We have the squad for LJ to play the high tempo, high press and mux things up, esp. when injuries are sorted. Right back is our biggest weak spot - ONien is not a natural and needs shifting to midfield when back fit, leaving Conor McG who is so-so, although Sanderson a loan option there. Lets see if LJ can get the rest playing to their strengths, inc blending in the youth. If he can, we don't need to add much else in January....another striker would be it by getting shot of Graham. Wyke night and day turnaround Grigg improving but yet to score. Curry ready to be blended in/off the bench Kimpi injured but could also be a feature. We've stayed in touch with the top as we had the squad but not the manager. Parky was ****ing woeful.
Thats the point, if we play 4 3 3..Wyke, Diamond and Mcgeady are the front 3, Leads and two other CMs, (cannot see Gooch as a CM), it was Power and Scowen yesterday. 4 4 2 means only one of Mcgeady or Diamond, who drop into a midfield 4 and Gooch partners Wyke up front. 09 seems down as a RB, but I think he could be part of a 4 midfield. Its good to have options.. Still let's wait till we are 10 or 15 games in with the new manager, the never ending saga of ownership then may be settled and the Jan window, means some outs and ins (hopefully)
Attack is the best means of defence. Lets go back to basics. 2-3-5 is the way forward. Lets just get all our forwards on and f*ck defence.
There is no sign so far that LJ fancies Graham so he may be the one to give way I think you're right. I'm interested to see what he does with Onien when available but that is months away!
I'd have Burge, O'Nein, Hume, Wright, Willis, Leadbitter, Scowen, Gooch, McGeady, Diamond, Wyke. Maybe Power back in for Gooch for games where we need to be a bit less bold.
From the begining of the season I have said we have strength in depth that few in this league could match, and a few slackers, it was just the fact that the stupid moron in charge either, couldn't or wouldn't see it. The choices now are so obvious that the likes of Gooch and Maguire will have to keep performing at the top of their game to stay in the side, or they will be fighting for a place on the bench, whatever it is win win for LJ, happy days.
The only player out of those injured that I'd definitely have back in is Willis. As his pace will be essential as we have moved to 4 at the back. Hume or McFadzean is not clear cut in my opinion. Gooch ahead of Mcgeady or Diamond is certainly not clear cut and obviously there's Maguire. I'd have 09 ahead of Mclaughlin for attacking purposes but Mclaughlin is doing canny now he's had a run of games and got proper match sharpness. In that right back slot there's also Sanderson but I've not seen enough of him to judge. The good news is with players returning we have got really good options in many positions. Centre mid looking light
he has to get shot of Fatty Graham, surely. Yesterdays problems came down our right side. If he fixes that, I hope he looks to get Onions back into the middle when he's fit again. That should coincide with the need to adress the midfield longer term. Grant and Power will need to be eased out, Leaving us Dobbers, Onions with the energy; Scowen and Neil pulling the strings. but we lack physicality and height. Anyway, all feels like a nice challenge rather than a dire set of problems..
How Graham fits in is impossible to guess, getting him through the door in January will be a feat in itself, and there are certainly be better options for the bench without spending a penny, Maguire,Gooch or Curry on the bench would be my suggestion.
With our very own Edson Arantes do Wyke, Grigg improving, Benji soon to be fit and young Mitch Curry do we need another forward? McGeady, Maguire, Diamond & Gucchi will all chip in a few goals so imo just get Graham out and get some physicality into midfield. An enforcer similar to Catts would suffice.
I'd like to see us be a bit more flexible when playing weaker teams, or teams likely to pack the defence Burge O'Nien Wright Willis Hume Scowen Leadbitter Power Gooch Wyke McGeady Burge O'Nien Wright Willis Hume Scowen Leadbitter Gooch Embleton McGeady Wyke
Harsh to drop Connor Mac from rb IMHO. I'd keep him in and try to get Onien into midfield, possibly for Scowen. Gooch will most likely come back in when fit as Diamonds form will be inconsistent being a young lad, just as Hume's was in his first season. Overall, nice problems to have though.
Im looking forward to see what Feeney has to offer, hes back in training so we should hopefully start hearing his name mentioned more. Hes a left footer, so hopefully he'll be a better option than Flanagan. He's 21, 6 foot 3 and represented England at U17, U18 and U19 level, so he's obviously got abit about him.
I really hope Johnson is a man of his word when he keeps saying a brave new Sunderland and bold because Luke onien when he's back fit would be the ideal midfielder to fit in to Johnson's pressing style of football His natural position is a box to box midfielder and so he should be playing there not at frigging right back for gods sake .......................... Burge............................ Sanderson....... Wright.... Willis.....hume ....................... Leadbitter....................... ................. Onien............power.............. Mcgeady........... Wyke............... Diamond Matthews Flanagan McFadden Maguire Gooch Grigg Scowen
Power was our best player yesterday imo, he hardly put a foot wrong from start to finish, McGeady was a close second, but the game was won by Diamond, not fancied to start by some, even though he was MoM in the previous game, we are a different team when he is up front, that's why I would like to see more players of his ilk on the bench to take the pressure off him when needs must. I would love to see what Neil or Curry would bring to the party as I suspect their involvement could have a similar impact to Diamonds. With this new coach, if he is as good as his word, unlike the previous miscreant, we are in for a very exciting second half to the season..
I'm sure I heard or saw that Lee Johnson wanted a Number 10,8 and 6. Presumably this means, 10 playmaker attacking midfielder, 8 box to box midfielder, 6 holding midfielder linking defensive to attack. Who he sees from the current squad in these roles we shall see.
