There is much speculation that today is crunch day for manager Steve Bruce. A convincing win is what is required, after the team and manager failed to show up against Norwich on Monday evening. I expect the formation to change to an attacking 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, with Bendtner partnered up front by Ji Dong Won. The press reported earlier in the week that Connor Wickham was struggling with a groin strain, so it remains to be seen if he makes the bench today. Seb Larsson is also struggling with a broken toe, but is expected to start. Turner is expected to start in place of the suspended Titus Bramble and there are calls for Lee Cattermole to be reinstated to the defensive midfield role. My team prediction for today is... Mig Elmo....Turner....Brown....O'Shea Larsson....Catts....Vaughan....Sess Bendtner....Ji Dong Won
An interesting article from the Shields Gazzette...... http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/sport-columnists/point-of-fosters/sunderland_defender_ready_to_take_his_turn_1_3828141 MICHAEL Turner is over the injury problems which have dogged him for almost a year, according to Sunderland boss Steve Bruce. Turner was due to make his first appearance of the season in today’s visit of West Bromwich Albion as a like-for-like replacement for Titus Bramble, suspended from all club duties this week after his arrest on Teesside in the early hours of Wednesday. Former Hull man Turner has endured a torrid time since injuring knee ligaments in a collision with a goalpost during Sunderland’s 2-2 draw with Everton last November. Although the 27-year-old returned to the side at the tail end of last season, he was well short of match fitness and eventually suffered a relapse. Turner returned to make five appearances for the Black Cats during pre-season, but fresh concerns over the condition of his knee saw him left out of the squad for the first three league games. But boss Bruce believes Sunderland’s medical team have now found a solution to Turner’s injury woes and the centre-half is ready to return to the rigours of the Premier League. Bruce’s only concern is Turner’s lack of match fitness, although the route is clear for a sustained run in the side, with Bramble missing and full-back Phil Bardsley serving the third of a four-game ban today. Bruce, right, said: “I think it’s time to put Michael in. The one issue with him is he just needs games. “He’s been out practically 12 months. I know he came back towards the end of last season and he played a bit in pre-season, but it’s not the same as being in the side week-in, week-out. “Over the last two weeks, though, there’s been signs that he’ll be OK. “He’s looked more like his normal self, and his knee is fine now as well.” The loss of Bramble, coupled with the August departure of Anton Ferdinand has left Sunderland thin on defensive options. Bruce could have turned to 18-year-old rookie Louis Laing alongside Wes Brown for today’s game or switched John O’Shea from right-back to centre-half. But Bruce believes it is important for Sunderland to get Turner up and running. “Michael’s got to be ready with Bardsley suspended and Titus out,” added Bruce. “I suppose I could put O’Shea in there and move Elmohamady to right-back, but I think putting Michael in is the best option.”
I'm not being funny but can anyone else see that we are going to be well short at the back at some point this season, why did we let Anton go again? After all wasn't he playing first team football.......
Hoping for -------------------------Mig--------------------------- O'Shea----Turner-------------Brown-------Colback Elmo-------Gardner-------Vaughan------Larsson -------------Wickham------Bendtner------------- Easy 3 points.
Larsson on the right for me if fit, Richardson left midfield and I agree with the rest. I don't think we should hamper Larsson by putting him out on the left to accommodate Elmo
Mignolet, O'Shea, Richardson, Brown, Turner, Lasson, Elmohamady, Cattermole (C), Gardner, Sessegnon, Bendtner. Subs: Meyler, Colback, Dong-won, McClean, Cook, Laing, Westwood. In no particular order just copied and pasted off SAFC. Whickham not even on the bench? Sess still a striker. Ricco still a LB. Vaughn ill? Looks like Bruce is going for a draw again.
Sunderland to go down? Sorry but any club that gets rid of Gyan and replaces with Bentnder is in serious trouble, should of done everything you could to keep Gyan like we did Modric
Though I agree about more effort to keep our batter players should be made I disagree about us going down and Bendtner. Fantastic effort from Sess (Running onto the ball from midfield Bruce you ****ing numpty!) Then a possible pelanty for WBA? **** me it looks like men against boys.
