What a massive game this one is now...A victory gets us back in the thick of things before our very difficult game away at Liverpool, a defeat will leave us cut adrift and bring the clouds of despair back down again.. I believe that going with the two up front will ensure that the crowd is up for it at the start and my one fear is that he will put Rodwell back in the starting line up, not because I have anything in particular against him, but that I now believe that the 33 games he has started without a single win plays on the players minds and undermines confidence..
Moyes would be daft to change the formation that won at Bournemouth unless absolutely forced to by injury. According to the physio room (yes I know) no return date for Rodwell. Borini back on the 26th, all the rest available for the 19th. All Moyes needs to do imo is to replace Pienaar in the line up and leave it at that.
Huge game. Not least because I can't stand David Meyler, the cheating twat, so Hull get tarred with his brush (soz Tigers). Oh aye, and we could use the points anarl
Yes (Larsson ??) and we have unfinished business with Hull - lack of recent wins - a big win for us ... but... a 1 goal victory will do - onwards KTF
Footballs a funny game though, how often do a team score six at home then fail in their next home game. Bournemouth got six against Hull then lost to us, Liverpool got six against Watford and we are their next home opponents, can lightning strike twice, I hope so.
You can add Arsenal to that list, scored six in Europe then Boro got a goalless draw in their next home game, just saying.
Liverpool have a big advantage over the top sides, not being in Europe looks like it's really helping their cause. I hope we get knocked out of the Europa League, it's a pointless and stupid competition that has nothing but negative effects on domestic form.
I'd go with Larsson to replace Pienaar. He's the closest we've got to a like-for-like replacement I reckon, which is what we need.
More than once in the past we have played Hull after what should have been a confidence boosting win, only to perform like total brain dead idiots against them. Hate playing Hull!
He's got to play JD and Vic upfront. As RAW says this is a must win game. Play with the same endeavour and commitment as the Bournemouth game and score early and the fans will carry us across the winning line. PS, fully expect us to shock Liverpool as well. Its what we do.
Agree about the additional fixtures but surely it can also be used to try new formations or bring on those squad players who on the verge of breaking through. Win it and you qualify for the ECL, so it is a bit of a double edged sword really.
I'd love it if we got into the Europa League. I think its a shame that its seen as a pain in the arse these days. I don't think the new format really helps that. I'd like to see all of European competition reformed though. Starting with the wider division of Champions League places and wider spread of money.
I often ponder just how far football has developed since the introduction of the league format in the Champions Cup. It has thrown up some footballers that would not normally see the light of day outside their own countries, especially Eastern Europe but the downside is that is has allowed the elite clubs to buy, then trade. those players in order to maintain the status quo. Breaking into those super leagues in UK is just about impossible because of TV finance, but Germany is a good barometer for how to develop teams and players. No big money owners allowed, 49% (I think) ownership by fans and no massive Sky money. They have their share of foreigners but are also loaded down with developed talent. Compared with the elite clubs here that buy then loan out players I would prefer their system to ours thereby allowing more of our local talent to come through.
It has raised the profile of some players but there are several enormous clubs who are unlikely ever to be considered elite again. I doubt we'll ever see the likes of Ajax, Anderlecht, Dinamo Bucharest, Malmo in a European Cup final again. It may even be too late for the likes of Porto, Sporting, Benfica. If the competition was only open to the champions from each country, the money would be spread further around and the trickle-down effect would benefit the league in each country.
Pienaar should get the red card recinded, a couple of dodgy fouls so what ? was Atkinson the Sunderland hater in charge. I have said before Snodgrass is their main player we have to sign him in Jan.
