Our saving grace for the derby is that we've already played at the SoL, I fancy us to nick a point at home but couldn't see us going and getting anything at your place anymore.
A bloody hard run of games in all honesty. The only game which we have lost when we went in as favourites was West Brom at home, where Pardew got his tactics completely wrong for the first time. The other game where we "dropped points" was Swansea at home, but that was one of our best home performances of the season so noones really complaining about that. We still play some good stuff, but I've noticed in recent weeks that our work rate has also decreased. We were harrying teams a lot more at the start of the season and forcing errors. I think as the season draws on and our lack of squad depth becomes more obvious, tiredness has come into play. I think the players could do with a rest after the busy Christmas schedule, because like you say, I worry that with a couple of injuries we may capitulate!
A number of reasons, Pardew's tactics have been a little off recently - playing a 5"9 RB at CB against the Premier League's most prolific headed goal scorers, playing hoofball against Bolton (aside from 5 minutes where we scored 2) and again against Liverpool, whilst playing a 4,4,1,1 formation that begged for the ball to be brought down and passed! The injury to Stevie Taylor was a massive blow with only 13 goals going in before his injury (in 13 and a half games) and 12 (in 5 n a half) since. As Cabluigi said, our workrate has seemed to have dropped off a little and the crowd are becoming restless with our weaker links (when before it was easy to say, 'give them time' now its a case of 'how much time do they need'?) The line up pretty much picked itself at the start of the season due to injuries and this meant we couldn't mess about with formations or tactics, the lads knew how to play and did it well, where as now, its far less assured and this comes across in our play. I think we've become a little 1 dimensional with the emergence of Ba as our star striker...Too much goes to him initially instead of spreading the play between him and Best - giving defenders more to think about and allowing both strikers to get into the rhythm of the game more. Finally, luck - we seem to have run out...Against Wolves, QPR, Everton and Manure, we were good for and deserved our points, but certainly got lucky with a few decisions, the same certainly cannot be said for the last few games!
I think you are spot on in the second paragraph. Our extreme workrate which did so well for us early in the season has taken its toll on our midfielders in particular. Cabaye and Tiote have been looking knackered in recent games. I think to maintain those tactics over a season we need more quality CM's and a willingness to rotate them a bit.
In my opinion, looking at the last 8 games: Man City, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool. No points expected, 3 of those games away from home. Swansea: Got a point, should have been 3, purely down to bad luck on the day. West Brom: We were absolutely horrible, Pardew got his tactics all wrong by playing a high line against two pacey forwards, and we lost despite Demba Ba's best efforts to get us something on his own. Norwich: A back 4 of four right backs, versus Grant Holt and Steve Morison. Every goal came from a header which tells it's own story. Having said all that, I just hope the side haven't forgotten how to win (hopefully shown by the solid performance V bolton) and we can regain some early season form with less injuries/suspensions and an easier run of fixtures.
Yep and I think our good run at the start of the season became a great one because Ba suddenly started firing instead of Best, while Guthrie came in and filled Tiotes boots, keeping our team relatively fresh. Injuries now mean we don't have that option anymore!
I think the pressure will be on you big time at home to be honest. We will come without the Bruce baggage and with a manager with a whole new ball game to his repetoir. Also, to be fair, we have a far better record at your place than we do at home anyway and we are due another 2-1 I feel. Lol PS - are you feeling the heat for that quote of mine really biting you a new ****-chute yet mate? Lol I have to be absolutely honest, even I as MoN biggest fan couldn't have envisaged such an incredible turnaround inside 5 weeks. 4 wins and a draw from 6 games. I dont think oit will last forever but the gap of 15 points is now 6 and closing and we are scoring goals from all over the pitch at the minute. Ba's and Tiote's departure in the next week or so is going to hurt you over the next 5 or 6 weeks for sure and by the time they return for the Derby, there may not be any gap at all to protect? MoN has removed the pressure form us and with 24 points now in 20 games, we are enjoying our football again. The MoN effect has got to have you a little concerned about the derby game though hasn't it?
I also doubt there will be a gap to speak of, and I can see us neck and neck, with you going above us, and us going back above you for the rest of the season. I remember on the old 606 it was you and a few others talking about the fact that Bruce was a great manager, Bent and Gyan would get a handful of goals at SJP and that basically we didn't have a prayer and the rest is history. My point being that I'm not worried about the derby, as form and quality of manager/players always goes completely out the window. This is why you would never catch me saying "we'll win this one" because I don't want to make a fool of myself. Even if we got to March with Bruce still in charge and Sunderland bottom of the table with 9 points or whatever he amassed, I still wouldn't be looking forward to the derby!
Did we watch the same highlights?! I was at wrk so just had the text commentary on my phone which sounded like Wigan played well in the 1st half (but we still had a few good chances) and we took over 2nd half and consistently looked dangerous going forward. However judging by what I saw on sky last night all they showed was about 5clips of us (obv scoring 4) and the rest was all showing Wigan in good situations. Could just be sky manipulating the game however either way chuffed with the result, goals and also the fans (looked like we had a whole endcompared to the odd Wigan fan dotted about ). Plus on the mag issue from what ive seen recently I agree they've been canny in acknowledging our improvement and in their analysis of our games, the odd exception or two to the rule but in general spot on.
For what it's work I think by the time of the next derby the gap will still be around six points... I think both clubs have a good chance of 8 points from the intervening games.
I use Mirc and idle in a few football related channels In one there's a stereotypical geordie, not really interested in newcastle but completely infatuated with Sunderland. Never has nothing to say about Newcastle games or results. But constantly obsessing over us, giving commentaries of our games and highlighting all the negatives. Hes been getting really desperate recently trying to discredit us and Mon, but failing miserably. Only before the City game he was telling every 1 Sunderland are relegation fodder, wile Newcastle are title contenders. He has also been trying to decide which players Newcastle should sign for their Champions League campaign. Van De Vart is a must. He didn't have a single thing to say about game last night, until during early hours when he piped up with 5-1, never seen a mackem in Milan.
Imo it largely comes down to: 1). Form at the time 2). Injuries 3). New buys in the January window I have faith that having 90% of our first choice players would give us a strong enough team to nullify you and potentially win the game, but some injuries in key places (like one of our centre backs) would be a huge blow. Losing Cabaye, or Coloccini, for example, would be a real killer. I think much in the same way that you guys losing someone like Sessegnon would be a big blow, because from what I've seen, he's behind a lot of your attacks at the moment. I'm just not saying a word until it's closer to the time, because the situation could be very different for either side.
