Hoping AOB and Jones are fit so Johnson can get some fresh legs into the team. Sanderson and Winchester are back, McLaughlin should be fresh and I'd be tempted to see what Ross Stewart can offer for 25 mins at the end. Assuming all are fit i'd go: Burge McLaughlin Sanderson O'Nien McFadzean Power Winchester Jones O'Brien Wyke McGeady Subs: Matthews, Hume, Scowen, Gooch, Stewart, Diamond, Maguire
No. Thought he might play yesterday but alas no. Probably a risk having him on the bench as the only defensive option. Maybe stick Younger on there instead. Just thought it might be useful to get him 20 mins at the end if we are winning. Even just stick him on the wing and tell him to get some yards into his legs
Great thread RTB, I think we'll win this by 1 or 2 goals but we we'll be a bit leggy. LJ mentioned on Sunday the team looked a bit tired and I expect it'll be the same for the usual first team regulars. Just got to win so I'm not bothered if it's not pretty. This team seems to have the mindset of clean sheet first then get a goal or 2, I'll take that for the remaining games this season. Ha'Way The Lads, now's the time to tough it out. FTM
Great thread again RTB, and I like your line up, though I will leave picking the team to LJ for now. . OaU.
We'll have some fresh legs as well mate. Sanderson, Winchester, Stewart, maybe Wright, Jones, Vokins, O'Brien. Diamond only played 20 mins. We should be well up for it.
Another great thread RTB, as usual not risking a prediction cos I never get them right, as long as we get the 3 points.
cheers again RTB... after the thrill of the cup win the lads could be a tad 'deflated' but this is where LJ earns his crust. think we will see some fresh legs out there and good use of subs, as things stand i have no fear of anyone playing as all have done their jobs so far (ok, one or three dodgy moments along the way but that is football), last time out vokins looked better and i think mcfaz has improved, pretty sure LJ wanted hume to get some U23 minutes in but he must be close. good to see benji and stewart included in the match day squad at wembley as well which suggest we have two more lads ready to step up as well. we got rid of the 'typical sunderland' tag massively on sunday, let's see them take the next step.
I think this is a 1-1 draw, and won’t be offended by it. A win would be magic, it’s a tough game after the highs of the weekend. I’m inclined at the minute to leave O’Nien as a CB, he brings so much calm there with the touch of a midfielder.
Top class RTB. This is probably covered but anyway .... "And if they are to do it this time, they will have to do it without five of their key players – with goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, captain Seamus Conneely, striker Colby Bishop, defender Ross Sykes and winger Joe Pritchard all set to be sidelined." “I would be lying if I said we don’t miss Seamus as he has been our best player this season. If they stopped the season now and had a vote for the player of the season from the fans, players and management staff, he would win it hands down. We do miss him but we have to get on with it. “They are all big misses for us but it gives others the opportunity to play and do well.”
Benji played for 65 minutes on Monday and looked pretty sharp - he did get a yellow card though. It would be good to see what Stewart can do.
Good to see they have an injury crisis https://www.shieldsgazette.com/spor...-as-john-coleman-pinpoints-danger-man-3167346
Their results have gone downhill recently so looks like its linked to this injury crisis. If the Sunderland of recent weeks show up it should be a victory. If the Sunderland from before that show up, who knows
