SUNDERLAND are set to bring Ji Dong-won back into the fold for today’s game against Aston Villa. And that will give the South Korean the chance to reprise by far his best moment in a Sunderland shirt – when he scored the winner against Manchester City on New Year’s Day, 2012. Gus Poyet confirmed to the Echo: “I plan to include Ji in the squad for the game against Aston Villa. “He’s an interesting character because he is different from the other strikers we have and the bottom line is that we do not have many selection choices when it comes to attack. “We have Steven Fletcher and we have Jozy Altidore – we don’t know yet about Fabio Borini – but Ji gives us another option. http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/sunderland-boss-hands-ji-fresh-chance-1-6345530
I'll put my neck on the block here, Ji could score goals for Sunderland if he's played in the correct way. Perhaps it's fate that he should score on NYD like he did against Man City. I'd happily have him on the bench today.
never say never....fans need to support the lad though, and not get on his case, to help buoy his confidence. it has to be last chance saloon for him if he plays today though. if he doesn't do enough, no point keeping him if we can sell him.
I suppose it's possible he's being included in the squad because the window's open and 'buyers' might need to be pushed a bit. Otherwise Poyet thinks that, as we have loads of games coming up, we need options who don't have to go into a first team game without prior 'bonding'. It's no good flinging the lad into a match from the start having been 'out in the cold' for so long.
It's impossible to guess the state of the bottom half after today Sunderland V Villa Crystal Palace v Norwich Fulham v West Ham If we win we'll definitely make up ground on someone, Villa apart ........ even if it's Hull at Liverpool, Cardiff at Arsenal, Stoke at home to Everton, West Brom at home to Newcastle. Not all of the relegation candidates can win and, if we do, it means we could've made up 3 points on SEVEN teams! Haway the Lads!!!!!!!!!
I agree, I said on another thread that Poyet may be 'including' him in order to push potential buyers into action. A winning goal today would increase his fee by 500k ............. and make me a very smug Smug
That was my first thought but Dortmund and other German teams already know about him, which is where he'll probably go, so I'm not sure that's the reason. Maybe he's seen something on the training pitch from the lad to maybe give him chance again.
My list of sales, are Johnson, Wickham, Ji ,Gardner Vaughan...my buys are an attacking midfielder and a striker/finisher, I've said before that although I do not like Vermin Defoe if he could come on loan for the rest of the season that would be ideal...I suppose it depends whether or not Sherwood has Defoe starting games? Getting in another LB on loan as Dossa is not looking that good atm does also seem a wise move.
Thing is Sandy, despite the comments the lad obviously isn't actually '****' is he ....... perhaps he needs a combination of coaching, playing in the right position, encouragement and a settle side some hope. I feel sorry for him and hopes he proves me and everyone else wrong. I think he has potential but he just looks like a little boy lost at the moment, perhaps a strong character like Poyet can give him the confidence he needs eh?
I believe we should win this game, so it's the ideal opportunity to include players like Ji. He will be hoping for more money and regular first team performances so he will play his heart out for the scouts. 2 - 1 to us.
Team news 5 minutes ago Mannone, Celustka, Bardsley, Diakite, Roberge, Cattermole (C), Ki, Colback, Ji, Giaccherini, Fletcher.
Just watching Man City take Swansea to pieces ..... 3-1 at the moment. Swansea look so ordinary despite the media being right up their back passage.
