In today’s press conference Kit said that LVC may be fit and he has to speak to physio today. Scotty Parker did indeed get a knock against Forest last night and is doubtful. The other one I was waiting to hear about was Sean Kavanagh but Kit didn’t mention him. I suspect both LVC and Parker won’t be risked. Kit also said “we play best when underdogs and it’ll be interesting to see how they face up to PL opposition”. From that I take it he’ll put out his “regulars”. Okay they’ve played a lot in the last 10 days but there’s then a clear week before the Blackburn game. The big question mark for me though is to Hugo or not? For me it’s a .. not. Assuming Kavanagh is okay, I think the line up will be: ………………Bettinellli………… ..Grimmer…Bodurov..Hutchinson…Stafylidis… …..Fofana…….Tunnicliffe….Kavanagh… ……………….Kaca…. ………….Woodrow..McCormack..
I don't think Kavanah will be available, he didn't even have the stitches out the other day when he signed his new contract and given the cut is on the bend of the knee he won't have full movement yet. I think that might mean McCormack will drop into midfield and Dembele will come in up top. Or possible a straight swap with R. Williams. I wouldn't mind that too much, a player with a point to prove in a big game.
You're right FI - Kavanagh is OUT. As is Parker and there will be other changes, according to Kit in his internal video; Back to the drawing board!
We might as well go for it, Sunderland's defence isn't the most solid and we're a bit light in midfield. I reckon; Normal back 4 >>>>>>>>>>Tunnicliffe>>>>>Fofana>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>Ruiz>>>>>McCormack>>>>>Kaca>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Woodrow>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Although part of me would like to see a more experimental team with Grimmer playing centre back, Roberts and Williams on the wings and David in the middle. As Kit says, it's a bonus game - good chance for younger players to get experience.
I think we should play a fairly strong side. I'm not too upset at Parker's absence, as the old feller could probably do with a rest. I'd go for the normal back four again (isn't it good to be able to write that?), with the following six in front of them: Tunnicliffe Fofana Christianson Kacaniklic Woodrow McCormack It sounds like Hugo did well in the first half against Forest, combining well with McCormack for his goals. Even so, let's rest him for this one and give Cauley his chance. Either it means we have a potentially rejuvinated Hugo for next weekend, or Woodrow will have impressed and made his case for starting in Hugo's place - win win. We should definitely continue to play McCormack as a proper striker. When he's up front, it means the chances are more likely to fall the person best equipped to turn them into goals. We had lots of opportunities in the first game against Wolves, but we didn't score because they kept falling to the wrong people (including, on the day, Woodrow - let's hope his goal against Forest will boost his confidence and be a bit of a turning point.). My one hesitation in the above is Christianson. I'm assuming that he's fit to play, but it might be better to start him from the bench and ease him back. With Kavanagh injured and Hyndman away on international duty, I'm not sure who else I'd pick for more of a midfield (rather than attacking midfield) role. Ruiz is probably the leading contender, which is a bit of an indictment of the defensive prowess of George Williams and Pat Roberts! I don't know a lot about Ryan Williams - is this a position he could play? It's just possible that we could even see a return to first team action for the much maligned Mark Fotheringham... which makes Ruiz sound a more comforting thought.
Ryan Williams could Captain - he's a left side 'midfield/winger' and has played there for us before this season (can't remember the game but it was just before he went out on loan to Barnsley) . The main drawback is that he's not played for real since his return from loan at the beginning of the year. Just as well Cattermole is out of their side. Could have been a bit of "red mist" around if he and our Two Ryan's were on the same pitch. [Other potential good news is that it looks as though Johnson is also out for them]
After experiencing some woeful Championship referees this season it will be nice to get a top dog for this game. Except …. it’s Mr ‘TT’ Taylor in charge. please log in to view this image One of the North West ‘mafia’, the man is a bundle of confusion and boy does he love dishing out cards. Just ask the Sunderland lads - in their recent derby against Newcastle he flashed the yellow 8 times. In his 20 Premiership games so far this season, he has given a total of 85 yellows and 3 reds. Don’t be surprised if ‘TT’ tilts the game in favour of … well, it could be either side. Just ask the Arsenal lads.
Roll on Tuesday 3rd February. And soooo close by Hugo to not even need the replay. Based on Gentleman Jim's commentary, a really solid performance by all the lads, with Ryan Tunnicliffe edging MOTM. COYW
Same feeling as in the last round after the draw with Wolves, good to still be in the cup but could be doing without another extra game. When Sunderland went down to 10 I thought we'd maybe go on and edge it but it wasn't to be. I'm sure every team left in the cup will be thinking the exact same but I'll say it anyway, what a wide open cup it's become now, the chance is there to go on a decent run.
Click here for an early video taster and see how close we came to winning - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30968231
Just watched the above link Rodwell should have been off for his first challenge in the 13th minute which meant they played with 10 men for nearly the whole game
Agree with you Cookie - a dreadful tackle. A good result all round I think. Looking forward to going into work tomorrow - my director and a colleague are both Sunderland fans! And we got a result up there with our second team - well that's what I will tell them!
