http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...derland-boss-considers-bardo-gamble-1-5042670 -------------- MARTIN OâNeill admits he faces a difficult decision over Phil Bardsleyâs fitness ahead of the Wear-Tyne derby. The former Player of the Season has not kicked a ball in anger this season after injuring an ankle in the very first week of pre-season. But for the last few weeks he has been back in full training and with a couple of warm-up games under his belt could potentially come into contention. The dilemma though is obvious. A fully-fit Bardsley would be automatic first choice at right-back and if the Scottish international was available it would allow Craig Gardner to finally get into the central midfield role he prefers and from which he could cause most damage. But it would still represent a bold gamble to throw Bardsley back into the first team in the most emotive and livewire fixture of the season. OâNeill told the Echo: âIf it was three weeks from now, it simply wouldnât be an issue. âBy that stage we know Phil would be ready â heâs been training with the first team for the last couple of weeks, heâs had warm-up games with no reaction and heâs going in the right direction. âWe know how good a player he is and how competitive, but itâs something we have to look at closely and it is a difficult one.â Certainly OâNeill knows how beneficial it would be to have Gardner â one of Sunderlandâs best and most consistent performers this season â further upfield. âCraig is a goalscoring midfielder and thereâs not too many around in the modern game,â he told the Echo. âHeâs always capable of getting you a goal because heâs got a great shot on him, he knows where the goal is and heâll shoot if he gets a chance. âObviously his goalscoring chances are limited at right-back and weâre keen to get him into central midfield as soon as we can but heâs also done a great job for us this season at right-back. âAnd if we need him there this weekend, then at least we know we can rely on him there.â OâNeill plans to make his selection decision late this weekend. He said: âWeâve got a number of issues to consider â Danny Rose has had a difficult week, Adam Johnson has come back later than expected but most important of all, weâve had a week very much disrupted by the international fixtures. âThe good news is that everyone appears to have come back in reasonable shape but the downside is weâve had very little chance to train as a squad or to work on things. âFor that reason itâs a case of these few training sessions being very important to see how everyone is, where theyâre at and whatâs the best way forward for this Sundayâs game.â ------------------------------------- My opinion - Fully fit he'd play every week - but with no pre-season OR season so no footy for over 3 months I'm not sure!!
Not for me, too big a game to come back into. He'll be lacking match sharpness and that leads to badly timed challenges etc and we don't need that in a derby. I would have him on the bench though
I'd have him straight back in. The most committed player at the club & the only man to come out of the 5-1 roasting with any credit at all.
my sentiments exactly. I don't know why he ain't captain to be honest. Not as mental as Catts and more verve than O'Shea.
The only reason I can think of Nordic is the fella doesn't want to be captain. He's my favourite player at the club by a mile. Always gives 100% & that's all we can ask. It's just a pity a few more aren't like him.
Darren Bent scored?? Sorry!! I'm going to stay on the fence with Bardo - I absolutely love watching the guy play for us - bleeds red & white blood now as well and has more ability than is given credit for by some people! If he's up to it then play him
Yes from me. Want Gardners experience and goals in midfield. Dont want any of their midfielders to start dictating the game. Larrson, Gardner, Colback (probably) and Johnson across the midfield for me. Bardsley can quite happily make mistimed tackles whether he is fully fit or not
Remember that you'll be up against Ben Arfa and Santon on the wings. Make the decision wisely. Santon has superb pace, good skill and has been our best player so far really. Ben Arfa... well, you don't need any info on him. Our main concern in our central defence vs Sess and Fletch.
And you think Gardener has pace? Hello? Bardsley is no Lindford Christie but he aint no slouch either and defensively, he is far, far better than Craig too. Gardenere is a fill in RB. Bardo is the real deal and also a born winner and leader. Ben Arfa's pace is a concern for every EPL team but does blow hot and cold and lets see how Santon fancies AJ or Larsson running in behind him if he is focused on attacking. I dont rate Santon as a defender but he is very effective and skillful going forward. If Sess, Johnson, Larsson and Fletcher all hit form together, then I'll be happy we will both compete and get something positive from the game. They all havent done so thus far though. Our defence with Mignolet, Bardsley, JOS, Cuellar and Rose will be solid and composed.
I'm not saying you shouldn't pick Bardsley, I'm saying make wise decisions. When Santon first came here, his defending was questionable, but the lad was only 21 and from a different country. However, he's had a year, and he's been solid defensively and good attacking wise since the start of the season. AJ may be quick, but Santon is quick enough to keep up with him. The difference in pace wouldn't even be noticeable.
Bardo doesn't need to be quick as his positional play is good and his timing in the tackle is excellent. That said, personally, I would not consider him half fit against one of the leagues best wingers, it's a recipe for disaster, potentially.
Get him in and hope he doesn't get crocked he's the best we have for RB so should be playing there if he is fit that is.
I'd go 4-5-1 Mig Bardo brown o'shea rose Johnson larsson gardner colback sess Fletch Subs : cuellar bramble mclean saha meyler westwood
No brainer for me, if even 75% fit then he plays, if he breaks down or prove a weak link then replace him with Gardner, who i'd start in midfeild.
I think the game could be decided on how Colo and Saylor return. Colo returned for one game this season, after injury, and he was totally off the pace. If both Colo and Saylor perform, and we perform half decent, I fancy us to win, but I'm not gonna hope for anything. It wouldn't be surprising if Sess and Fletcher have a blinder and Mclean and Johnson hit form.
Hate to say it Tash but the game will be won and lost in midfield, you have the better midfield, if Catts were playing i'd have put money on us but he's not. Colback and Larsson are no match for |Tiote and co.
