If it was full strength...

Anyone any the wiser what our strongest team is?

Obviously Sess in any conbination of players, but after that....so many choices...


Squad strength is the key, but what is the pick of the first eleven?






MARTIN O’Neill has welcomed the resumption of competition for places in Sunderland’s ranks after almost two months of threadbare options.

Skipper Lee Cattermole is in contention to face Arsenal in tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth round clash after a two-week hamstring injury lay-off.

The 23-year-old’s return presents Sunderland boss O’Neill with a dilemma over the make-up of his midfield, with Jack Colback and Craig Gardner forming an effective partnership in Cattermole’s absence.

But O’Neill is not begrudging any difficult selection decisions, with a string of injuries since the turn of the year largely forcing his hand over Sunderland’s starting XI.

O’Neill told the Echo: “Jack and Craig have done excellently. We’ll have to look at it and see what we do tomorrow.

“But it’s pleasing considering where we were against Manchester City on New Year’s Day when we had nine players out.

“Now we’ve got a few coming back and a bit of competition for places. As I’ve often said, it’s as healthy a thing as you want.

“Lee played splendidly before he was injured, but the two lads have done excellently in there as well so we’ll see what we do. It’s really good news because you didn’t feel as if the injuries were going to end.”

Cattermole is not the only sidelined player on the road to recovery.

Centre-half Matt Kilgallon has enjoyed a week of training after recovering from ankle damage, while David Vaughan is closing in on a comeback after a similar injury.

Meanwhile, on-loan Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is able to play with a mask protecting his broken nose, although the Dane is ineligible to feature against his parent club tomorrow.

“Lee Cattermole’s done some training this week,” added O’Neill.

“David Vaughan is improving by the day and Matt Kilgallon did a wee bit last week and has had a full week this week.

“Bendtner’s done some as well after being fitted with the mask, but he can’t play against Arsenal anyway.”

O’Neill is unlikely to make many changes even if Cattermole is included, with Sunderland suffering only a second defeat in 12 outings in last weekend’s Premier League clash with the Gunners.

But counterpart Arsene Wenger is expected to make at least two enforced changes from last Saturday’s 2-1 success at the Stadium of Light, with centre-halves Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny both unlikely to feature through injury.

Wenger could also wield the axe after Wednesday’s Champions League rout against AC Milan, with O’Neill expecting 18-year-old winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to start.

“I’m not sure what Arsenal will do,” said O’Neill. “My own view is that the young lad Oxlade-Chamberlain will probably play.

“But Koscielny looks like he might be out and Mertesacker will definitely be out.

“So they might have to make a few changes, but they’re well capable of doing that.”

 

Looking at the title I thought you were on about 20 Capstans.

 

but do we know if gordon is fit and up and running and ready

 

No idea mate....seems the forgotten man.....sure someone must know something.

 

i sore Gordon about 4 weeks ago v Blackburn reserves. same old same old rooted to his line in last min. as Blackburn sscore in 92nd min from 4 yards out. Header from center of goal. Followed by waving of hands blaming everyone else.

 

I honestly dont think there is a strongest 11, and that stands us in very good good stead if we qualify for Europe this season or next. There might be a few key players, but even then...

In Centre Mid, I would say Meyler/Colback/Catts should partner Vaughan/Gardner however Catts partnered with Colback or Meyler would not work as well.

Westwood/Gordon would just edge Mignolet out of the GK position - but only just. no idea who to pick between West and Gord.

Back 4? O'Shea has to be in if fit, he has been excellent at CB (**** at RB though). Brown/Kilgallon ahead of Turner -but only just (though we might be judging Kilgallon too quickly). Not sure where Bramble would fit in if he stays and is not sent to prison.
Bardsley has to be 1st choice RB, even if he isnt gifted with a lot of pace. he makes up for it in commitment and his positioning and awareness are getting better and better.
LB? Ricco for me, though he is also good backup for Mcclean on the LW. Bridge/Colback as backup for Ricco at LB (unless Bridge regains the form he had before moving to ManC)

Mcclean LW, Larsson RW (Campbell, Sess and Elmo as back up to Larsson, Ricco and Colback as back up to Mcclean)

Strikers? Campbell, Bendtner for now until Wickham and Ji get more experience/confidence. Sess to play behind the striker, with Ricco as backup.

 

Gordon

Bardo-O'Shea-Turner-Bridge

Larson-Catts-Gardner_McClean

Sess

Campbell

Bench

westwood
Rich
Brown
Colback
Vaughan
Bendy
Wickham

That still leaves the like of Ji, Killa, Bramble, Meyler out ofthe match day squad!

 

Not too much wrong with that Washy cept I'd have Westy in for Gordon.

 

What about the man mountain (Greek) we signed on loan until the end of the season?

 

Westwood, Bardo, O shea, Bridge, Turner, Sess, Larsson, Catts, Mclean, Campbell, Whickham.
subs Gordon, the new Greek player, Colback, Ricko, Vaughn, Brown, Gardner.

 

turner? no! too unpredictable for me i'm afraid. Brown and O'shea for CB, with Killa as back-up

 

Brown for Turner (or Kilgallon, depending on who is fittest), I doubt Bendtner is on the bench - I'd have Meyler and Ji there, other than the fact the Marty will stick with Mignolet, that team ought to trouble Arsenal

 

I thinking of the best team with all players fit not the team for tomorrow

 

Time for Catts to come of age. Power us thru tomorrow AND score a goal.

Highly unlikely the goal bit but you never know.