No Burstow, even on the bench? I think we will win this, and its the 2 buzzers who will help us do it. By buzzers, I mean the lads who buzz about between midfield and attack, Dack and Ptitchard. I am wondering if Dack will be rested/benched for this one and play against Blackburn as he would probably like to show them something. The reason I mentioned the 2 buzzers is that they have a huge weakness on through balls, I expect these lads will pick their passes, if selected. 2-0 to the lads
Pembele will give us more Flexibility. It will be harsh on Himir but he'll get plenty of opportunities in the weeks ahead.
I've just watched the Boro - QPR game and neither team were too impressive tbh. Boro had half a dozen easy chances but the finishing was dreadful, not the world class performance, from Begovic, I'd heard about. Cirkin will be a key player as almost everything, from QPR, came down that side. Both QPR goals were shots from unchallenged players and they only had three on target. Above all I noticed QPR press quite high and scrap in midfield. But that leaves their shaky back line open to breaks and balls down the channels, the reason their keeper was so busy. Our front players will look at that game and be thinking they should be scoring on Saturday. If Boro hadn't sold their scorer I think they'd have won the game.
This is their first home game this season so difficult to know how they will set up, I hope they do press high, we can then rip them a new one
Pembele isn't ready they were saying on radio yesterday - coming back from a long lay off and will need a bit more training apparently.
I can't imagine a scenario where we don't start one of our 4 strikers - I know we just smashed Southampton, but surely we play a striker now we have some viable options? I think Pembele will/should play some u23 games before we see him in the 1st team. Same for Aouchiche
They've already played Ipswich at home in the league and Norwich at home in the cup (lost both games 0-1)
Same team as Southampton is a must, you’d be mental to change a team that’s just beaten a promotion favourite 5-0. Early goal to make them come out and play would be nice, looking forward to seeing Rusyn anarl think he’ll come off the bench. Looked sharp in training. 0-2 the lads.
Great thread as always appreciate it, I think we’ll start one of our forwards in this one I also think Ba deserves another start,going for 1-3 to the lads would like Hemir to break his duck.enjoy and safe travels to all heading down think it’ll be a good one
Hard to change a winning team though, depends how the players have trained but would be harsh to drop jobe or dack for one of the strikers. The great thing is we are going to have great options off the bench If we were playing at home id be more tempted to change it n start a striker but away from home you dont need one to start - i think burstow n rusyn will both be used off the bench
Thanks to RTB I have a ticket but would appreciate any spares that crop up. They've only given us 3000 and I reckon we'd have sold 5000 ... ... thanks to anyone in advance.
I have not had the chance to really think about our new lads. Pembele signing has really blown me away. I cant think of a better player signed anywhere in the championship this season. That said, he has to earn his place in the squad, then the team. There are some very good players who wont even make the bench this season.
We are far too strong for these. I’m happy they are ‘better than expected’ as I mentioned in Smugs ramble was my first ever away game and as such I’ve always had a soft spot. I had them rock bottom pre season. We’ve got too much quality in midfield for them. They will hit us hard and make it physical, we have shown we don’t run from that anymore. I’d love another clean sheet but I’m saying 3-1 the lads. Hemir to score the 3rd off the bench and get himself going. Ha’waaaaaaaaay
https://x.com/sunderlandafc/status/1702278110790426895?s=46&t=lGmS7t3fhKmjcaf4pF4tQw No Pembele for a few weeks. Not a bad thing to just ease him back in
Hate predicting results because i feel personally responsible if the opposite happens, if we turn up and play our game we are good enough to have another good afternoon here
Thanks again RTB for a super summary, good to have meaningful football back on the agenda, and an unchanged team will do for me.
I think he was suggesting the last place on the bench would be either Pembele or Hemir....we're expecting Hume to be starting. However, it seems Pembele needs a couple of weeks to get up to speed,so it may be that Hemir gets the place. In his place,though,could be another of the newcomers in Aouchiche,who I've not seen mentioned much.He's a midfield player,but it may be he's not ready either.
