I don't think there's a whole lot of outstanding, game changing quality in the Sunderland team but they will be solid, organised and motivated - it is a MON team after all. If we make a slip up, as we are wont to do, we could very well be punished. If we turn up and play well we will win - but we need a good performance and probably an early goal to give the players confidence. That's our problem - mental fragility. Suso is in the squad today - interesting.
On the opening day of last season we played well in the first half, lead one nil at half time, missed a penalty and had a goal disallowed. In the second half we were sloppy, allowed you to equalise and ended up with a draw. This was with Steve Bruce, not Martin O'Neill, but it proves your point fairly well.
For me, Sunderland will be a tough game. IMO, the possible game changers in open play for Sunderland would be Sess and AJ. However, Fletcher can finish well and will certainly be given chances by McClean and AJ - let's not also forget that Larsson can be devastating from free kicks. Another slight concern for me is our steel in midfield. With Lucas out and Allen recovering from illness, who would best be pitted against Cattermole - who, incidently, I think is a very good DM. Hopefully Allen will be ok, and Cattermole won't dominate as much as he could. For us to get a result we need a solid performance from all, from the back four and (mostly) Pepe, the midfield need to press and harry and we also need our front three to start finding the net. If we can work like we did last season, and in the City game, but find our finishing boots we might just get a result. I think we can do it. I'm staying positive today.
Usually when no one expects us to win we come out with a relatively decent performance, and I'm hoping that'll be the case this evening too. Even though I'd take a draw, I think it is important that we grab 3 points which ever way we can with Man United coming up. Hopefully this emotional week will inspire a great Liverpool performance to get us our first win in the league this season, without underestimating Sunderland I'm quietly optimistic we can come home with all 3 points. Also I think it's important we keep a clean sheet, we've conceded 7 from 3 games which isn't good enough, + for the sake of getting Reina back to his best we need him to start performing again
After the emotional week we've had, it may kick-start our season. A win today, a win on thursday, and giving Man United the daddy of all beatings at Anfield next sunday would be an excellent tonic.
Good for us next week that United are playing in mid-week too. Anyway... not the usual pre-match chat today, understandably. Predicted line ups anyone? I'll say Reina Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique Allen Sahin Shelvey Sterling Suarez Assaidi
I think we'll win this one. I know its not been a great start but I dont think Sunderland have many good players although O'Neill normally gets the most out of his team. I'd prefer to see Gerrard sitting instead of Allen, Gerrard played much better for England playing a more defensive role than he has for us so far this season and I dont think Allen gets stuck in enough to play there. Rather see him pushed further ahead and use his passing ability in the final third. I fancy Suarez to get a couple of goals today though. 2-0
Poor (or quite good, depending on perspective!) dive by Welbeck; glad Hernandez messed it up. Rio avoided Terry's and Ashley's handshake. Not that it'll get as much attention as you know who's one...but we're not going to mention that! People saying it's only a handshake and that we should just quickly move on and focus on football. I agree, but where have all these sane people come from all of a sudden!
My guess for the line-up is Reina Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique Allen Gerrard Sahin Suarez Sterling Borini.
Heard someone singing YNWA earlier dont know if it was united or wigan fans or both but respect to them
A good few. People say "Oh it's only a minority" Well why don't the ****ing people sat next to the "Minority" tell them to pack it the **** in.
And I had that nitwit Rusholme Ruffian saying they don't do it. ''Its liverpool fans that do it''. ****ing snide, like the lot of them.
