respect for his team mates, the fans, the management and the badge, (game of opinions as always)

I never got on the Blame Everything on Parkinson Bandwagon, I actually thought he handled McGeady in the only way he could. Let’s remember we had played our best football as a team without him in the starting 11, (notably Burnley and Sheff Utd Away), we also went on a really good run under Parkinson, hugely based on fitness after Aiden was frozen out, we also saw the very best of Maguire, (who clearly could easily have been used as collateral in the situation).

“What’s done is done, what’s passed is passed….. “ Aiden McGeady was absolutely unplayable yesterday, it was the best individual performance by a Sunderland player for years. In a game of opinions, sometimes you’ll be right, sometimes you’ll be wrong – I’d totally written McGeady off as playing a part for us again❌, conversely I’ve been vocally backing Wyke from the start✅.

We are 6th in the league, we are 4 points behind Hull with a game in hand, our ultimate goal remains very attainable, we know the drill….. this league is mad, but our next 7 games see us play the teams currently in 24th, 15th, 11th, 22nd, 18th, 4th & 21st. It’s never straight forward, but based on yesterday’s level of performance, it would be absolutely criminal if we aren’t in the top 2 at the end of this sequence? There’s no reason not to piss the Championship next year either and without getting carried away, we could well be playing Champions League football as soon as 2024 – what’s the point in not getting carried away? That said before we worry about Barcelona we need to keep the momentum going at Burton Albion next Saturday.

Whilst much will be said about the goals yesterday, credit has to go to Lee Burge, not an easy situation and he was only beaten by a fluke goal. Special mention for the taker of their 2nd penalty, I genuinely think it was the worst penalty I’ve ever seen, it was like watching Soccer AM when all the guests tale a penalty and some stoner from a band or Actor who have never kicked a ball before, weakly advances it along the deck towards the goal – a penalty so bad, it was funny.

Much was made of Donny being without their defensive lynchpin, and there’s no way they play like that every week, no way at all. They did have a few chances, it does seem we are to them, what Fleetwood are to us, some teams you just never beat? Rovers fan Adam Emberton has once again written an account of the game from a Rovers Perspective, over to you Adam…..

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Well there has it. Sunderland AFC are officially our bogey team. The common theme continues where I try and convince my friends on Wearside that we really are a decent footballing side and we fail to show any kind of quality once again. Here’s a tale of 11 men who fail to learn their lesson… 4 times.
> 
> FIRST HALF:
> 
> DRFC started the first 5 minutes brightly, breaking forward straight from kick-off but failed to test really test Burge. 
> 
> Anderson out of the back 4 did worry me before kick off, but I thought we would have the capacity to deal with Wyke’s size, clearly I was wrong. We missed Anderson greatly. Doncaster Rovers appeared to have bought tickets for the Wyke and McGeady show and were happy to be spectators.
> 
> 7 mins. McGeady assist. Wyke scores a header.
> 
> 12 mins. McGeady assist. Wyke scores a header.
> 
> Sunderland have moved the ball well, passing in small triangles and McGeadys has quite simply ran the show in midfield. Rovers did not fall short of opportunities and Richards had been given the chance to strike at goal on more than a few occasions, but failed to have that finishing quality in front of goal. SAFC took their opportunities and capitalised. Rovers have been sloppy in possession and have given the ball away far too much. 
> 
> 31 mins. McGeady assist. Wyke scores a header.
> 
> We were saved from complete first half humiliation thanks to a great save from Balcombe after a superb piece of skill from a McGeady who left Gomes standing. McGeady threaded a through ball to Gooch who failed to take his chance in front of goal. Much better second half needed. Damage limitation at this point for Rovers. 
> 
> It looks as though I’ve had a bit of a battle with the copy and paste button in that first half summary. I haven’t. We conceded 3 identical goals. Wyke has been completely dominant in the air and McGeady would give DPD a run for their money, sensational logistics, surely this can’t happen again?

> SECOND HALF:
> 
> Rovers looked shakey straight away in the second half, clearly still hungover from that first 45 mins. SAFC looked intent on continuing to punish rovers and looked hungry for a 4th. Rovers did make minimal breaks forward but failed to make a real impact and Bogle hit another shot wide. 
> After a fumble in the box and an effort from Bogle which resulted in an OG for Burge, Rovers managed to squeeze the ball over the line. 3-1. Maybe a chance to regain some pride?
> 
> Wrong. Rovers seem destined, like a naughty child who fails to understand the consequences of poor behaviour, to continue in making the same mistakes without seeing the bigger picture. 
> 
> 54 mins. Like clockwork. McGeady assist. Wyke scores a header.
> 
> The ref gives Rovers a penalty and no one, including Rob Jones knows why. Handball in the box apparently, no complaints from me. Taylor steps up and fluffs it. There’s our afternoon in a nutshell. Surely it can’t get any worse? 
> 
> The game seem to plateau for a while after the 4th. Rovers are given a second bite of the cherry after the ref points to the spot for the second time this afternoon. Up steps Lokilo, now I don’t like to use crappy internet clichès, but this was a real ‘hold my beer’ moment. Jon Taylor will be the happiest man in South Yorkshire tonight after Lokilo takes the limelight for one of the most pathetic penalties in the club’s history, and everyone forgets about the first. 
> 
> With the greatest respect for Wyke, who’s had a sensational afternoon, Quest could just show the first goal 4 times, all 4 identical. Criminal defending and we failed to learn from our mistakes time and time again. I don’t want to be overly critical of the defence because we have been solid at the back for most of this year, but today we were punished when our guard was let down and Wyke was given far too much space to roam free.
> 
> Under normal circumstances I might’ve found myself back in the Blue Bell at half-time crying into a pint of Moretti after that performance, one thing I can be thankful for is that I don’t have to move my arse off the settee. 
> 
> So there you have it. An OG. 2 missed penalties. 4 identical goals. A very bad day at the office, but we have been spoilt with results for the best part of 2021.

> I notice a clip online after the game of Moore shaking hands with all the SAFC plays and staff in the tunnel, a true touch of class for a man who is one of the best ambassadors for our great club.

> We go again on Wednesday. RTID.