No fella, John O'Shea is our captain now and expect Bridcutt to become vice captain. Totally wrong fella. We'll always pick up plenty of bookings because we tend to press high, close down and try to win the ball back quickly. He's come into a club that completely lacked discipline but he's working on it. He can't control the players decisions when they're on the pitch. The red cards have been down to the players not Poyet. One of his first priorities was to sort Catts discipline out and it show, given that he's only seen 3 cards all season (1R 2Y). That is incredible for Catts. Besides, Southampton have picked up more yellows(44) than we have(38) so our 'dirty style' can't be that bad can it? If a team was dirty surely it would show in the yellow card tally wouldn't it? Typically Stoke take that honour with 57 yellows.
Yet you have more Yellows than us. I don't need an excuse or reason, to say we're dirty is completely flawed.
It's OK, we don't all go baa, on here. I don't think Sunderland are any dirtier in their play than anyone else.
My beef isn't with Sunderland never has been and a card count isn't representative; eg, we pick loads of cards up for just catching someone, and you won't hear people call us dirty or niggly I have t seen lots of you and you will see more so I respect your comments. My view of Poyet at Brighton where I saw more and of the odd time I have seen you is that it is the little South American style stuff he seems to take with him. The time wasting, the harassing, the whinging, etc is what I meant. He knows how to get the most out of a team and make them difficult to beat, which I begrugedly say makes him a decent manager; I just don't like him and he makes my skin it h when I see him interviewed on the television.
See I've caused a misconception; it was his general being and approach that gets me. When he first went there a d I had this discussion with a Sunderland fan, he told me he saw want I meant within a few games. I don't mean they are a bunch of "foulers"
Must admit I have changed my opinion of Poyet . When I see him interviewed now he seems happier , and a lot of my prejudice comes from his Brighton days. At the end of the day he is doing the business for Sunderland and that's all that matters from their point of view . Still hope we stuff them today though.
I looked at the Betfair implied odds (as always) and I have to say that I'm suprised. Very surprised. 28% Sunderland win 43% Southampton win 29% draw It may be normal supporter pessimism but I really don't have us as having a 43% chance of winning. This is a team we just seem unable to beat. Perhaps the money knows something I don't. Vin
Thats the thing about Poyet. When he does a considered interview he always comes across as educated and thoughtful. Its only during games and at those immediate post-match interviews when he appears as a complete t****r.
Oh, and while I'm talking about Betfair, Fonte is available at 49/1 for first goalscorer. I wonder how many times he's done that over the past season or two? Vin [edit] Three. Fulham home last year, Arsenal home this year and Hull away the other night.
Yes, he's rather Jekyll & Hyde, but then most will say that's just passion and a "Latin temperament". Like a milder Di Canio I guess. MP seems to have his under control mind. I absolutely get what FLT is saying. Along with West Sam this is the game I most want to win this season - but let's be honest, it probably has less to do with Poyet and a slightly niggly team (though the unfortunate injuries to Dejan and Gaston haven't helped) and more to do with the historical inability of some of their posters on here to have a civil discussion. It's all pantomime villain stuff, but it keeps the interest ticking over at least. EDIT: To date for this game everyone has been great on this board though.
Forecast about match time is light rain but not strong winds. Fingers crossed...probably good we are playing at lunchtime.
Hope the players don't put too much pressure on themselves and start dreaming of Wembley. It's clear from our u21 game that we're likely to be playing a near full strength team. If that report of the Sunderland is true then it's the absence of Mannone which is more welcome than Johnson. He has been a very solid goalkeeper for Sunderland Whilst we only drew the league fixtures we had the better of both matches and I would be disappointed if we didn't dominate this match again, but this time be a little more clinical and switched on at the back.
Sunderland fans who do you rate higher Mannone or Westwood?.....Hoping Westwood wins his place back when he comes back from injury as he will probably be Ireland's number one in the foreseeable future
Cropper, Gazza & Kelv as the 3 GKs who travelled. Sam McQueen on the bench, but Harry Reed misses out injured.
