Robin Roefs’ cheeky antics – Three things you may have missed in Sunderland vs Aston Villa
Sunderland secured another point at home to Aston Villa, though the game had far more than just that.
Sunderland are sitting pretty in eighth after five games, having picked up eight points so far this season.
Wilson Isidor was the hero again for Sunderland, scoring the goal to maintain the Black Cats’ unbeaten home run with a draw against the Villans.
However, while there was plenty that entered the headlines from the Stadium of Light clash, Mackem News picked up on three things that may not have received as much attention.
Robin Roefs’ time-wasting antics vs Aston Villa
Robin Roefs was in the spotlight again for Sunderland this weekend, but not for the right reasons against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
The Dutchman will have been frustrated not to save Matty Cash’s effort in the second half, though he did also make several other saves and interventions that played a huge role.
One of those interventions was when the ball was not in play, with the Sunderland keeper going around his penalty area to tell the ball-boys to slow it down when it came to retrieving balls.
On the occasions they paid little attention to him, he would slyly kick the ball away, but nowhere near enough to be penalised for it.
Small things like this can really help to take the sting out of the game, and with Sunderland down to ten men at that point, it was needed.
- Read more: Ally McCoist agrees with Jeff Stelling after what Robin Roefs did in Sunderland draw vs Aston Villa
Morgan Rogers jeered by his own supporters
When Sunderland got promoted back to the Premier League, you could immediately see the difference in quality, and last season, Morgan Rogers was one of those you would have highlighted as a danger man.
However, his performances for the Villans this season have left a lot to be desired, as showcased by the reaction he got from the travelling support.
Very rarely does Unai Emery substitute Rogers, but on Sunday, he did, and his withdrawal was met with very loud jeers from the away end.
Rogers was furious with Trai Hume for a challenge in the game. Maybe he should have been focusing more on his own frailties at the Stadium of Light.
Granit Xhaka won interesting coin toss vs Aston Villa
Granit Xhaka won the coin toss at the Stadium of Light, which ultimately saw him decide which end Sunderland would attack first.
That seems like a non-story, until you realise that Sunderland have only scored at the Roker End this season, and, in fact, have failed to score in front of the North Stand since March.
It seems to be a conscious decision made by the Black Cats to shoot towards the Roker End in the second half of games, and for good reason.
As for those in the North Stand this season, they have witnessed every opposition goal right in front of them.
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