Match Day Thread Harrogate Town v Sunderland – Saturday 24th July 2021 - KO 15:00

Here's how James Hunter rated the players today.

ANTHONY PATTERSON 6
Made one stop from Pattison, was otherwise rarely troubled
CARL WINCHESTER 7
A solid performance at right-back, capped with a neat finish for Sunderland's third goal
TOM FLANAGAN 7
Looked secure in central defence
CALLUM DOYLE 7
Another good display from the on-loan Man City defender
DAN NEIL 6
Played out of position at left-back, and gave the ball away a few times but improved in the second half
ELLIOT EMBLETON 8
Both his goals came via deflections, but his all-round play was excellent
CORRY EVANS 7
Composed and assured in the middle of the park
LUKE O'NIEN 6
Eased his way back from injury, in what was his first pre-season outing
AIDEN O'BRIEN 7
Lively up front and provided the assist for Winchester's goal
ROSS STEWART 8
Pace, power, and mobility caused Harrogate problems. Should have scored at least one goal, too
JACK DIAMOND 8
His skills and trickery were too much for Harrogate at times, on his return to the club where he spent time on loan
SUBS
LEE BURGE 6
For Patterson 46mins. Not many saves to make, but did what he had to do
WILL GRIGG 6
For O'Brien 60mins. Started the move that led to the fourth goal
OLLIE YOUNGER 6
For Doyle 60mins. Did well in central defence
SAM WILDING 6
For Evans 60mins. Worked hard in midfield
BENJI KIMPIOKA 6
For Stewart 60mins. Put a shift in up front
ELLIS TAYLOR 6
For Embleton 60mins. Deflected cross brought the fourth goal
KENTON RICHARDSON 7
For Flanagan 70mins. Played right-back and kept his man under control
TYRESE DYCE 6
For Winchester 70mins. Did OK
JOSH HAWKES
For Diamond 81mins. Little time to make an impact

 

ANTHONY PATTERSON 6
Made one stop from Pattison, was otherwise rarely troubled


CARL WINCHESTER 7
A solid performance at right-back, capped with a neat finish for Sunderland's third goal

TOM FLANAGAN 7
Looked secure in central defence

CALLUM DOYLE 7
Another good display from the on-loan Man City defender

DAN NEIL 6
Played out of position at left-back, and gave the ball away a few times but improved in the second half

ELLIOT EMBLETON 8
Both his goals came via deflections, but his all-round play was excellent

CORRY EVANS 7
Composed and assured in the middle of the park

LUKE O'NIEN 6
Eased his way back from injury, in what was his first pre-season outing

AIDEN O'BRIEN 7
Lively up front and provided the assist for Winchester's goal

ROSS STEWART 8
Pace, power, and mobility caused Harrogate problems. Should have scored at least one goal, too
JACK DIAMOND 8
His skills and trickery were too much for Harrogate at times, on his return to the club where he spent time on loan

SUBS

LEE BURGE 6
For Patterson 46mins. Not many saves to make, but did what he had to do

WILL GRIGG 6
For O'Brien 60mins. Started the move that led to the fourth goal

OLLIE YOUNGER 6
For Doyle 60mins. Did well in central defence

SAM WILDING 6
For Evans 60mins. Worked hard in midfield

 

Johnson delighted with Neil’s performance at LB.

 

I thought he was spot on today, played really well. Also good to hear he obviously isn't going to be a LB.

 

Thought Neil has a decent outing at left back but showed some really good touches and awareness when he moved back into midfield. Would really like him to shine this season

 

Agreed but it’s also great that he’s an option there if we’re massively pushed due to injuries/suspensions later on in the season.

That’s weird for me to say considering I’ve banged on about O’Nien filling in at CB - but it is nice to have the options.

 

Embleton goals took a deflection, fair enough, but if he did not shoot those deflections would not have happened. Shooting from midfield is something that has been lacking from our MF

 

Defenders like Johnny Evans play in the Premier, not the third division

 

Dan Neil is my idea of a central midfielder. I am a big fan. I hope he gets plenty of game time this season for us because I think he will play premier league football in time.

 

Hopefully not 'too much' of an option though. 4 fullbacks and we will be a different squad imo. Get Winchester, Neil as midfield options, no worries about Gooch or Diamond 'filling in'.

 

Embleton and Diamond are ready. We can probably switch transfer focus now if we were looking to replace them.

 

Diamond was ready for a loan the year before he went to Harrogate but the way the younguns were 'managed' was poor. They both should have 30+ league games more under their belts by now. And on a side note, Benji should have been loaned out 2 years ago as well.

 

This isn't a dig but would anyone say they've noticed any disharmony between the players and manager/coaches?

Last season it all seemed a bit tetchy but it's better now without Wyke, Power, Maguire & Jones.

Those four clearly ignored the game plan at times and decided they knew best, cost us promotion imo.

We need a real captain, that the players respect, and, if we make the right choice, this squad will be promoted.

I'm sure we'll sign a striker because those we have aren't quite oven-ready and Grigg has passed his 'eat by date'.

If we have a team that plays away from our final third and a settled defence Burge will prove to be a decent keeper.

Two or three more players, plus the good ones staying, and we'll be promoted.

 

I think if Wright stays he will be LJ's choice. Not my choice but then I wouldnt know who to give it to.

 

Think it will be McGeady

 

I thought it was telling that O'Nien got the captaincy on his first have and wouldn't be surprised if it was a condition of him staying. I know there weren't that many candidates - Flanagan it maybe Diamond on his return. I suppose we'll find out in due course