I'd definitely be starting Matete and Clarke. Both looked lively on Sat. Rumours that Wright was fit but simply left out mean he has to come in for Doyle. I'd give Hume a run out too and possibly rest Embleton and Neil FWIW Hoffman Hume Bathh Wright Cirkin Dajaku Winchester Matete Clarke Pritchard Stewart Subs: Doyle, Neil, Roberts, Defoe, Embleton, Evans, Xhemajli
I am listening to this god awful show and Marko asked a caller what he thought about the sacking of LJ and Pridey cut the caller off before he could answer. Just reading messages they agree with now.
Team news Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor will once again be taking interim charge of the team for Tuesday’s game. The duo are not expected to have any fresh injury concerns, with Jermain Defoe, Jay Matete and Jack Clarke all gaining important minutes after featuring as substitutes on Saturday. Fellow January recruits Patrick Roberts and Trai Hume could also be considered. Opposition Despite one of Sunderland’s best performances of the season so far coming in the shape of September’s 5-0 rout over Tuesday’s opponents, Cheltenham have more than held their own at times their first season back in the third tier, at one stage in November sitting in the top half of the division. However, a run of 12 games in all competitions without a win has seen Michael Duff’s men drop to 17th in the league, their last success coming in November against Gillingham. The Robins have drawn five of their last six as they look to go one better and end the winless run.
Cheers once again RTB, great work. I would be going with your first team. Let’s see what Speakman, Dodds & Proctor have learned / come up with…… eeek.
Great thread RTB again. Hard to know how tomorrow will go. I thought the players would bounce back Saturday but they didnt. Arguably not helped by the selection. I cant see a similar team tomorrow. I am sure Matete will play, we need much more energy in the middle. I am sure Clarke will play too. Our left hand side looked hopeless on Saturday and something needs to be done there. Neil and Embleton to come out. Hard to judge Defoe on Saturday, he is probably rusty to say the least. However there is an argument the players need some kind of spark, and certainly some leadership. I would be tempted to try and get the first half out of him. Hoffman Winchester, Batth, Doyle, Cirkin Matete, Evans, Pritchard Clarke, Defoe, Stewart A 433. When we are in possession and on top Pritchard can go in behind the front three. Might seem odd to play him there but I think he is good out of possession, makes a nuisance of himself and disrupts. I just think we will be more solid in a 433. Dujaku for Defoe at half time.
Gut feeling the top two will drop points tonight ( wishful thinking know),going 0-2 Stewart & Pritchard.
The coaches are completely out of their depth, spineless, indecisive and can’t manage a game that was obvious on Saturday. They also seemed fearful of dropping anyone reading Dodds comments on how difficult it was to leave Xjemaji out of the squad. I suspect the reason they even made the 1 change is because they saw it as a more difficult conversation with the experienced Pritchard than Dajaku as a young player. It’s down to the players tonight to pull together, simplify things, win some tackles, out work Cheltenham and get the 3 points by hook or crook despite whatever jargon filled bull Speakman, Dodds and Proctor are coming out with. Hopefully Defoe, Pritchard, Baath, Winchester and Evans can take the lead on the pitch, motivate the rest of the team and deliver.
The only change I'd make to your line up @RTB, is I'd play only one holding midfielder. He can then drop in between the centre backs to let the full backs push on. It'll be Evans that has to do that but I'm still not convinced we've got the right player for that role in the squad.
Correct, the players can't use 'Data excuses' to absolve them of putting in the effort and doing the basics.
Just been offered a seat in a box with food etc at Derby tonight, or do I stay home and watch the stream. Dont think I will get away with eating and drinking then getting the stream of our match on in the box
I cant make a prediction, I honestly cant see us winning, we are in a mess. I am always optimistic and would never back against us but after Saturday I have no faith in them making the amount of changes required to get a reaction out of the squad. I really cant believe we are sat here without a manager still. I pray for a result and hope they prove me wrong.
