Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Sheffield United FC – Wednesday 1st January 2025 - KO 20:00

Neil is apparently fit for tonight

 

Watford losing. Would be a good result for us.

 

Would be huge. All about consolidating that play-off place for us.

 

You can't just throw a bunch of kids, or players you don't rate onto the pitch though. People seem to think we'd have beaten Blackburn, or drawn with Stoke if RLB had brought players on, but if they can't work within his system why would he use them? It's the injuries/lack of squad depth that is killing us.

 

1-2. Isidor for us. We struggle to create against poor sides so I don't see that changing against a good defensive side. I expect a tight game though as we've been in every game this season but think the quality of Hamer and O'Hare in the attacking areas will edge it for them. Interested to see the lineup mainly to see who RLB trusts in the 3rd midfield spot against a good side.

 

yeh I’m not necessarily criticising. We are where we are in the league. Every decision has a pro and a con. A pro of our lack of subs is that our key players have been delivering. A con is we risk over exerting them.

It’s up to RLB and his medical staff to find the right balance. If we end the season in the playoffs and with our players having improved, job done.

 

I don’t think we score tonight and if I’m honest I see a real risk of 0-3 or 0-4.

I’m often a pessimist though and I hate New Year’s Day, and I hate 8pm kick offs even more because I struggle to sleep after them. So everyone can ignore my grumpiness today.

 

Christ, I thought I was the negative one

 

I just can’t see us creating against one of the best defences in the league without Mundle. Wilder will have them set up to nullify Roberts and he won’t have Rigg with him to help double up. The left will be fruitless as well with Alese instead of Cirkin.

Our defence has looked shaky against set pieces recently and Sheff Utd are good from them.

Just all the ingredients.

Would absolutely love it if at 10pm you’re all taking the piss out of me.

 

I think it will be 2-1 either way. We cannot keep a clean sheet, but we do usually have an eye for goal. If it's Roberts and Alese coming back in today and Neil is fit then I feel a bit more optimistic. Sheff Utd have a few injuries too and I haven't been that impressed with them of late. Having said that, they keep finding ways to accumulate points.

 

forgot they had Souttar out. That changes things slightly

 

I do get what you’re saying like. I believe they’ve got a better team than us so it’s hard to fancy our chances. You never know though, we’ve been very good at home so far this season.

 

They've got 5 or 6 out including Campbell who I think is their top scorer

 

2-0 now

 

We can take the piss out of you from half nine

 

Cirkin will be fine whenever he gets a settled left winger in front of him,

 

I’m quietly confident. Think AA and Roberts can cause problems and RLB will know where we’re struggling

1-0 to the lads. Defence back to their usual form

 

Ballard a big miss at set pieces both ends of the pitch

 

Definitely. Would’ve had him in ahead of O’Nien tonight, never mind