Good news this: http://www.safc.com/news/20110921/meyler-set-for-reserve-run-out_2256213_2457946 Over the moon for the lad - was looking the part when he picked up his injury and will be good pushing for a place in the side. We are starting to look stronger all the time - long may it continue
Another plus with Meyler is that last time he came back he slotted straight in, didn't seem to need time to get up to speed so with a bit of luck there won't be that 8 or 9 game period of him getting up to speed with the game. Obviously a hideous injury though so just need to make sure he isn't thrown in so early as that he breaks down again. Class act from the 15-20 times I have seen him in a Sunderland shirt. I really think he could be a top Premier League player if he stays fit and continues developing as he was before the injury.
I had heard (very much rumours) that Campbell wouldn't play again, however he was given a squad number and in the 25 man squad I think so hopefully that is rubbish. I wish he was fit now as I really think him and Bendtner would make a superb combination. Not hear a sausage on Gordon lately. Something will need to be sorted at christmas though. I would love to see him sign a longer term deal as can only see us getting a couple of million for him in the January window with his contract running out in the summer.
I love the kid, i think he's twice the player that Clattermole is but I honestly can't see where he would fit in right now, who would we drop to include him? I couldn't find fault with any of the midfielders against Stoke. Mouthwatering dilemas for Bruce though and what a great position to be in.
I don't think we should even consider who will make way for Meyler at this point. I recall the past 2 seasons being injury ridden by Christmas and struggling to turn 11 out in the second half of the season. As we know it is very much a squad game these days and you can never have a 1st XI, and nothing else! Midfield as it is for me unless we need a plan against a particularly tough side. If Vaughan/Gardner etc have a couple of bad games or pick up an injury/suspension then we look at bringing the likes of Meyler/Catts/Colback back in. Lets also not underestimate the importance of the subs bench. A 1 goal lead with 20 to go is something we often seem to let slip so having the likes of the 3 lads on the banch gives us numerous options to shore it up and kill a game!
Can I just ask why nobody is slating Bardsley the way they did Cattermole lase season. Cattermole got sent off twice very early on last season and got a load of abuse from a lot of our fans (along with the clattermole label) - what Bardsley has done is much worse but he has had very little (if any) abuse from our fans. Cattermole missed 3 games - Bardsley has to miss 5 games down to this. Whilst I don't think the foul on Coloccini was intentional (eyes on the ball and along the floor) - there is no doubt about the one on Mata and it was a shocking foul. Cattermole I rate very highly (as I do Bardsley) but he gets a lot of unfair treatment from our players because of the way referee's perceive him a lot of the time
Think thats a very good point mate, certainly not one that had crossed my mind. Off the top of my head Id say it was circumstancial. Bardsley ie player of the year, not a massive history of poor disciplinary issues, got sent off very late on against the toon when many could let that slide as it was him putting himself about when we were chasing the game when many others seemed to lack comittment/urgency and it was reletively late in the game, also against Chelsea there was no immediate impact, so we cudnt blame him for the loss and as we beat Stoke in the next game there was no backlash due to him not being available. Think Cattermole being captain, more responsibility, poor disciplinary record, needs to set an example, Bruce had given him the honour to try and get him to settle down a bit and the games when he got sent off it had a massive impact on the games. However i remember some of the challenges he got booked for and they were nothing more then clumsy trips in the middle of the park ie. his record precedes him. Which also could have been a factor of why Anelka managed to buy a free kick off him when it was clearly a dive.
Stuff I've heard as well (through sources that are at least well acquainted with people at AoL) are that the Campbell position isn't good. Just hope it isn't that way, but ..... hope for the best and plan for the worst? Need to sort out what is going on there sharpish, or we could take a massive loss!!
Sorry to interupt but is this ( http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/88336-Peter-lovencrands?p=1348354 ) the moron who used to WUM your boards posing as a NUFC fan? He's not one of your regulars is he?
