May go against the grain here but he's been ****e. Could be a blessing. Rodwell has looked way better keeping the ball. I want him playing with Ndong until hopefully M'Villa comes in. Sick of us giving possession away and Hoff has been one of the main offenders this season. Wayward passing, 2nd best in every challenge, weak with headers, lack of work rate. At the moment every other option offers more imo.
He has been poor but that will partially have been due to missing a big chunk. Playing through it would be the best solution I'd have thought, not another spell out
Pienaar, Catts, N'Dong, Rodwell and McNair should all be available for Stoke. That's 5 for 3 midfield slots all better options than the Hoff at the moment imo
Ive just read Kirchoff has only started 51 games in the last 6years due to his never ending injury problems. Thats pretty shocking really. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...sunderland-afc-jan-kirchhoffs-injury-11979404
This is a chance to change the formation IMO. It's a blow, but may actually be a blessing in disguise. If we switch to a 3 centre halves, with two wing backs, you don't necessarily need the shield that Kirchoff provides as much as playing a flat 4. It'll enable N'Dong to go and collect the ball from the CBs while also being more mobile alongside Rodwell or another centre mid. Play Khazri in front of those two and then probably Watmore and Defoe up top, and if he ever gets fit, Anichebe in order to take the burden off Defoe.
[QU="Bri OBE, post: 9773851, member: 1023141"]Pienaar, Catts, N'Dong, Rodwell and McNair should all be available for Stoke. That's 5 for 3 midfield slots all better options than the Hoff at the moment imo[/QUOTE] Play ALL five,with a back four, two in front of the back four (Catts and Rodwell) and the other three behind defoe. Have Watmore on the bench as an impact sub,along with Gooch,Onion Bahji and Asoro. We must get back to firstly keeping a clean sheet,then we need others to chip in with the odd goal or two
Not enough width for me like. Wouldn't drop Watmore either. He's one of our most productive players in the last couple of games. He started the season badly but can't knock him recently.
If we play 3 at the back in the next game I'd play N'Dong and Rodwell in midfield, with Khazri in the No. 10 role and Watmore up front with Defoe (or pehaps both Watmore and Khazri tucked in behind Defoe). If we continue with a back four, I'd play Cattermole as the deep lying midfielder, with N'Dong and Rodwell ahead of him. In both scenarios, McNair and Pienaar should be options from the bench to add energy and a calm head respectively, depending on how the game pans out.
