Ok, we not only lost but worse, we did nothing to show any reason why we deserved to win, so what does Bruce do. Change the team Well he has a few choices but with it still a little early for our injured players he does not have a lot of options. What would you do, assuming Dordon and Ned are fit but Turner, Catts,Welbeck and Campbell are out. Change Formation. Birmingham played with a 5 man defence and one up front, it worked for them but we have tried it twice and it sure as hell did not work for us. What would yoiu do?
Hope the Arsenal defence make the same mistake they made against Birmingham A few more tough fixtures to go and then we have a run of winnable games and hopefully more players back from injury.
Bruce must change the center of midfield. Simply putting hendo in the middle not working. If roland riveros can't cut it maybe mensah in front of back 4? Steed back in. I just want to see something tried. It may not work but the blinkers on approach starting to irk a bit.
The team just has to get back the attitude that won us games like Chelsea. It's not really the formation, but the mentality of the team is so important against these sorts of teams, and, for God's sake, STOP HOOFING THE ****ING BALL!!!
Personally I would drop Hendo. I would play Riveros in a midfield 3 with Muntari and Steed. Then have Ricco left Sess Right supporting Gyan. Back 4 of: bard rock bramble ned. Arsenals style will suit Riveros style of play and let's face it he cannot be any worse than Henderson has been. I think we might feel the backlash of the weekend tbh.
Hard to argue with the logic behind the Riveros comment. Re your last sentence - ****ting myself at the thought!!!
They are good if you let them play. After another cup game this week they are there for the taking against a hard working, physical side 3 days before their biggest game of the season. SAFC will be a lot more comfortable now that Brum have taken a european place so I am expecting a response. Play like we did at Everton and we'll get thrashed.
Cypruss, We need to put some god damn effort in thats what we need to do. Keep a solid shape like Brum did and counter when possible as we have the skills with Muntari, Sess, Richardson, Gyan and Hendo can spot a pass. We have another 2 week break after the Arsenal but we all know the lads will have some more Jollys booked then turn up at the SOL sun-tanned up, Gordon red as a crisp due to his Scottish skin and put in a duff performance against the Hubcap Steelers and get beat, after all thats just the Sunderland way!
Birmingham were pressurising them high up the pitch, if you sit back against Arsenal they will rip us apart. Brum were getting tired later on and Arsenal were all over them. If Bowyer can put a shift in like he did, why the hell can't our young players do the same. As has been said it was embarrassing our lack of effort last week. I would put Zenden in instead of Henderson, he is still the only Sunderland player I have seen calmly pick a pass, then move to make himself available. Too many times we pass the ball then stand watching as if to say I've done my bit you lot get on with it! Gyan and Sess were laying off the ball and moving and not getting the ball returned, ffs surely we train with pass and move? Henderson holds onto the ball too long then feels pressurised and ends up going backwards. Richardson must be colour blind as he has a hell of a job picking out a Red and White top to pass too. His recent goals have have "just" kept me off his back, I still say his over all play is ****! Steed and Zenden to start, if they get tired then sub them, lets go for the jugular and not sit back if we go in front.
OH! And FFS when taking throw ins toss it to feet, nearly every throw taken lately has ended up with the opposition with the ball!
I think that, on the day, it will all depend on how Arsenal play. Even with their current crop of injuries, they have a number of players who are technically superior to us. If they put it all together at their best, it won't really matter what we do, as they will be too strong for us. They can be frighteningly good, and I reckon that Willshere will turn out to be one of the best English footballers seen for many a year.
Aye Wilshire looks a good prospect and not averse to sticking his foot in! I just wish he wouldn't whine like the rest of the Arsenal team when they get it back. Reminds me I was watching the final with my son, Cliche kicked the ball away so he could get back into defence. I said to my son if that had been the other way round Arsenal would have been all over the ref to get him booked. Must have been five minutes later a Brum player kicked the ball away 3 Arsenal players straight at the ref and the Brum player booked.
If ned is fit i would try back four of elmo/titus/ned/bardo then play mensah in front of them as dm. Midfield of sess/muntari/steeeeeeeed/rico and play baby jet up front. Mig in goal if gordon is not fit
