Gus Poyet: Some Sunderland critics 'have not got a clue' Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has responded to criticism of the team he sent out for Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Hull. He changed six of the side beaten 3-1 by Manchester City in the previous weekend's League Cup final, and three Hull goals in nine second-half minutes dashed any hope of a return to Wembley. Non-starters Phil Bardsley, Lee Cattermole, John O'Shea, Sebastian Larsson and Jack Colback were the only Sunderland players to start the League Cup final and the FA Cup tie against Hull. "If we were playing Real Madrid, maybe [critics of the team selection] would have a point," he told BBC Newcastle. "But that team was good enough to win." Five of the six players brought in against Hull also started Sunderland's 1-0 victory over Southampton in the fifth round. Hull were still to score when Fabio Borini and Adam Johnson, starters against Manchester City at Wembley, were introduced after 67 minutes. "People will criticise, but you cannot go back - some of them haven't got a clue what goes on behind the doors," Poyet continued. Premier League bottom six "Wes Brown and Craig Gardner were injured, Jozy Altidore and Valentin Roberge ill, Emanuele Giaccherini started and he is one of our most expensive players, Steven Fletcher is coming back and Ignacio Scocco needs to play. "There are no excuses from me, if someone wants to look for some, then fine. I'm man enough to say we played 11 first-team players that were certainly good enough to win the match." Defeat by the Tigers capped a difficult fortnight on Wearside with the cup losses following a 4-1 defeat by Arsenal in the Premier League. Because of their cup commitments, Sunderland have played only one league match in the last month and have slipped back into the relegation zone, placing huge importance on Saturday's home game with Crystal Palace, who they will leapfrog with victory. "If I was a player, going to play the team three points ahead, I wouldn't be affected or down just because there is no more cup and no more Wembley," Poyet added. "If there are weak players in the dressing room feeling sorry, I assure you they will not play. "I cannot control everything, but I will say to our fans is that we'll do everything to prepare a team to beat Crystal Palace."
Can I have my money back poyet then. you tossed that game away because you didn't want to play 4 games in 8 days end of.
He wouldn't of said anything because he would of been knock out. he has pissed loads of fans off & if we get beat on saturday then he wil get some stick from the fans.
That's what happens when you play Lee (1 good game in 10) Cattermole to often. I'm sure he's spot betting, I'm sure he gets sent off deliberately or delibertaly gifts goal scoring opportunities to the opposing teams. I've come to the conclusion that if he plays once to often then we will be relegated, I know he's not the only crap player in out side, but, he stands out because of his dedcisions!
Cattermole didn't have a "bad game" - he had a bad half hour - he was excellent up until the hour mark - best player for either side. First half particularly - How bad was he against Man City in the cup final? Yaya Toure rates him as one of the best in his positionn he's played against. Every player has a poor game (look at Toure in the same afternoon) But Cattermole NEVER hides after his where others do - Larsson and Colback were completely ineffective on the day. O'Shea stood and watched as Davies jumped above him to head Hull in front. The second goal Catts looked scared of getting hijmself sent off (thanks to the Hull players antics in the first half and weak refereeing). To play badly for half an hour doesn't make a player a bad player. My opinion was that he should've been subbed at half time. Steve Bruce had his players singling him out - Aluko and Elmohamady diving when anywhere near him to try to get him booked? He did well not to get himself sent off but he should've been subbed for Bridcutt for the second half IMO
He still has some big problems and I hope for our sake he can overcome them but his and our time is running out, not an ideal situation you must agree.
It never is an ideal situation, when he plays we are either waiting for him to do something stupid & get sent off or to do something stupid to allow the other team to score, he did the same when we played Hull at home this season, like I said, does he have a bet on?
Maybe you are but i rate him. He doesnt deserve half the **** he gets. He gets booked for challenges that other players wouldnt even get a foul against them for. All this reputation stuff is bollocks as well. Refs should be unbiased and impartial regardless of the player. He is the best we have in that position and can be a massive asset to our club
I couldnt agree more, I don't think he has ever hurt anyone while I have watched him, but this is not the point, his reputation is his downfall and he is stuck with it. We have to look no further than the last game when that apology for a commentator Clark Carlysle, a players representative of all people told viewers to look out for Catts retribution as it was sure to come after he had been fouled, deliberately in my opinion just to wind him up. I would sue CC if I was Cattermole, it was pure character assassination, but this is what he, and we, have to put up with, with him in the team, its unfair but it is a fact and it could cost us big time.
He had an excellent game in the cup final and a great first hour against hull. 2 as bad as they were mistakes don't make him a bad player. People are too quick to jump on his back as soon as he has a stinker. I like cattermole and would be looking at some others to point the finger at before him. I looked at sundays team and seen the changes but i wasn't concerned apart from dossena who i wouldn't have near my first team. Giacc most people would have starting, fletcher was our top striker last season, scocco needs game time, would rather risk him in a cup games than the league and the same for vergini and ustari hasn't put a foot wrong in the games he has played. I'm as disappointed as anyone to be out of the cup but the league is more important imo. The team let us down on sunday not one player. It was 0 0 when AJ and borini came on don't forget.
