Match Day Thread Sunderland v Lincoln City – Saturday 20th March - KO 15:00

Would’ve been a big crowd in today if possible, I’m sure of it. Gutted.

 

No he doesn't, he's plays as a defensive midfielder, shielding the centre backs. But in an interview with the imps manager I saw yesterday he said they have a couple of CB injury worries so, with their small squad, he may have to play Bridcutt there - he also said Liam had played a lot as CB.

 

In a small squad he's the perfect height to fit in perfectly. To be fair he did OK for us during a difficult personal period for him and his family.

 

Haaaaaaaaaaaaawaaaaaaaaaay!

 

I thought Leadbitter might play ....

... with Johnson you can never work out the formation, could even be a back four

 

For me this is one of Johnson's best attributes, he is prepared to change formation to suit whoever we play against, both before and during a game, and his changes are usually effective.

 

That's why we've had to learn patience isn't it, even on RTG there are less 'what a terrible team he's picked' posts.

Against Tranmere I predicted we wouldn't score until an hour into the game, it was obvious they'd really go for it.

And just as the Accrington game, we wore them down and when they lost concentration for just a second .... kaboom.

In other games we're out of the blocks and attacking from the start, good fun isn't it

 

Not the team I'd have picked but it looks good to me. And for the first time in a long time I'm trusting our manager to know better than me

 

I was one of many people who was unsure of him when he was appointed but warmed to the idea after reading up on him a bit. Thankfully the people who really matter have more football nous than me.

 

It's also pretty amazing that with so many players out, there can be so many team selections in different formations that still look good.

When we had everybody fit under Parkinson you'd only need one or two players to be injured and it looked like the whole thing was disjointed.

LJ has taken the tools at his disposal and turned them from the rigidity they were stuck in and made them fluid.

 

Yeah I would of preferred scowen for leadbitter
However I’m not the boss

 

I am assuming Power will be in a midfield 3. Would prefer O9 there but in LJ we trust.
Once again the bench will have quality & game changers on it.
As already said elsewhere I think LJ is giving Leds as much playing time as poss prior to him retiring at the end of the season

 

I usually agree with your team views but not on this ...

... I don't think Johnson has any room for sentiment tbh, promotion at any cost imo.

 

Think they might be as defensive as other teams have been . After their recent run , may think a draw here is as good a result as any to curtail their demise

 

Leds would be benched today if it was my decision. Purely as I think 2 games a week every week is too much. Just surprised LJ has put him in again. Thats assuming this team is correct.

 

Yeah I was surprised to see leadbitter in the stating line up
That’s if it is

 

I thought he'd play tbf.

As it's a home game I think Johnson will want to control the game and not let it become frantic.

We have the bench if we need to tweak things.

As he showed at Accrington he doesn't wait until the 85th minute as previous managers have done.

 

Pompey getting beat

 

Pitch looking magnificent...