NUFC v SAFC Head to Head Battles

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I Sit Next To A Badger-Leazes Corner

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Jan 25, 2011
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Cramlington, Newcastle
What's everyone's views on the following head to heads?

I am basing Sunderland's starting line up on Bardsley being injured and from what I have seen on here with Sunderland fans predicting their line up, and most saying they didn't want O'Shea at right back.

Who will be the winners?

Gardner v Gutierrez - Gardner gets stuck in but Gutierrez is quick on the ball, and with the back up of Santon going forward, its going to be a decent battle. Garnder to win it first half, Gutierrez second.

O'Shea v Demba Ba - As good as I think O'Shea is, I think Demba will win this battle.

Turner v Cisse - Cisse is just getting into it. I'd prefer Shola to play in this one but I think he will go with Cisse. He gets stuck in, and looks good when combining with Demba. Turner just needs to stand strong and not dive in I think, could be an interesting one with Turner keeping him quiet.

Bridge v Raylor - Raylor battles well and is good when in space, he will be playing a more defensive role though, Bridge to win this one,

Tiote v Colback - Tiote is good at keeping players quiet, I think he will be too good for Colback.

Cabaye v Cattermole - Two players who love a challenge, Cabaye is better technically but Cattermole is good at being in the right place to cut things off. Even match up.

Simpson v McClean - Gulp. Don't rate Simpson at all, will need all the help of Raylor to deal with him. McClean to rip him to spreads.

Larsson v Santon - Santon is brilliant going forward, Larsson won't stop him. Defensively he is good and is getting better but he must stop crosses. Santon to win that one.

Coloccini v Sessegnon - Colo has good positional sense, and never dives into a tackle. He stands players up and is smart when reading the next move. Sess has really good skill and pace. Evens.

Williamson v Campbell - Uh oh, Williamson to get murdered. He will have to drop deap or Campbell will kill him. Campbell win.

Overall, it's going to be close. Had we won on Saturday I wold have taken a point but for the sake of our season we need to win this one. Sunderland need to bounce back after 2 straight league defeats. We struggle with pace when playing a high line. Pardew has to drop them off a bit and don't leave us open to the counter attack, which is Sunderland's main threat.*

Sold Out crowd, with 2500 mackems making the trip whilst supplying our owner with more money by bringing Sports Direct merchandise, that'll teach us!

If you can't be bothered to do all heads to heads, don't, just highlight the key battles and who is likely to win the game. It's a boring day today, just passing the time.
 
Pretty fair, generally marra.

Sess and Colo evens though?

Problem is, that while I see where your coming from, Colo can play a blinder for 90 mins, get done once, and it's a goal.

For Colo to be 'evens' he needs to be magnificent/flawless.

Campbell and McLean are my tips for this game, you guys will rightly fear Sess, and that will create space for the other 2.

You're right back is vital, and if that's Simpson, i'll be delighted.

(the smart move would be to move Santon to RB to handle McLean, and Guitirrez to LB to close down Larsson preventing delivery, but i'm not Pardew, thank ****..)

I fear Ba, I think O'Shea will marshall him in the air, but Ba will torment him on the deck, and I admit my concerns at right back if Bardo doesn't make it.

I wouldn't play Tina in this one, his lack of pace could be our undoing, even though he's a smashing tackler.
 
A decent summary.

We will probably play Richardson at LB rather than bridge.

My worry (from a SAFC point of view) would be Turner against Cisse. I think you are being too fair on Turner in your assessment.
 
Apone said:
A decent summary.

We will probably play Richardson at LB rather than bridge.

My worry (from a SAFC point of view) would be Turner against Cisse. I think you are being too fair on Turner in your assessment.
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Seems the fact that we are the first 2 SAFC to comment, and have both suggested Turner as an issue, says a lot....
 
Jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii injury time..

But your summary is ok..........
 
I think the Sunderland back four will be in for a long day at the office if I am being honest, I also think that Sunderland will need to score 2 goals to get anything out of this game as I see us scoring at least 2 on the day, just my opinion no need to string me up for it.
 
I Sit Next To A Badger-Leazes Corner said:
Is he your Mike Williamson? Slow, wins headers but goes straight back to the opposition?
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Pretty much mate.

He's never been quite right for me since the injury, previously his distribution was crap, but his defensive work was outstanding.

Now it's still solid, but no more, he seems to have lost a hint of his bravery, his biggest trait.

Ironically, the injury came after he charged back to clear a shot of the line and twatted the post, it was that bravery and determination that ultimately has affected him as a player.

Still worthy of his place mind, but he's one i'd be looking to replace.
 
DUMFRIESGEORDIE said:
I think the Sunderland back four will be in for a long day at the office if I am being honest, I also think that Sunderland will need to score 2 goals to get anything out of this game as I see us scoring at least 2 on the day, just my opinion no need to string me up for it.
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Who asked yey like!

Just kidding, we'll score 8.
 
Think the two teams will be as follows
Newcastle team will be Krul, Simpson, Santon, Colo, Willo, Raylor, Tiote, Cabaye, Raylor, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa/Cisse and Ba.
Sunderland team will be Westwood/Mig, Bardsley/O'Shea, Bridge, Greek lad, Turner/O'Shea, Cattermole, Gardner, Larsson, McClean, Sess and Campbell.

Simpson v McClean- McClean
Larsson v Santon- Could go either way both players are capable of really good games and really bad games. Probably have to say Larsson.
Sess v Colo- Two key players for both teams at their end of the pitch, Sunderland best attacking threat against Newcastle's best defender. Sess needs one moment of class to create something- Colo though.
Campbell v Willo- Campbell in better form, not convinced he should be in the England squad though- Campbell
Tiote v Cattermole- Both players get stuck in, though IMO Tiote is the better player and was one of our better players against Wolves, well apart from conceding a silly free kick for their equaliser. Tiote
Cabaye v Gardner- Ability wise Cabaye, form wise Gardner, Cabaye hasn't had a good game since we beat Man Utd, Gardner's January form was brilliant, don't know what he's done since the Norwich game though. Cabaye to come good.
Raylor v Bridge- Raylor not out and out right winger, Bridge not the player he was 5 years ago, set piece could decide this battle- Too close to call.
Gutierrez v Bardsley/O'Shea- O'Shea done better for Sunderland than I expected, Gutierrez inconsistent as fully proven on Saturday where he was brilliant in the first half and couldn't control a football at all in the 2nd. Tough to call
Ben Arfa/Cisse v O'Shea/ Turner- Depends who plays though would prefer our two lads. Probably the Newcastle player.
Ba v Greek lad- Never been convinced by him since I saw him once in an old firm game, Ba 16 goals in 18 games, though hasn't scored in his last two. Can see him scoring. Ba.

On the analysis of that the game will be close, Newcastle to edge it though.
 
If MON plays Bridge on the left I'd hope Pards would play Obertan on our right, Bridge's spell at West Ham showed us he can't handle pace anymore. Ober will skin him all day long.
 
I'm just glad we have Ba and Cisse. It's arguably one of the strongest striker partnerships in the league, and having looked back through Sunderland's games, it could be the toughest strike force you've faced since O'Neill took over if you look at your toughest games:

Arsenal: Ba & Cisse > RVP
Chelsea: Ba & Cisse >>>> Torres
Man City: Ba & Cisse > Dzeko (for the first 45 mins until Aguero came on at least)
Spurs: Ba & Cisse > Adebayor

I know there are obviously other players involved in these teams which are better than anyone we have, but in terms of up-front punching power, our duo may be MoN's toughest test yet defensively, especially in the loud atmospheric derby at SJP.
 
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