Jon McLaughlin has won another call-up to the Scotland squad.The 31-year-old has been in stellar form for the Black Cats this season. Scotland face Albania on Saturday, November 17th before the visit of Israel the following Tuesday. It leaves Sunderland with a dilemma if they receive another two call-ups, as seems likely. The Black Cats are due to face Wycombe Wanderers next Saturday and Jack Ross is eager to avoid another postponement. He fears a challenging fixture backlog further down the line, with finding a date for the previously postponed game against Blackpool not straightforward. Speaking recently, Ross said: "Certainly, from our planning at the minute, we would like to play the Wycombe game. “When the squads take place and they are announced we will look at it, but if we keep having games postponed over the course of the season it will really make it problematic. “Ideally, we don’t want to keep doing that. We had justification against Blackpool because of the players we had unavailable, but we don’t want to keep doing that. “We will have to assess it when the squads are announced, but certainly my preference is to play that game against Wycombe.” McLaughlin himself said dialogue between the Black Cats and the SFA would be crucial to ensure the best possible outcome. "That is the problem of this division, you don’t get the international breaks off," he said. “At the end of the day, this [Sunderland] is who pays the wages and this is where your real job is. “Of course, it is fantastic to be called up for your country, you want to go there and be involved and do what you can. “If you’re not playing, playing more of a supportive role if you like, and you’re going to be missing key games, there is a decision to be made. "You need to have the conversations and make sure everyone gets the best result. Yourself, your country and the club. “We’ll see what happens with that.” The last international break saw Tom Flanagan and Bryan Oviedo win call-ups, as well as youngsters Bali Mumba and Benji Kimpioka Oviedo has fallen behind Reece James in the pecking order, but Flanagan and McLaughlin have established themselves as vital figures in a defence that has kept four consecutive clean sheets in the league.
Undecided on this to be honest. Would like to think we have enough strength in depth to be able to beat Wycombe but Mclaughlin has been outstanding.
Its a tricky one Momentum, fixture back log, and commercials are arguments to play the game. However, if Reuter starts chucking them in and we lose then its "head on a pole" time
Would want us to play personally. I know it’s a great honour to be called up for your country, but if you no you’re not going to play a single minute then part of me thinks what’s the point? If you’re a fringe player I kind of understand it but if your 4th/5th choice outfield, and 3rd choice in goal then I don’t understand it.
I think I would go for replaying the game at a later date. Cross each bridge when we get there. No need to play games if we are not a full strength. We are in the top two so it's not like we are chasing a pack. We have a good squad and maybe even stronger after January. Long way to go and yes fixtures may pile up towards the end of the season but by then if we are playing games to win the league and promotion....I think the tiredness will be taken over by adrenaline....
Not too fussed either way. First and foremost, Mclaughlin needs to find out if the intention is for him to play. If he will be gonig to sit on the bench then he should just tell them to stick it and play for us. If he will be playing, I think Ruiter has shown himself to be an able enough deputy (in this league, at least).
I think he should go and even if he dosnt get in the squad it’s still a great honour To be selected for your country I think our game will go ahead with Ruiter in goal and other players replacing the Country call ups Jack Ross has stated he wants no more back log of games and I agree. However it remains to be seen if Ross and his dessisions will be correct
I' d use the next two cup games to give Ruiter some much needed game time and play him against Wanderers if we have too. Were on a good run and with a better more settled back four in front of him Ruiter will be better protected than he was last season. Not an easy choice for Ross but so far he hasn't done much wrong decision wise. Over to you Jack.
I dont think there is a dilemma. It's cancelled simple. I disagree with everybody ( so there na na na na). If we lost, Ruiter would be crucified by the fans, the muppets would blame JR for playing it. I understand we dont want a backlog but given the choice that would be mine.
Yeah I'm with Gil on this one. If we have players called up and it will weaken us then cancel the game. No use crying about it afterwards if we drop points. Ok an ideal scenario we play the game and win but if we don't the decision to play the game will fester on and potentially cause a lot more disruption than a mid week game later in the season. Oh that and I do enjoy a mid week home game to attend so my argument is simple. Cancel the bastard.
If its just the one position I say play it, it wont give the understudy much confidence if we cancel, then what happens if he has to play next due to suspension or injury, better all round to show a bit of faith imo.
A team isn't just 11 players and we've already lost loads of 'first teamers' this season but soldiered on. Postponing a first team game because of a few absentees would be a massive kick in the teeth for the 'reserves' trying to get into the team ... postpone the game and you may as well tell them they're not in your plans at all. It also sends out a message, to other teams, that were worried about a lack of strength in depth. We have momentum which, in my opinion, is vital in a promotion push. Show some courage, send out a message and play the game ... who is it we're playing
I agree with this, if we were the usual zero confidence panic ridden mess we have been in recent years I'd be tempted to postpone but that's not the case now. Besides, Ruiter has been fine in the cups and Loovens is a safe choice to fill in for Flanagan. I know he's slow as **** but he's a good player.
