Now again not an easy game and one where a draw would be a good result, that said I find myself looking for a win every game these days, this O'Neill chappy does that to you. With Norwich playing Man U a win could well take us up to 8th but a draw would not be a disaster, but what team? After the heroics of last weekend I can see same again, that said MON is always likely to change things if he thinks its needed and with our injured players coming back one by one we are getting to an exciting time, options, a thing not seen of late. For me it will be the same starting 11 with a strong bench to use if required, I'm expecting another cracker from the boys in red and white. BTW, with Everton not playing and our goal diff, we cant go below 9th, how good is that.
Don't know the stats but we seem to be getting a lot less injuries these days, is it because we are playing with confidence, or even playing in our natural positions, could it be training methods ? Just a thought.
I would like us to be positive on Saturday and maybe revert back to playing Frazier Campbell up front to give us more options, I guess this would mean Cattermole or Colback dropping to the bench - I think Craig Gardner deserves a longer run on recent performances and as the most attacking midfield option. I saw the sense of Sess on his own against Arsenal but at WBA I think we need to be that bit more positive. So this team for me... Mignolet, Bardsley, O'Shea, Turner, Richardson, Larsson, Cattermole, Gardner, McLean, Sess, Campbell
I know they now have shorter harder training sessions and that John Henry the fitness fella has reorganised a lot of things. Would be far from unhappy with that team
This is what Id go for too. West Brom have been woeful at home this season so MON will be going their with 3 points in mind.
harsh on Colback who has been excellent, but Gardner and Cattermole will probably start with Campbell and Sess up front. otherwise, same team as vs Arsenal We really need to qualify for Europe for we can give all a players a fair crack of the whip. Vaughan, Meyler and Colback (to name just a few) would all benefit from us qualifying for Europe if/when we have a fully fit squad.I cant believe how much confidence I have in our squad that I say we need to qualify for Europe, and not that I want us to qualify for Europe - who would have thought it? I'd still say concentrate on the league next season on the one after even if we do get into europe, as we wouldnt want to do a Fulham - but I reckon our squad is just about good enough to cope when all players are available.
Up until a couple of weeks ago, only Man. U had more first team squad players out than us. I think we had 9 out at the time. Beginning to get players back gradually. According to the site below, we're down to 7. http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
I also agree that it is harsh on Colbeck but i think i would go with that, I was probably as annoyed as most with the team on Sat Sess up front A midfield of catts Colbeck Gardner that will never work ffs whats O'neil thinking about, But i bit my tongue and said maybe thats why O'Neil is a manager and im stuck in a factory, and boy what a game the 3 of them had. I will be at West Brom on Sat and it won,t be easy after there win against Wolves
It definitely would be a tough choice to leave Colbeck on the bench on Saturday, but as someone else mentioned isn't it great to see the options that MON has starting to increase, if we had to play either Colbeck or Meyler as back up to Catts I wouldn't be worried. Funny what you said about the team when it was announced on Saturday before the Arsenal match, I thought the same thing and groaned when it was announced, but MON was spot on and totally out thought Wenger - just such great times to be a Sunderland fan at the moment I guess
As well as Sess has done up top by himself. I personally thought we were crying out for a focal point after 60mins ion Saturday so would go with 2 up Campbell beyond Sess. Also WBA are AWFUL at home so think we should get at em.
Oops sorry Steve could have just gone this as opposed to my rambling, total agreement from me mate but in MON we trust.
Well Syd I was proved wrong last Saturday, but against WB I am not sure we need to have two defensive midfielders, Jack and Catts. So I would drop one of them and bring on Mr Campbell and have Sess play behind him. Also I am not so if the not so quick on the pitch but speedy in his Porsche Dane is back in training as he could be an option also.
