If we play 4-5-1 in the final Aluko should definitely be playing out on the wing, we'll need his pace to hit them on the counter. Unless Figueroa really picks up his form before the final I'm pretty sure we'll be going 3-5-2 as it's too risky to play Elmo as a right back. In which case Aluko should be one of the 2.
Sagbo is more of a goal machine than Altidore - and if it wasn't for Sagbo's goals we might not be in an FA Cup final at all. I think he's great to have as a back-up striker for the Premier League too.
Saying someone is more of a goal machine than Altidore is like saying it's better to have one bollock chopped off than two.
Compared to Dozy Altidonkey every Premier League striker is a goal machine, well except Rocky van Bullwinkle at Norwich of course
I'm more of a goal machine than Altidore. I've no problem with Sagbo, I think he's a decent player to have around, I just don't ever expect him to be prolific.
It just boils down to form, league wise Long and Jelavic have done well and scored a few goals, whereas Aluko is still coming back from injury and it's a tough level to get back up to. Look at last season; we splashed out for Proschwitz, but he couldn't get in the team because of the form of Simpson and Aluko. If he hadn't been injured this season, I suspect this would've been a non-issue as he'd probably have continued on at the same level he was. If he's fit, I suspect Aluko will feature on Saturday. If not, we still have Boyd to fill that gap and then Sone can get a full pre-season under his belt.
He's scored two for Sunderland so far, one in the league one in the Capital One. His Premier League record is now 2 goals in 56 appearances, which is about as dire as it gets. Even Manucho managed 2 in 14.
It is indeed and one more game he'll have made the same number of appearances for them as he did for us.
Sagbo doesn't score many but its because he spends so much time out on the wing. His chance conversion rate is really good. If we could get him in the box a bit more he'd be a decent goalscorer. We aren't going to play 451 though. Bruce admitted after the semi that he regretted picking that lineup. There's no way he'll do it again if he has a choice.
Different kettle of fish. It didn't work against the pigs as we needed to go out there and control the game, but against Arsenal it could work, so long as Figueroa's on his game for once. I'd be disappointed if the reasoning for not going 4-5-1 was because it didn't work to dominate a team 2 divisions below us.
Well, something has got to happen during the close season. Long and Jelly have been impressive with their work rate and working for each other but have scored only 6 goals in the 23 they have played together. We need more than this. Aluko and Sagbo 3 goals from 40 appearances is far from good enough at this level whilst Matty Fryatt has not made the first team starting line and has 1 goal from 8 off the bench. We cannot carry passengers on our wage budget and someone with a bit of quality will have to be brought in. This will surely mean that some have to go. Neither Aluko, Sagbo or Fryatt are cutting the mustard at this level and if offers come in they will surely be let go. I don't know who is available but the facts and stats speak for themselves so surely Steve Bruce and his staff will have targeted the players we need and the Allams' 'bean-counters' will be figuring the ways to pay for them and who is to go.
He said after the game something like "We've gone 2 up front all season and I shouldn't have changed that." It wasn't about the opposition, it was just that we aren't a 1 up front team. Against Arsenal we'll need to compete with them on the ball. We can't just sit back and hope to soak up pressure. On Sunday we outplayed them early on and had more of the ball and more chances, later on when they had more of the ball they were just toying with us. We'll go 4-4-2 or 3-5-2.
a couple of quick points: NickP failed to get in the team because of his own **** form, not because Aluko or Fryatt were particularly great. Fryatt' s not pulling up trees, but he isn't running into them, either. There are times when Fulhams defence are statuesque and that is where Aluko' s close game can create real problems in giving himself and others the sort of opportunities we score from. It would help, though, if he could try and stay on his feet. Crosses fine, but if Fulham have the big lads out, we'll spend most of the game bouncing off them; just as Moyes found out. Get at and amongst them. Sagbo is a useful player to have. Get your attacking players on in the FA Cup final, planning for impact players against Arsenal is planning to get your arse kicked.
