Don`t know about that mate. Been on the bench a few times for PL games so maybe Gus thinks he`s not that far away?
Surely it isn't a question of being ready for the premiership but whether they are better than your alternatives. It's all very good having experience but look at someone like Gardner, a lot of his experience is negative!
Sunderland 3 Carlisle 1 Published: 05 January, 2014 by Stuart Vose Black Cats secure fourth-round spot with home win. Sunderland booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with Budweiser by seeing off a spirited Carlisle outfit on Wearside. Adam Johnson’s stylish free-kick was cancelled out by Matty Robson as the sides went in level at half time. Sean O’Hanlon’s own goal five minutes into the second period saw Sunderland move ahead again before a debut strike from El Hadji Ba in the final minute of normal time wrapped things up. Credit to League One Carlisle, who were backed by a big travelling support and caused the hosts some problems in the first half. But Sunderland didn’t look back following O’Hanlon’s own goal and Ba’s composed finish secured them a home tie against either Peterborough or Kidderminster. Meanwhile Duncan Watmore impressed on his senior debut as a second-half substitute, causing the Carlisle defence plenty of issues and almost grabbing himself a goal. The youngster was included in a first-team squad for the first time as Gus Poyet named a strong side featuring six changes, including the return of Wes Brown at centre-back following a three-match ban. Adam Johnson, Seb Larsson, Andrea Dossena, Craig Gardner and Jozy Altidore also stepped in against a Carlisle side bossed by former Sunderland midfielder Graham Kavanagh. The Black Cats had the better of the early chances, with Gardner twice firing off-target from just outside the box either side of a 17th-minute chance for Altidore. The American was released by a pinpoint through ball from Johnson but was denied by a good block from Carlisle keeper Greg Fleming. After a shaky start, the visitors – backed by more than 5,500 travelling fans – began to find their feet a little. Prince Buaben tested Vito Mannone as the midway point of the first half approached, twisting and turning inside the box before getting away a low shot which the Italian deftly turned around the post at full stretch. But Sunderland were finding plenty of room to get forward and quickly regained the initiative. Gardner was denied by a good save from Fleming and Altidore hooked wide from close range before Larsson’s curling free-kick flashed inches beyond Ji Dong-won’s outstretched boot in prime position. The first goal was always going to be key and Sunderland deservedly got their noses in front just after the half-hour. Gardner was fouled by David Amoo 22 yards out and Johnson’s free-kick was picture-perfect, arcing beyond the Carlisle wall and into the corner of the net beyond Fleming’s despairing dive. Unbowed, Carlisle hit back and almost had an equaliser eight minutes before the break when a deep cross struck the covering Ondrej Celustka and squeezed just wide of the post. And the visitors did level five minutes later. Amoo’s searching cross to the back post was knocked down by Lewis Guy for Robson, who hammered a shot in off the crossbar to the delight of the visiting fans. And so the game was poised at the break, with the sides going in level after Mannone saved James Berrett’s deflected effort just before the half-time whistle. But Sunderland again regained the initiative with a second goal five minutes into the second period. Larsson’s lofted crossfield ball was knocked into the box first time by Johnson, who saw his cross strike O’Hanlon and loop into the far corner beyond a helpless Fleming. Defender O’Hanlon, looking to atone for the own goal, met a free-kick with a header at the other end soon afterwards, but the effort was well off-target. Poyet handed youngster Watmore a debut off the bench just after the hour in place of Ji, while Ki was replaced by Phil Bardsley. And it was almost a dream debut for the youngster, who certainly caught the imagination of the crowd with his driving runs down the flanks and came close shortly after coming on. A neat exchange of passes with Altidore saw the winger stride beyond the Carlisle defence, and he pulled the trigger only for the advancing Fleming to block well. Sunderland were comfortable and continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the possession, with Celustka testing Fleming with a powerful drive from the right-hand edge of the box. Ba joined Watmore in making his competitive debut when he was introduced nine minutes from time as Sunderland looked to close the game out. And the French youngster responded in style with a goal in the final minute of normal time. It was a neat team effort with Johnson and Altidore combining to play in the midfielder, who held off a sliding challenge to slot the ball between Fleming and the post to seal Sunderland’s place in the fourth round. GOALS: Sunderland - Johnson (34) O'Hanlon OG (50), Ba (90) Carlisle - Robson (43) SAFC'S TWEETS Team Sheet Mannone 25 Ki (Bardsley) 4 Gardner 8 Dossena 3 Brown 5 Larsson (Ba) 7 Johnson 11 Celustka 12 Colback 14 Altidore 17 Ji (Watmore) 27 Fleming 20 Ehmer 28 Potts 16 O'Hanlon Yellow 23 Robson 3 Noble (Symington) 8 Buaben 6 Berrett 21 Lawrence (Townsend) 33 Guy (Miller) 29 Amoo 7 Substitutes Fletcher 9 Pickford 13 Borini 31 Bardsley 2 Watmore 41 Giaccherini 23 Ba 22 Meppen-Walter 30 Symington 19 Townsend 2 Miller 9 Beck 17 Brass 22 Chimbonda 39
Dear Sunderland Fans, It’s always difficult because if you don’t score two or three goals you know that at any time the opposition can create a chance. I think Carlisle did very well – credit to them, they really put us under pressure at the end of the first half but the more the game went on and on the power, the strength, the fitness and the quality started to show. Normally teams that come from a lower division will give their all in the first 45-60 minutes so if you are a team that try to control you become very difficult for them. I was expecting to score goals today, luckily we got three so I’m happy to win and get through to the next round. It’s always a nice feeling when you go through and you see the draws and you're waiting for something special and to try and progress. The players that came on from the bench today were refreshing for the team. Duncan [Watmore] started running at people and he lifted the supporters and gave them something different. [El Hadji] Ba took his goal very, very well. We've followed Duncan in the under-21s and we’ve been talking to Kevin Ball a lot. El-Hadji has been getting better, he’s been understanding a few things, of course he’s still young and from a different country so there is plenty for him to learn as well but he’s got the physique, the ability and the technique to be an important player in the future. It’s time to rest now. I hope that the players who gave us a hand today will be ready to play on Tuesday as well. All the best, Gus Poyet
Just got back from the game, pretty good second half performance from most apart from Gardner who was lucky to last 90 mins. Refreshing to see the younguns do ok when they came on. I thought Ba was superb for the 15 mins he played. Duncan looked like a McClean but with two decent feet!
I can't recall a time when I have been so embarrassed to be a Sunderland fan..Our support was a disgrace today, and I'm ashamed to say that..
Three home games in a week after xmas can be forgiven imo, tuesday on the other hand should be a bumper crowd (I take it you are referring to the attendance?)
@SAFCsource Watmore: It was a dream to get out there onto the pitch and in that stadium, I loved every second @SAFCsource Watmore on his chance: I thought I'd just put it in the far corner but he saved it, what can you do? @SAFCsource Watmore: Can't put it into words what it was like having my name chanted in the stadium. It was mental, so appreciative of the fans for that @SAFCsource Watmore: I'm quicker, fitter and my technical side of the game has improved so much, I'm so grateful to everyone in the under 21s. @SAFCsource Watmore: It's so much quicker. A couple of times I didn't get my head up in time and before I knew it there was someone on me
We will be lucky to get 30,000, and that includes the Man u fans..We should try and withdraw from these competitions to save further embarrassment..
21973 with 5600 carlisle fans is not great i admit but i bet that there are not many higher attendances when you look in the morning papers Still cant get my head round 1973 being in it, amazing
@SkySports_Keith Ki may have to play CB against Man United on Tuesday again with defensive trio O'Shea, Roberge and Diakite struggling. Mystery solved. I guess Ki does make sense then with him apparently filling in there for Swansea previously. Worrying for the Man U game though! How did he do in that position?
