I think Bri has taken a bit of time off, so just wanted to start a match thread. There's no detail here, so yeah it is shoite compared to Bri's typically excellent threads, but up for dialogue. Both Lawro and the Merse have us down to lose. Hopefully they'll get our result wrong like they usually do. Hopefully we come out, play well and perform. with a bit of luck and a little less pressure I'm hoping to sneak a win.
We should win bit you know what happens when we "should" win. Still hoping for 3 points but a point away from home wouldn't be to bad imo..
If available id start the same team that played against Man United with maybe Colback in for Larsson if It was upto me :-/ This is a must win game for them and we can use that to our advantage. I actually think we are better away from home atm in the league,.we just need that goal scoring touch.
Fulham Vs Sunderland Official Sunderland Not606 Match Thread please log in to view this image Craven Cottage please log in to view this image Match Appointments Referee: Mike Dean Assistants: J Collin,D Cann Forth Official: L Collins Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has urged his side to carry their cup form over into the Premier League, starting with Saturday's visit to relegation rivals Fulham. The Black Cats gave themselves a chance of qualifying for the Capital One Cup final with a 2-1 home win over Manchester United in the first leg of their last-four tie, but they remain bottom of the top flight. Fulham have moved out of the relegation zone since the appointment of new head coach Rene Meulensteen, and the return of former favourite Clint Dempsey on a short-term loan deal is sure to boost their battle against the drop Fulham Team News Dempsey is in line to make his first Premier League start since leaving Tottenham in the summer, and could play a supporting role to Dimitar Berbatov. Sascha Riether, Philippe Senderos and John Arne Riise could all be restored in defence, while Steve Sidwell and Scott Parker will probably be included in the Fulham engine room after being given a weekend off. Brede Hangeland remains the only senior player currently in the treatment room with Fulham boasting a near fully fit squad. Sunderland Team News With winning momentum on his agenda, Poyet may stick with the majority of the starting XI that surprised the Red Devils in midweek, with new signing Marcos Alonso poised to continue at left back. Steven Fletcher has been passed fit, while Adam Johnson's impact off the bench at the Stadium of Light may earn him a start at the expense of Emanuele Giaccherini. Last 4 Meetings [table="width: 500, class: grid, align: center"] [tr] [td]Season[/td] [td]Date[/td] [td]Home[/td] [td]Score[/td] [td]Away[/td] [td]Competition[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]2013/2014[/td] [td]Sat 17 Aug[/td] [td]Sunderland[/td] [td]0-1[/td] [td]Fulham[/td] [td]Premier League[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]2012/2013[/td] [td]Sat 02 Mar[/td] [td]Sunderland[/td] [td]2-2[/td] [td]Fulham[/td] [td]Premier League[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]2012/2013[/td] [td]Sun 18 Nov[/td] [td]Fulham[/td] [td]1-3[/td] [td]Sunderland[/td] [td]Premier League[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]2011/2012[/td] [td]Sun 06 May[/td] [td]Fulham[/td] [td]2-1[/td] [td]Sunderland[/td] [td]Premier League[/td] [/tr] [/table] What the 'Experts' Say please log in to view this image Lawrenson Sunderland rode their luck a little bit against Manchester United on Tuesday but ended up with a really good win in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final. It is back to reality for the Black Cats now in their relegation fight and it is these games that are the important ones for them, against another struggling team. The Cottagers have shaken up their entire coaching setup with the arrivals of Alan Curbishley and now Ray Wilkins to join manager Rene Meulensteen. After getting thrashed 6-0 by Hull, they bounced back well to beat West Ham in their last league outing, and another home win here would be huge for them. Sunderland are still down amongst the dead men but, since Gus Poyet took charge in October, they have not been that bad. The Black Cats have been playing OK and have been competitive in games, but their big problem is that they look goal-shy. They seem to have to make an awful lot of chances to get a goal and that means they make things very difficult for themselves. Lawro's prediction: 2-0 Merson This is another massive game, absolutely huge. Sunderland will wish they could take their cup form into league games because they've won six in a row. That sort of form would put them in the top half! However, I think Fulham are homers. They turn it on at Craven Cottage, as we saw in their massive game against West Ham after they'd been absolutely hammered by Hull. They followed that up with a decent result at Norwich in the FA Cup and overall I think they are a completely different animal at home. I predict a home win and that will put Sunderland majorly in trouble. PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 Stats n Facts Fulham have kept six clean sheets in their last nine Premier League meetings with Sunderland (W4 D4 L1). Sunderland remain the only team in the bottom eight not to have won a game against a fellow side currently in that section of the Premier League table. Fulham have conceded a league-high 18 Premier League goals at home this term. Betting please log in to view this image Links please log in to view this image
So team for the weekend Hmmm Danone McBardo JOS Broon Alonso Blondie Catts Ki Borini Fletch Giacc Bench: Dixon/Pickford?, Roberge, Celutska, Colback, Johnno, Jozy, Ji
please log in to view this image sorry about this, it was the nicest image i could find of the ****hole
Bri does a great job tbh Here are my 'match day straws' to grasp. Fulham have lost more games than Sunderland in the league. They have a worse goal difference, have conceded 42 to our 33 & conceded more at home than us. Their recent home win against West Ham was achieved when Nolan was sent off, before half time, when the match was level. Their defence was shocking when they conceded 6 at Hull, had 2 on target shots and gained 1 corner in 90 minutes. Sunderland have won 4 & drawn 3 of their last 8 league & cup games, losing only 1
Sunderland squad must be on a high atm with good results against stronger sides than Fulham -I reckon (hope) this will the turning point where we start our scrap for PL survival ... 2 nil win for us and Jozy to get on the score sheet
This is definitely a game which I would normally have penciled in to attend, but with just having had to fork out £160.00 on tickets for the Man U away match, and that's before travel arrangements, I will be missing out on this one and making my way to the Prior to watch it on TV instead..
I would like to see young watmore and Ba on the bench. I would give Johnson a start to see if he is up for it. Colback for Larsson as Colback is better defensively and neither really offer anything up front.
I was offered the free transport when I got the tickets mate, but I'm not one for travelling by the strict nature that goes with official away travel. I will be probably go down in either a mates car or by the unofficial Shields Branch buses who always get you there in very good time for a few pints..
Just picked up some hot breaking news from The Mirror, Provisional squad: Mannone, Pickford, Celustka, Dossena, Alonso, Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Diakite, Roberge, Cattermole, Gardner, Ki, Giaccherini, Johnson, Larsson, Ba, Karlsson, Mavrias, Colback, Fletcher, Altidore, Borini. I reckon I should start doing these match threads
