Yes I think thats how I see this week, a week of reflection on last weekend and anticipation about the coming week, all that calm stops next Sunday. We take on Boro in the cup then straight on to Norwich to take 3 more points, well, thats the plan. Yes a win against Norwich will probably see us in 8th place but first things first, Boro. Everything says its a game we will win easy, on a good run, confidence high and Prem against Championship, makes you wonder why ITV have decided to show it live? Boro will be in a should we should we not mode, promotion must be their top priority but the local derby will give them that extra motivation, to take them for granted would be a very big mistake and I'm sure MON wont fall into that trap. First question for me, what team will MON go for, best available or rest some and give others their chance? With Bendy out will he stick with 4-4-1-1 or go 4-4-2? Will Campbell be on the bentch? I think I would give Mclean a rest, go 4-4-2 and go for... WESTWOOD BARDSLEY..O'SHEA..BROWN..RICHARDSON LARSSON..CATTERMOLE..GARDNER..SESS WICKHAM..JI So now I have said that, we know the team it wont be.
Strongest team possible - relegation doesn't seem to be an issue any more, throw everything at them if the game is won early make some subs? Think we can win this one, boro on a poor run and have injury worries apparently.
I think I have found the problem, my bets. Didnt have one on Saturday and we won, message there I think.
Yeovil Town 1, Sunderland 0 Sunderland 0, Notts. County 2. We're not alone. Newcastle have had their Herefords, Arsenal have had their Wrexhams - the list goes on and on. And does anyone remember The Special One standing on the touch line at the Bridge shaking the hand of every Scunthorpe player as they came off the pitch. Scunny had scared the life out of him! It's the FA Cup, the most magical tournament on earth, and we shouldn't under-estimate ANYBODY.
Does anybody mind if I add a bit of trivia here just for fun? In 1905, the mighty Sunderland were drawn at home to a team from the Southern League. Easy-peasy? - huh. They beat us, and then went on to win the FA Cup - the last time a non-league team ever won it. They were elected to the Football League soon afterwards. They called themselves Tottenham Hotspur!
Wickham and Campbell up front. Sessegnon as the 3rd striker/playmaker/free role Larsson, Gardener & Cattermole behind them. 4 3 3 and batter them from the start.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! (Atleast the rest of you seem calm.)
I honestly think with Norwich on Wednesday MON may start Sess on the bench and play Wickham/Ji up front depending on Bendtner's injury.
Same team with Wickham up front. Only rest anyone who phsically needs it. Winning is a habit and we want to keep that habit going.
seem to remember someone tipping you on a 2 - 0 result Saturday. could be wrong. like the idea of battering Boro from the start. 4 3 3 might work nicely.
I know what your thinking about keeping a winning team but the first team looked a little jaded on Saturday and surely we have a squad deep enough to beat Boro, because if we dont then we should be selling these players and replacing. I think Gardner for Vaughan, Ji for Sess and Kilgallon for McClean.....move Richardson to left wing and O'Shea to left back. I think all 3 players deserve a game after their help over the last 8 games and we should still beat Boro.