GUS Poyet says he will not be afraid to make the big decisions and drop star names as he goes in search of a winning formula for Sunderland. The Black Catsâ new head coach was shocked at his playersâ second-half collapse against Swansea last weekend and knows he has to find a combination of players which produces results â and fast â even if that means making surprise or unpopular selections. And as he prepares to go into his first Wear-Tyne derby this Sunday, he has warned that character and heart will be just as important as ability. âSometimes, people say in football that you need to pick your 11 best individuals,â he told the Echo. âNo â you need to pick your best team. And sometimes that means you need to leave out one of your best individuals. âNow we need our best team. âWe need characters, rather than individuals. We need players who react the right way and who are mentally strong. âThat is more important than playing your âbestâ player, or the player that everybody likes. âIn my opinion, if you are to do well then you need everybody to have a clear idea of how you want to play and to understand the system. âIf two or three donât do that, it is difficult. And if those two or three are in key positions, then you have a big problem.â Poyet admits that, after only a fortnight in charge, he is still to find his best team and that could well take a little time. He said: âIt is clear that, over the eight games so far this season, the 11 players on the pitch week in, week out, havenât clicked yet, for whatever reason. âThe day I can tell you my team from one to 11 without any doubts, we will be in a good situation. âNow, I have an idea of seven or eight, but there are still some places open.â Despite that, and despite Sunderlandâs 4-0 battering by Swansea at the Liberty Stadium last weekend, Poyet says he is relishing the prospect of managing in a North East derby. âIâm looking forward to it,â insisted the former Brighton boss. âIt is going to be a very special game, âIf you ask me âwould I prefer to go into this game in a better situation and with a few more pointsâ, of course, yes. âBut this is the situation we are in, and I am going to do everything I can to help us improve it. âAnd, as far as the players are concerned, if any of them need lifting when we play Newcastle at home, they donât deserve to be Sunderland players.â
I'm liking him more every time he speaks but he needs to sort the team out quick. We can all talk a good game.
I hope Johnson gets dropped. Knowing us, he is the sort to raise his game and destroy us. O'Shea on the other hand is already done in my opinion.
--------------------Manone------------------- Celusktra---------Roberge-------------Colback---- ----------------------Catts--------------- Karlsson--------Cabral-------Larsson---------Mavrias----- -----------Fletcher------Gecchi------------------- Catts to quickly back track when the mags have the ball and stop any crosses going in, that is where our trouble is at the minute, TWO players on remy Catts one of them (also make him captain). Altidor, Gardner, Johnson, O Shea, etc subs. For the Hull game bring all the other players back in, give them another chance if poor revert to the previous line up in the other massive game vs Soton.
A lot of people label Johnson as a failure this season - but only 6 players in the premier league have created more goalscoring opportunities this season - only players like Mesut Ozil are in that bracket - surely he isn't that bad if he is putting the ball in to our players and they aren;t scoring?? If Fletcher had been fit I reckon you'd have seen some sort of return from those 17 opportunities rather than the 0 we have from them. He has obvious quality by creating these chances. He lacks in some areas but we need someone capable of putting the ball in the net - Altidore isn't! Fletcher is - be interesting watching them now
Official premier league stats - he is 7th in the list of chances created (where the ball reaches a team mate with an opportunity to score) - I admit I don't remember them either but he's in there with players like Ozil, Adam Lallana (SP?) and a number of others
LOL that ****ing surprises me pal. I remember the one against man united when he cut the ball back for Giaccherini but really johnson **** that up because the pass should of been on the floor. he made it harder for Giaccherini.
Or our centre forwards aren't scoring from the chances enough - when you look at the players around him in the stats then it makes sense. I think we are expecting him to beat players and use dazzling skill and only remember those times - chances are we don't remember who crossed the ball when the forward ****s up the finish
Most of the time Johnson crosses are **** pal. don't even get me started on his corners to. let's tell it like it is, his been **** end of. can you name me some clear chances our forwards have missed like?
If this is the case - why is he up there with Mesut Ozil in the chances created? I personally think he's a target - I don't think he's played well but these are simple facts and figures put together by neutral people not by me or any SAFC fan. Ozil has created 19 chances and Johnson 17 this season. Are they same quality of player? No way but they have both created chances - Jozy Altidore has had a few good chances that he really should have scored (I can think of 3 definite) but don;t know who gave him the ball - I'm not looking for an argument just stating facts. Saying his crosses are **** and he's not very good doesn;t exactly agree with the statistics calculated by the premier league. He's not playing well OK but he'#s still getting the ball in the right area
Trust you to put a smile back on my face. With that team Catts would either leave early for a bath or come off absolutely drained doing three mens jobs. Could be four as he would need to put the keepers gloves on too, ffs!
