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It doesn’t feel like two minutes since we were at Wembley celebrating the win in the playoff final but still, it’s nice to be back, isn’t it?
Our annual jaunt to South Shields happened to fall right on one of the most beautiful days of the summer so far, and as the Lads strode out onto the pitch in their quality new blue away strip, I couldn’t help but thank the lord for giving me back my Sunderland Saturdays.
This isn’t a ‘down’ but it’s just a shame that Gateshead’s shitty pitch stopped us from getting two first team games in one day — I would’ve loved nothing more than to watch another ninety minutes of Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
### **Ahmed Abdullahi has arrived**
After signing the big Nigerian striker last year, it’s taken until now for us to get a proper glimpse of him in first team action, and I have to say that I liked what I saw and I want to see more.
He was signed with an injury that took considerable time for him to recover from, but he’s finally back fit and in the fold, and it should make for a very interesting summer as we see him rotated out and alongside our other strikers — all of whom will want to be the one leading the line against West Ham on the opening day of the season.
I know we shouldn’t get carried away when it comes to pre-season games, especially the very first one, but it was against South Shields last summer when Eliezer Mayenda got an opportunity and took it, so there’s no reason why Abdullahi can’t do the same.
Let’s keep him fit and firing and, who knows, he could end up being the surprise package of our pre-season campaign.
### **Nectar in defence**
Having heard all the rave reviews about Triantis’ performances up in Scotland as a box-to-box midfielder, I can’t help but admit I was a little bit gutted to see him playing at centre half again.
I know it’s ‘needs must’ and we haven’t got many fit central defenders, but I hope he does get a proper chance over in Portugal to show what he can do in the middle.
### **It should have been more!**
I know that this seems like such an odd thing to gripe about when you’ve won 4-0, but I actually think we should’ve scored three or four more, and that we missed some pretty straightforward chances.
Performances don’t really mean a lot at the start of pre-season, so I get that it’s not actually an issue, but I reckon there’ll be one or two disappointed lads in that dressing room who might think they should’ve taken more of their chances — chances that could’ve helped them to shine at a time when we have a huge squad and catching the manager’s eye is a must.
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**Jack Howe-Gingell says…**
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### **Habib Diarra impresses**
Whilst it was against considerably weaker opposition than he’ll be expected to step up to, Diarra put in a good showing and demonstrated what he’s about straight away.
A fantastic presser off the ball, he always presented for it from the back four, and he even chalked up an assist after a box-to-box run to win the ball and a patient, measured pass for Romaine Mundle to slot home.
It’s very early but I think he’ll be special for us, and bonus points for me as I saw him at Seaham Hall on Wednesday evening, and could already tell he’s a player!
### **Ahmed Abdullahi catches the eye**
A lot of the focus has rightly been on our new signings but I think a word on Abdullahi is justified.
We know the impact Eliezer Mayenda made last season as a young forward cutting his teeth, and you have to wonder whether Abdullahi will have a similar impact.
He looked very assured as the lone striker, with a cool finish to nicely round things off. He didn’t look out of place and I’m sure across a full Premier League season, his pace and power could prove useful — particular if we also use Mayenda as a pseudo-winger from time to time.
### **A lack of defenders**
It was wonderful to see Niall Huggins playing and I hope he’s over his injury issues, as there’s a real player there.
That said, despite the signing of Reinildo, we have four defenders out injured and don’t appear to be making much ground on acquiring others at present.
It feels like we at least need another centre back and right back to give us adequate cover as well as some extra quality. I’m sure the club are on it, but it was an obvious shortcoming yesterday.
### **The goalkeeping conundrum**
It’s clear that we’re pursuing a new first choice goalkeeper after reported attempted deals for Marcin Bulka and Djordje Petrović, as well as recent links to Aaron Ramsdale.
None of us will forget Anthony Patterson’s heroics in the playoff final, and I think all of us also agree that we need to strengthen in this area.
He wasn’t overly poor but appeared to lack a bit of concentration which almost led to a goal conceded from a South Shields free kick.
If we go into the season with him as number one, he’ll get my full backing, but I feel the jump to the Premier League will need an injection of quality and although it was an almost trivial flashpoint in the match, that moment reminded me of it yet again.