Phil Bardsley is looking to end a testing season on a high as Sunderland prepare to grace the Capital One Cup final. The Scotland international began the campaign in footballing limbo, with former Black Cats boss Paolo Di Canio making it clear that he had no future on Wearside. Bardsley was, however, laid low in pre-season by injury and saw out the summer transfer window in the North East. Di Canio's exit in September offered him a clean slate, with incoming coach Gus Poyet prepared to offer the full-back a route back into the first team fold. Bardsley admits to having experienced a mixed bag of emotions in 2013/14, but hopes he will get to experience the highest of highs at Wembley on Sunday. Ahead of their meeting with Manchester City, the 28-year-old defender told the Sunderland Echo: "It has been quite a time. "But things have picked up for me and for the club and after a bad start we have a great opportunity to end the season really well. "I'd love it to end on a high note in both the cup and the league, and that's what I'll be trying to do." Bardsley, who has seen Sunderland slip back into the Premier League drop zone, added: "It has been a strange time and it is ironic that if I hadn't broken my foot last summer then I probably wouldn't be here. "But what I'm after now is a great end of the season and we've got some great games coming up to hopefully enjoy. "We're all buzzing about the cup final and we're all determined to give a really good account of ourselves, to give a performance that everyone can be proud of. "But beyond that, we're also very much aware of the importance of cementing our place in the Premier League. "We've come a long way but we're not there yet and now we have to give it one final push to make sure the campaign ends well. "Everybody just needs to give everything between now and the end of the season."
I've heard so many different reasons/facts, one way or the other, so can anyone definitively tell me - yes or no - if we win, are we in the Europe League? Personally, without more quality signings, an extra god knows how many games all over Europe, an even earlier start to the season, I'm not sure I'd want us in it. Don't mean to sound negative by any means, its just that lots of the "smaller" clubs who get into it seem to struggle in the PL, and we're aren't exactly flying in it before this potential new pressure of more games - assuming we'd stay up that is. I also wonder how Wigan would have done trying to get back up without having these games all over Europe. Just one more thing, I'm already losing sleep coz of nerves about Sunday and I really hope every mackem has an awesome day at Wembley - kudos to every one from all over the world who've managed to get tickets, but... at the same time I just want to get past it and on with saving our PL status. Totally torn in two! Enjoy Wembley day everyone - it wont come around for quite a while, well, until May anyway
[1]Clubs hoping to take part in the Champions or Europa Leagues must balance their football-related expenditure over a three-year period [2]This is the first season that counts towards the 2013/14 assessment but clubs will be allowed to make a loss of 45m euros (£37.5m) over the three years falling to 30m euros from 2015/16 [3]It is not until 2018 that clubs have to bring their annual losses below £8.8m [4]The ultimate sanction for any club that fails to comply with the FFP criteria is a ban from European competition We're sweet.
Cheers mate, well that's good. I hope you lot win this weekend I prefer a team to qualify for Europe though winning cups rather than finishing 7th in the league, hey it might even mean we don't get European football next season if you win, the way we're playing!
Cheers fella. Europe was the last thing on my mind until your query. I'll sharp forget about it. Priority one Win the league cup and finally complete our domestic honours, priority two, Make it to the FA Cup Semi's, Priority 3, mind back on the league. In other words, as the cliché goes, one game at a time.
Because I thought the winner of the FA cup went into that not the League Cup. Or is my memory **** and early onset dementia is kicking in?
Winners of both cups go to Europe fella. Sometimes the FA Cup runners up can get into Europe if the winner has qualified for the champions league. Runners up of the League Cup Can't qualify for Europe so if we're to get there this Sunday then we have to beat them.
Trivia When Sunderland last played in a League Cup final, only FIVE of the current playing squad had been born (Andrea Dossena, Wes Brown, John O'Shea, Keiren Westwood and Carlos Cuellar) Sunderland's defence will have to go some to stop Manchester City. Sunderland's leading goalscorer, Adam Johnson, has seven Premier League goals. That total is bettered or equaled by four Manchester City players. Johnson's team-high total of three assists is also bettered or equaled by no fewer than nine City players. There is cause for optimism though. It's been five games since City scored more than twice in a game. In League Cup clashes between the two sides Sunderland are actually unbeaten. Okay, so it's only two games (one win, one draw) but it's something to hold on to. In their last eight Premier League meetings Sunderland have won four, drawn two and lost two against Manchester City. The aggregate score of those eight games would however be 12-8 to Manchester City. The two teams last met on neutral ground in the summer in the Barclays Asia Trophy. The score that day was 1-0, with Edin Dzeko grabbing the only goal after nine minutes. Manchester City have scored 45 goals from open play this season. Sunderland have scored 26 from all situations this season. The Capital One Cup final this season will be broadcast in 175 territories around the world. This will be only Sunderland's second appearance in the League Cup final. The other ending in a 1-0 defeat to Norwich City in 1985. Manchester City have won the competition twice in three appearances in the League Cup final, with the most recent being in 1976. Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko are the competition's joint top scorers with six goals each. Referee Martin Atkinson has officiated two Sunderland games this season. The 3-1 home defeat to Arsenal and the 0-0 draw with Norwich City, also at the Stadium Of Light. Atkinson has only overseen one Manchester City fixture this season, their 6-3 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. This will be the first time in League Cup finals that two South American managers have met. Season Stats Statistic Sunderland Manchester City Yellow Cards 39 49 Red Cards 6 0 Pass Success 78% 86% Average Possession 45% 58% Aerial Duels Won 45% 53% Tackles Per Game (Average) 19 20 Fouls Per Game (Average) 12 9 Short Passes Per Game (Average) 332 505 Long Passes Per Game (Average) 65 55 Crosses Per Game (Average) 20 24 Shots From Left Side Of Pitch 22% 15% Shots From Right Side Of Pitch 19% 14% Shots From Middle Of Pitch 58% 71% Shots From Outside Area 53% 33% Shots From Inside 18-Yard Box 41% 60% Shots From Inside 6-Yard Box 6% 7% Offsides Per Game (Average) 2 2 Shots Taken Per Game (Average) 12 18 Shots Conceded Per Game (Average) 17 10 Goals From Open Play 11 45 Goals From Set-Pieces 8 14 Goals From Penalties 4 3 Goals On Counter Attack 3 3 Own Goals For 0 4 Fouls Per Game (Average) 12 9 Interceptions Per Game (Average) 10 12 Most Goals (Premier League) Adam Johnson (7) Sergio Aguero (15) Most Assists (Premier League) Adam Johnson (3) David Silva (7) Most Key Passes (Premier League) Adam Johnson (32) David Silva (67) So there you have it. Arm yourself to the maximum with stats and trivia to bore your friends to death with down the pub/on the bus to Wembley! 
I'm getting beside mesell me, starting to lose bladder control and stuff Random farts escaping and that, my 4 passengers are gonna be in for a real treat come saturday morning
Gus Poyet snarled that he only knew one definite starter ahead of the Capital One Cup final showdown this Sunday after a shocking performance away to Arsenal on Saturday. Maybe it was an over-reaction? Maybe it was done to show the players that no one is safe if they play in the same manner again under his guidance? Maybe the fringe players could be brought in to surprise Manchester City at Wembley… if so, this could be Emanuele Giaccherini’s big moment in a Sunderland shirt this season. The only positive to come from Sunderland’s 4-1 drubbing was the introduction of the pint-sized Italian international at the Emirates. Sure, there was hardly much to talk about as we remain third bottom in the league, but Giaccherini does have the potential to shock teams and he could be crucial in how we play against Pellegrini’s superstars. He was calm in possession, offered a threat going forward and – most importantly – scored a very good goal on the half-volley to remind Poyet that he has hopes to be involved in the League Cup final showcase event. The 28-year old has scored four goals in total this season, which may not sound like he is prolific but in a team that finds goals hard to come by this is still the second best league tally in our squad. He was our best performer in the brief spell under Paolo Di Canio and even Poyet himself has admitted he wants to include Giaccherini more often. However, he doesn’t suit his system at times. Maybe Gus will change the shape for Sunday to confuse Man City and see if the Italian midfielder can continue his recent run of good form to get Sunderland their first trophy since the famous 1973 victory over Leeds. With time running out for Jozy Altidore, he could be the player who makes way for Giaccherini to cause problems for the City back four. Fabio Borini is capable of playing up front with Adam Johnson and Emanuele supporting him from the wings and then if the game remains close or even goes to extra time we can then look to bring on Jozy for strength and to hold the ball up and win free kicks. I just feel that with Larsson looking to do anything to be included he has not done as much as Giaccherini in the past few games to warrant a place in the cup final starting XI. Poyet should reward players who are in form rather than players who go to the media to beg for a shirt against City. All of Sunderland will be behind the manager’s team selection on Sunday afternoon but maybe if a few risks are taken and quality is brought in from the off we can make it a day to remember for the rest of our lives as a supporter of the red and white army. Dare to dream…
Well for me we need to play our best players regardless of positions and its this: Mannone Bardo JOS Brown Alonso AJ Catts Colback Ki Giacc Borini Fletcher on the bench for if we need a goal. I have this crazy feeling Scocco is going to be on the bench, will come on, score the winner and be an instant Sunderland legend.
You know I am going to have to put a bet on it now I have posted it. Just booked my hotel, going to have a mad weekend, I have to drive to Gloucester tomorrow, Falmouth in Cornwall Friday then Liverpool Sat, then home Sat night via Coventry. Have some sleep then get up early and drive to London. My poor car is going to be racking up the milage.
GUS POYET is fretting over the final two places in his cup final side after already deciding the bulk of Sunderland’s starting XI to face Manchester City on Sunday. Poyet claimed after last weekend’s 4-1 rout at Arsenal that he had ripped up his plans for Wembley, following a lacklustre display from Sunderland against City’s title rivals. But, after a period of reflection, Poyet has now cemented in his mind the majority of those players who will be handed a starting spot for the Capital One Cup final. The Sunderland boss says a couple of places are still up for grabs though and they will depend on what he sees from his players on the training ground this week. Poyet told the Echo: “I don’t know the team yet. I would say I know nine who will play, although I’m not going to tell (Manchester City manager, Manuel) Pellegrini! “I’ve got eight or nine that I know will play, but there are still a couple of things that will depend on what I see this week. “It depends how well they do the basics. We need to do the right things all the time and that means every day in training. “If someone is going through a bad time or bad form, then I’m not going to take any risks in the final. “You need to look for special players in special positions, and that’s why it’s not that clear. “We don’t have that (Cristiano) Ronaldo or (Lionel) Messi that you’re going to play whatever. “But I’ve got an idea of how I want to start the game, and then the rest will depend on the players.” The striker role is Poyet’s chief selection dilemma, with Jozy Altidore netting just once in the Premier League this season, Steven Fletcher on his way back from an Achilles injury, Nacho Scocco short on match sharpness and Fabio Borini proving to be a success on the left flank. Poyet is giving nothing away over who will lead the line at Wembley, but he does admit it’s a vital decision for him during the next 72 hours. “I think the striker is a very important position,” added Poyet. “I always say that when you’ve got an organised team and you’re fit enough, if you’ve got an outstanding goalkeeper and striker, you’ve got a great chance to get into the top 10. “That’s the same in any league in the world. “We’ve got better in terms of organisation, understanding the game and playing a certain way. Vito (Mannone) has been great too. “But last week I challenged the strikers to make the difference. “They are having chances and it’s up to them to take them. “We’ll see. It’s a very, very important position – more than anyone thinks – and I need to make the right decision.” * Football Echo Cup Final Special on sale now!
Gus Poyet has confirmed that form man Emanuele Giaccherini will be part of his re-modelled Capital One Cup Final strikeforce – and dropped a strong hint that the Italy forward is in line for a surprise start at Wembley. Sunderland head coach Poyet is ready to make major changes to his forward line after growing frustrated with his shot-shy attack and is considering throwing Steven Fletcher – who returned to full training on Monday – back into the mix. But it is the potential presence of Giaccherini, who Poyet feels has finally adapted to the demands of his system, that really piques interest ahead of such a big game. “He has got more opportunities for many, many reasons,” he said. “The first is because he has played at the highest level with Italy so he can cope with the emotions and because he’s been pushing more lately. “He knows a little bit more what we need from him and where I think he should be playing. I know where he wants to play as well so there’s a little bit more of a clear picture. He’s got a big chance. I’m sure that either starting or playing, he will be part of the final. It would have to be really strange not to be part of it.” Although Poyet threatened to rip up his team-sheet in the aftermath of Saturday’s thumping defeat at Arsenal, realistically there are few positions that are available in midfield or defence. Up front it is a different story with the form of Jozy Altidore making him particularly vulnerable. Poyet could throw Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini a curve ball by including Ignacio Scocco or Fletcher, who has timed his return perfectly for the Wembley build-up. He said: “Fletcher’s good, he’s trained two days and he’s available. Fletch is available – what a time for him to come back, no? Fletch and Aguero – the two are available, it’s no difference. “I will see how they all are this week because it’s a long week when you play Sunday. If there’s any problems it will be at the end of the week.” Poyet will have to disappoint several of his loyal squad men on Sunday with Altidore and Santiago Vergini set to drop out of the team that started at the Emirates last weekend. The Sunderland boss accepted that his selection call will be one of the hardest of his career and will inevitably leave some of his players hugely frustrated. In a bid to temper their disappointment he will be taking the whole first-team squad to London today as Sunderland start their preparations for the League Cup final in earnest. Poyet will delay naming his team until Saturday lunchtime but feels that the players will probably have worked out who is playing by then because of the routines he is working through in training. He said: “It’s going to be an interesting selection, and there are going to be a few players who are going to be very frustrated on Sunday. But that’s why you have a squad. If you want to have a chance at any level, you need to have 23, 24, 25 players, which means that six or seven are going to miss out. “When you have got everybody fit apart from Westy, who has a long-term injury, and one cup-tied player, Liam Bridcutt, it’s going to be tough. “It’s a part that I don’t like in football because they have all done something to get in there. They have played a part in the games or they have trained every day to make the team better and more or less everybody deserves to be part of it. “But it’s not possible, so we are taking everybody down, we will go all together so. We are going to have the experience all together, and then we will see.” Poyet – who loaned Connor Wickham (pictured below) to Leeds United yesterday – says there are still places to play for in his cup final line-up. Having seen a reaction from his stars to their walloping in North London, he expects them to be ready both mentally and physically for the challenge by the time Sunday rolls around. “Well, we have got better things and we have got a few decisions still to make and there are a few players still fighting for their places. “There are plenty of things in my head at the moment, yes. But we have been training and we have been doing things for the game, things I hope can work, and we are still not ready. “But we have a few more days, so I am sure we are going to get close to the best form to play the game.”
If I ever go digging for gold I have to take you with me mate! You can find anything!! I had no idea of the intricacies
