would be lovely to give these fekkers a kick in the nads with a nice win for a change but cant see it personally, however i can always live in hope
I reckon if they get a early goal it would probably make us happy keeping it down to the Bolton result, can’t see a single reason for any fan on here to be the slightest bit optimistic, let’s hope AN finds the magic stick and beats them with it.
So I now have a VPN. Have the ability to watch the game. And I’m going to the pictures with the family at 4:10 pm! My choice too!!!! That’s sadly where I am! Think my glass is only a quarter full! The rose tint is fading. In the words of D:Ream…. Take me away!!
I generally agree but Winchester may well be the best RB we have. He has had several good games playing there.
Alex Neil explains absences of defensive duo for Sunderland's midweek draw against Burton Alex Neil has explained the absences of Trai Hume and Arbenit Xhemajli from Sunderland's bench in midweek. The defensive duo were both included amongst the subs for the Black Cats' home game against MK Dons last weekend, but were left off the teamsheet when Sunderland took on Burton Albion at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday. That led some fans to question whether they were left out due to injury or merely due to a selection decision by Neil, but the head coach says that neither player was injured, and he explained the thinking behind his decision. "It wasn't an injury issue," he said of teenage right-back Hume, who joined the club from Northern Ireland side Linfield in January. "I didn't go with Trai the other night just because it was a home game and I wanted an extra attacking option, rather than a defensive option, on the bench. We had Danny Batth on the bench (who could have come on in central defence, allowing Bailey Wright to play right-back) and we had the likes of (Lynden) Gooch on the pitch who could have gone to right-back if need be. There are certain games where I would prefer a more attacking option on the bench because we want to try and win." Neil opted to play Carl Winchester at right-back against Burton instead, with the versatile midfielder one of Sunderland's better performers on the night. Hume is still only 19 years old, his fledgling career has only just begun, and Neil is also giving him time to make the step up to League One. He said: "He's certainly got developing to do, because what you need to remember is that Trai came through at Linfield and I think that he has only played something like 20-odd games in his career. We're not talking about a seasoned pro who has done it for years and years. What we're talking about is a young lad who has got really good potential and we need to bed him in and give him opportunities when and if it's appropriate. I thought that Carl Winchester was one of our best players in the last game, so I certainly think that Trai not having played and Winnie having played instead cost us the game." Neil has spoken several times about the fatigue suffered by some of his younger players, and of the lack of options he has in key positions, which makes it very difficult to give those jaded players a rest. One player he was cited as an example is on-loan Manchester City centre-back, Callum Doyle, who is only 18 years old but has started virtually every game this season and is now clearly in need of a break, but currently Sunderland's only real candidate to replace him on the left-side of central defence is Xhemajli, and he has barely played since suffering a serious knee ligament injury 16 months ago. Neil said: "I don't think that he is someone we can't consider, but what you have to remember is that in two years he has played something like nine U23 league games. I could sit with a long list and tell you how much they have played and how often they have played of late, and anyone in my position I think would see it the exact same way, because with 12 games left and so many players with really limited game time, it's hard for someone to be the guy to come in and drag us forward." "Arby is in the squad for Saturday, he is training well, and he is available for selection."
He's been decent there on the whole but I'd rather we had him as an option for CM if we've got someone who's a capable natural RB.
Great as usual @RTB I'm going to be positive and say the pressure will get to Wigan and we will sneak a draw
Great thread RTB. Well I’m normally an optimistic person but I really don’t see anything other than a home win. That said I will be there supporting the lads in the hope that they can turn in a cracking performance and send the travelling fans home happy, God we do deserve something to cheer. Haway lads and keep the faith lads and lasses.
Sadly the majority of our fans feel the same way mate, as all the posts indicate save a few i know we all want a win by any means and for a vast improvement. but its difficult to deceive your own eyes, anyway we can but pray
Presser...... Only about 9mins worth for some reason though https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2022/february/wigan-athletic/press-conference-wigan-athletic
wow he doesn't give off an air of confidence, in fact all the questions he was asked he seem seems to give off a negative spin and excuses, having said that at least he identifies a lot of the faults in the team so lets hope he can get them firing
Shame I can't meet up mate but you know my circumstances. Have a great day out and hopefully smiling all the way home.
He is certainly very different to LJ with the media. I like his straight talking in interviews but I haven't really been impressed with his team selections so far tbh. Interested to see how he shapes the side up tomorrow and how it plays out.
did you get the same vibe that he identified the problems but feels he cant fix it due to unfit players and square pegs in key positions
