When Plymouth and Watford came here I don’t think they expected to win or even draw but they both got draws against us and expectations. When we go to Leeds we probably feel the same as Plymouth and Watford did coming here. Maybe a draw is a possibility and we seem to have a good record against Leeds recently so a surprise win wouldn’t be out of the question. Let’s face it, if we do get promoted, Leeds would be one of the ‘easiest’ games.
Half day at graft then driving down Cracking day/night down there last season Think we’ll get turned over this season though, they’re the best side in the division. Comfortably too
RLB will play his usual XI (same as Luton except perhaps Mepham for Ballard) and we'll give a good account of ourselves. Maybe even snatch a result.
Will be a tough one, but no reason to think we shouldn't/can't get a win. But wouldn't be disappointed with a point We arguably play better against the good teams than the bad If Rigg has knock I'd like to see mayenda or aleksic in for him. Hope we don't go defensive with Samed. Mayenda/aleksic on the left, with fee left central midfield. Overall a great opportunity to push for a top 2 spot, with the other teams in the group still to play each other
Absolutely snap your hands off for a point here, 2 sides capable of the ridiculous mind so won’t rule out all 3 points, can’t afford a slow start though these are good enough to get into a 2 goal lead quickly if we aren’t on it
Would be typical Sunderland to go there and get a result. I'd be starting with the same team as Wednesday with a possible exception of Browne for Rigg if he is fit. No change in defence as we will still be playing out from the back, so it needs to be either Ballard or Mepham alongside O'Nein. Samed to come on late in the game if we have something to hold onto.
Leeds are absolutely flying at the moment, scoring loads of goals and not conceding. This will be our toughest test of the season and I would absolutely take a point now. I think i'd go with the 442 here, in my opinion we desperately need Mayenda and his pace in the team, especially in a game where we will likely have less than 35% of the ball. We need that pace on the counter. Patterson Hume Mepham Ballard Cirkin Rigg Neil Jobe Le Fee Mayenda Isidor Narrow midfield with pace on the counter. Narrow 2-1 defeat is my guess, Jobe to score.
The amount of people dropping O’Nien? It’s like Mepham has been on top form, which he certainly hasn’t! I’d have the same back 4 this week as Wednesday night personally. O’Nien is a leader and also very good at the ****housery side too, which I don’t think anyone else is. And I think that’ll be needed on Monday. That right winger of theirs gets wound up! Just an opinion, but Mepham has been no better than O’Nien in his last 4 or 5 games, even defensively
as I have said, some people really just dont like him, Im not his no1 fan but appreicate what he has done, recall when I came up for the Coventry game, person behind us was slagging him from before the game the started
Alese, Balard and mepham have all been good alongside o'nein I'd like to see the stats on the different Central defenders partnership we've had this season. Just from gut feeling , O9 and Alese maybe the better pairing ?
Mate on paper Mepham/Ballard is the pairing. But the one constant when either of them has dropped form is o9, he’s a midfielder by trade that’s why he’s confident on the ball and sees the game in front of him better than the other two. Aye he gets caught holding but who doesn’t. Anyway RLB can be trusted whichever way he sees it. It’ll be a great game whatever the scoreline, for once I’m just looking for a great performance the result will be what it is. We will turn up though.
Especially when he is supposedly a Sheffield Utd fan. I don't believe it will affect anything but seems an odd appointment for the match.
