Bench: Vito, Robson, Mavrias, Rodders, Alvarez, Giacc, Jozy. Some defensive and midfield cover on the bench, and a couple of game changers up top. Jozy to 'work away' at it, if Fletch needs a rest. Too early for Jones I reckon. Save him and Catts for the trip to Villa.
SUNDERLAND’S lack of full-backs – after John O’Shea filled in at left-back in the 1-0 weekend win over Newcastle – is not Gus Poyet’s only headache for the visit of Hull City on Boxing Day. After Connor Wickham collected a fifth yellow card of the season and a subsequent one-match ban against the Magpies, Poyet must fill the void left by the 21-year-old out wide. With the returning Emanuele Giaccherini not deemed fit enough to be risked against Newcastle, Ricky Alvarez is the likeliest contender to take Wickham’s spot and Poyet admits that he has been trying to find a place for the Argentine in the starting XI. “I need to play Ricky, I need to find a way,” said Poyet. “I’m trying, it’s not easy and I can’t explain it to him because he’s desperate to play. “Maybe on Boxing Day? “That might be a nice day to make the starting line-up and show how important he is for us.” Hull have injury problems of their own, with Steve Bruce forced to recall winger Tom Ince and left-back Maynor Figueroa from loan spells in the Championship yesterday. Bruce’s men have only taken two points from their last eight games, but Poyet admits he has had to brush up on the side who triumphed in all three meetings with Sunderland last season. Poyet added: “To be honest, I watched Newcastle a lot, but I’ve only watched Hull in a couple of games. This week is going to be an interesting one to really concentrate on what they’ve been doing. “They’ve been missing players, so it’s a different approach to Newcastle.”
Another must win game ???, last year, Hull City brought us down to earth with a bump, not once, not twice but three times, twice after derby wins. The omens are not good either, them in a slump, us on a high, the time of year and possibly worst of all Marriner. We need to give another huge performance, not impossible with this squad, and take all three points, turning the screw on them for a change. Yes, winning this game would be another giant step forward for all concerned. In Gus we trust. onwards and upwards.
I can sense some Boxing day feel good factor. Last year we lost games where we played with 9 men, 10 men and then a reserve team in the QF. Larsson will own Meyler in the middle. If Fletcher is moving well, I can see a few goals here. Type of game where Gomez will sink a one in from 20 yards. He's better at that than 10 yards
I think were forgetting an important thing. Brown cannot play on boxing day and at Villa on the 28th, we have been told he can only play once a week. If that's the case we might have to play the same defence boxing day with JOS at LB as it gives Jones an few more days before he comes back into the side?? Either way its a good job Coates has started to find form as he is going to get some games over the next few weeks. If I was Gus I would have a defender ready to sign on the 1st Jan as we could really use the cover. If anyone of our back 4 get injured now were going to face a real problem.
Bad omen for boxing day. Anyone remember when we played Hull at home last season? Right after our win at Newcastle :-/
Bad omen for boxing day. Anyone remember when we played Hull at home last season? Right after our win at Newcastle :-/
Jumping to negative conclusions? Reflecting on last years tremendous results! Winning at old Trafford first time since 68 breaking mourinho's 77 game unbeaten recode at Stamford bridge another theirs heart to this team that's for sure. Much respect to GP
Seems MR Bruce is having problems with his squad as Paul McShane has been training with the under 21s since last month and won't apologise. Seems all is not well at the KC. However just hope we left something in the tank after the efforts at SJP.
The assistant manager has just left aswell. Seems like something is going a bit wrong. None of it will be Bruces fault of course.
Reveillere ruled out; Giaccherini and Jones raring to go. Gus Poyet has revealed that the injury to Anthony Reveillere is not as bad as he first thought. The Frenchman limped off during the warm-up at St James’s Park at the weekend and Sebastian Coates was drafted in moments before kick-off. Initially the head coach thought Reveillere had done some real damage due to the pain he was in, but scans have shown that the full-back has picked up a muscle tear. “Luckily, for Reveillere it’s just a muscle injury.” Poyet told safc.com. “I say lucky because we thought it was worse as it looked bad and he was in a lot of pain. He’ll be out of action for three weeks, four maximum.” The Uruguayan was also boosted by the return of two other Black Cats on the training pitch this week as Emanuele Giaccherini and Billy Jones continue their rehabilitation. “Jones and Giaccherini are back. With all respect to them, they’re like two kids. If you asked today who is running the most in training today, it’s Jones and Giaccherini. “ Poyet continued. “They were trying to do everything that they missed for the last few weeks. “It’s great to have them back.”
