Do we start with the same team as Sunday and for the first time this campaign have some stability or do we tweak and bring Borini or Giacherinni into contention? Personally I would keep the same starting 11 and follow last weeks plan.
Larsson impressed me first half last week, not with his footballing prowess. But with his willingness to get in their faces, that disruption was helping the team. Pity it slacked off second half. He is the one I would sacrifice for Giac mind.
I don't think making sensible changes according to the opposition is instable ....... we needed experience, especially derby experience, last week. I think Seb might be the one to miss out today ....... after Hull had such a tough match, a few days back, I'd have Giaccherini in. I'd put Colback on Huddlestone, like we did with Tiote last week, and allow the likes of Cattermole, AJ and Giacc to spread the play around and make Hull chase the ball. Other than that I'd leave things be unless Brown is fit and replace Cuellar who didn't have much of an attack to defend last week and had an easy-ish game. Hull will pose more of an attacking threat today.
Start with the same team then tinker if need be. At least Gus seems tactically aware and has Plan's B, C, and so on.
I'm with Smug on this. Although Larsson played well last week and stuck at his task Giac will give us more going forward, which Hull won't be able to handle.
I wouldn't want us to have a 'defensive midfield' feeling about us and invite Hull on too much. I'm sure we'll score today if we pass the ball and get Hull chasing around.
I'd keep the same team and change it if it becomes necessary. The irony is that we went on our 'remarkable' slump when Bruce changed the team after the 0-3 at Chelsea and things never came back into control from that point, for Bruce.
The daft thing is I really did go into the skunk game expecting something. I fear this one may be a bit tougher graft wise. But still can't see us losing, if the lads are up for it again. And as PDC said no schoolboy mistakes.
Good thoughts lads and all valid. I just think for once to field and unchanged victorious side would be a good sign and we have a strong bench to change it during games. To echo an earlier comment, I think Poyet has 2 or 3 game plans and its refreshing to think a manager is not rigid in his thinking and is keen to change as the game progresses not with 10 mins to go. Borini came on in time to effect the game last week and that's encouraging. Whatever happens I go to watch the game today with a spring in my step and for that alone, I thank Gus and the team immensely.
Borini will be buzzing so for me he starts. . Back 5 probably stick with and id keep Colback and Catts together. Id have Altidore on from the bench to test the tiring Hull defenders .........................Westwood.............................. Bardsley.......Cuellar......Oshea..........Dossena .................Cattermole..Colback....................... Johnson...............Borini...................Giaccherini ...........................Fletcher................................... The 3 can interchange at will whilst the 2 should protect the defence well. Having that extra dm saw Oshea post a staggering 96% pass accuracy against the mags so it helps the link up between defence and midfield.
I'm hoping Poyet is a modern manager with a flexible attitude to games. Last week was a home derby where Newcastle seemed content to play long diagonal balls out to the wings, dance along the edge of our box diving & looking for free kicks and firing in hopeless shots from 30 yards. I think Hull will play a totally different game where we'll need a bit of pace and trickery. I think Poyet will look to stretch the game, pull Hull around and make these chase us all over the pitch. We've had a week off while they didn't get back from London until Thursday morning, tired and nursing a few more knocks.
i want to see us go out all guns blazing, with pace and exploit their tired bodies and brains. if that means we start with the same 11, who knows. but if we don't score early doors we have Borini, Ki and Giacc to make a strong impact.
And the team just announced is ... Sunderland XI: Westwood, Bardsley, Dossena, O'Shea, Cuellar, Cattermole, Colback, Larsson, Borini, Fletcher, Altidore.
