Looking forward to this, Browne back is a huge boost, rather save him for Leeds but a massive lift having him back, a calm head in the dressing room, excited to see isidor in the flesh, haway the wizards
In my mind this is a must win. Not just because of the three points, more as its Derby who aren't that good. They have lots of spirit and energy but have average players and a poor defence. That doesn't mean we'll win, we were better than Watford and lost. I understand people's wish for us to 'get on the front foot early' and keep it up through the match. It sounds great but, in reality, every opposition team will have a period when they have the ball and try to score. Even if they've come to 'park the bus', at some point they'll attack. It's how we manage those attacks that count as much as getting on the front foot, pressing, etc. I think this is what RLB is alluding to in his interviews. I'm looking forward to seeing how Isidor reacts to a big night under the lights. Personally I think he's a big occasion player who's come to Sunderland for games like this. I'll be surprised if he doesn't score ... ... something I rarely say on a home debut. Ha'way the Lads ... 3-0 with three different scorers and another clean sheet!!!
Fairly sure all of them would be regular starters for our opposition. They're good players, we will need to rotate and I'm not suggesting that they all start at once.
Their careers to this point suggest they're potentially top-class players, this is why they were identified by the club and brought in.
They aren't as good as the players in the team There's a reason Aouchihe and Ba have failed to get in the squad ahead of Harrison Jones, Tommuy Watson, Ben Crompton and Trey Ogunsuyi
Jury is out on him, let's wait and see what he looks like after a few games. As for Ba, Aouchiche and Hjelde - let's hope we don't see them in a Sunderland shirt again....
Firstly, I'm talking about rotation, which is a completely normal part of modern football, it's beneficial to share minutes between the squad, keeping players happy and integrated and it also keeps them fit and ready in the case of injuries and suspensions. You can say our best XI are the ones starting the most recent games, but you also have to acknowledge they cannot play every single minute. Just curious if you think Harrison Jones is a better player than Adil Aouchiche? Given their previous clubs, career trajectory etc ?
Love how Hjelde is being written off by some, hes only 20 and came in to a shocking situation last season. Mundle was written off by some last season n now looks class Players need time to settle
He's past it then!! He has talent, def needs to improve a lot to ever be a regular for us but he does have the potential
TBF it's rare that anyone shines in U21 type of games. I used to go to reserve games and even our best players, coming back from injuries, would look half the player they were. I think Poveda would do well but he's unlikely to get a run of games ... ... same goes for Hjelde, Watson, etc.
Players are written off all the time, same people were probably slagging off Mayenda this time last year. People need to realise these players being called **** are under the age of 23, all it takes is one year of development and they suddenly look like a different player (Mundle & Mayenda)
Agree, Ballard looked ****ing ****e when he played in the 21s post injury earlier this season, I never look at that, also to me poveda has looked promising in the first team when he gets on he just hasn't had the right minutes yet and needs to get to his peak fitness
Yeh agree saw Rigg for the 21s and thought what’s all the fuss about so let’s be patient and see how things go