If we play a promotion rival people will say they're in form and it will be a tough game. If we play a team in relegation trouble people will say they're fighting for their lives and it'll be a tough game. If we're up against a team with nothing at stake people will say the pressure's off them and it'll be a tough game I think we're in for a tough game ... ... but we almost always find a way to score and goals win games. This is what the Watford fans think ... https://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/afc-sunderland-v-watford-fc-29-05-2023.60198/
Individually they have some really talented players. Im not really sure how and why its all gone wrong down there for them.
I am guessing... but not sure how players feel about having a revolving door policy when it comes to the team manager. As each new manager comes in...new systems..different formations and different players being favoured...etc etc
They are an unhappy bunch mind. Baffling carry on down there. Unless I've missed a lot, they seem to have some really good players. Owt could happen here. Maybe some of these players will fancy it in front of a big crowd and put on a show or maybe they'd just rather not be there. Think we'll win this one though.
They are expecting us to roll them over, low confidence, zero team spirit, revolting fans - bring it on
That's my only worry tbh. Playing at Wigan, in a half empty stadium, might just be a case of going through the motions ... ... but this will be a huge occasion in a packed and noisy stadium, probably the biggest crowd some have ever faced. Fortunately we now have young players who don't freeze as so many of our teams have done in the past. I'm confident that we'll put in another good performance but football is unpredictable. We were much the better team on Sunday but could've lost to some disgraceful cheating by West Brom and a gullible referee. Whatever happens I believe they'll be cheered of the pitch after the effort they've put in and how they've never given up ... ... I hope people don't leave to 'beat the traffic' so they can get into their Saturday night armchair a little bit earlier.
As we are seeing at Spurs, Chelsea and Bin-Dippers - having good players is only part of the puzzle, Getting them to play together as a team is the rest. The barcodes have a largely average team, but they are playing together and taking advantage of the bigger clubs having crap seasons
I think the team we had under Bruce for a short period. bent, gyan, Henderson, zenden, malbranque, sess was as good as the mags currently, although we might have been a bit behind in the defensive department. If Liverpool and Chelsea had half normal seasons, the mags would have finished 5th or 6th
Correct. Them getting CL may be a blessing in disguise as their squad gets stretched by the extra games and their league form falls away for a bottom half finish (please)
To be fair, they’ve recruited well and you’d expect them to improve further in the summer. If they manage to get CL, I think they will be there to stay. Eddie Howe has done a great job, good to see an English manager doing well, just a shame it’s with them.
TBH I've forgotten about them now. I have Mag relatives and we used to talk about football and the rivalry, that's all gone now ... ... if the Saudis had bought Spurs or Everton they'd be in the same position. Same owners, different location. It's just a franchise now, identity wiped out in one season.
I'm in the same position. They've gone as a club, they almost all know it. It's an inescapable truth.
Same. Zero bamter from in-laws/cousins these days. They know, they just don't want to admit it - club is run from Riyhad/London now. Nothing to do with the NE any more apart from the stadium location
I keep wondering if we really need Pritchard ... ... then I'm amazed how involved he always seems to be, West Brom included when he made the winner.
Agree also forgot how involved Embelton was early in the season, another big miss slightly under the radar compared to others.
He's not had the obvious impact this year compared to last in terms of goals and assists but he's still an important player. You can see him talking a lot on the pitch, encouraging us up the pitch and to press the opponents. it's clear he is also an important voice in the dressing room. Going to be an interesting decision regarding his contract this summer.....
Agreed. Embo can play a variety of positions, I actually think he is better as a 6/8 than a 10, or on the wing. He would have been invaluable in recent weeks alongside Neil
Bloody good player. Not sure he has 90 mins in his legs mind, but careful use of him always seems to help.
