Starting XI vs Derby

I'd like to see Maja start, he's been scoring goals in preseason and it'd be a vote of confidence in the lad. I haven't seen loads of him but I don't get the impression he's the type to **** himself if he doesn't score immediately and he might actually be good under a bit of pressure. Just a feeling I've got about him.

 

With Jones. O'Shea and Rodwell in a team, what could possibly go wrong?

 

Our defence looks so poor it's a huge risk playing 4-4-2 for me.

I think until we get settled/improved back line we'll have to sacrifice an attacker for a midfielder

 

2 year deal agreed for Ruiter report coming outa Holland...

 

I need a link or a photo or any shread of hope that he may be signing.

 

I'm pretty desperate for this one to happen.

 

It that Graham Hunter from the Chronicle on Twitter as well as Phil Smith from the Echo

 

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...e-to-sealing-deal-for-robbin-ruiter-1-8680772

 

Steele seems to be getting very little support on here. Loads going for Ruiter who doesn't even play for us!

Saw on Twitter how "supportive" some fans can be too. First goal he tried to pass out and defender ****ed up as much as (more than) keeper. He palmed one back into the box and seemed to get stick fir that too - maybe he should simply let them in in the first place and that saves the defence from trying to work!

 

I'll cheer him at the matches and slate him on here if I think he's **** and while it's obviously too early to say after one game it was a bad debut and my instinct is that he's already struggling with his confidence.

 

What's the point of preseason if you can cement a place in addition to gaining match fitness? Ruiter has come in and won the Start imo fair and square. Same for Maja, Khazri and Lens. 4 stand out players who simply have to start. Everyone else has been fairly average finding their fitness but not really standing out so their places warrant debate but surely not the players who've nailed it?

 

Sorry just read that the deal for Ruiter is nearly done - I thought it was well off which is why I posted that!! I thought people were hoping Steele wouldn't start and that Ruiter signed but, as it's nearly done, I retract my statement!! I'd put Ruiter ahead too in terms of performances I've seen. But I won't write off Steele on one performance (which an awful lot on social media have) - he made a couple of errors - but no more than Pickford did in his last few games for us

 

I won't write anybody

I won't write anybody off mate. Got to take your chance in that position though.

 

I edited my post probably as you were quoting (got to get up early to beat you haven't we?!) I meant that as a written off by others on social media already - that will dent his confidence no end - people who call themselves real fans too - annoys the hell out of me

 

Do you mean that people are directly attacking him on there? That would be out of order. If they just think he looks crap then I agree with them.

 

Steel, Vaughan and one or two others who have so far looked underwhelming, will play a big part in our season, to start undermining them will do no good at all to our prospects. We are in a fix, and need everyone to play a part in building some confidence back into the team, getting off to a good start on Friday would be just the tonic we all need. I will repeat again that the Celtic fixture was a massive own goal, and has set us back just at the wrong time, in consequence I reserve my judgement on those in charge of the club, hoping to see more positive backing for our manager and his coaching staff, who in my opinion currently have one of the toughest jobs in football.

 

if you read my back posts i told you it was nailed on 3 weeks ago

 

Regardless of whether they're still here come the end of the window, all 3 of Kone, Khazri and Lens have to start if they're fit IMO.

 

I agree with this, and can only hope... I would think that we'd have more of a chance with this team.

 

-------------------- Steele ------------------

Jones - Kone - Browning - Galloway

----------- Cattermole -- N'Dong --------
Grabban --------------------------- Khazri

----- McCormack -- Vaughan ---------