Exactly. I understand the caution to ensure the play-off place,but we really need to build some attacking momentum from here and not sleep walk our way till the end of the season. As I said earlier, I'd rather see us concede 4, if we score 5 ,every match from here. We have nothing to lose by letting these lads go out and play.
I’ve think most of the crowd would accept a 4-5 defeat if it got the place on its feet tbh … … all RLB has to say is ‘we’re trying a few new things’ and job done. We have players like Rigg, Mayenda, Isidor, Enzo, Roberts, etc so let them loose this week.
Think that’s him. I just remember that he put it about that Sunderland were interested in him and he may even have come up for talks, but never had any intention of leaving Swansea.
That's him.....he's now reached the pinnacle of his career as an occasional pundit on Final Score,hosted by a strange Welshman,alongside luminaries like Rachel Brown-Finnis, Stephen Warnock and Dion Dublin,who has developed an unhealthy obsession with mouldy houses!
This series is here for you to share your story about why you support Sunderland AFC. What makes following the Club so special to you? Is there a specific moment that stands out? We’d love to hear from you! Send your 300-word entry – along with photographs – to [email protected] and we’ll look to share as many as we can throughout the 2024-25 season. "I had no connection to Sunderland when I first started supporting the Club. I still don’t know exactly why it began, but I had a team picture as a young boy - which I’ve since lost - and I associate that with becoming a supporter. Maybe it was the beautiful name, or the iconic red and white stripes that drew me in. I have a few newspaper clippings about Sunderland from 1980, when I was eight years old, so that’s the year I say I became a fan. Back then, highlights from selected First Division matches were shown on TV, and Saturdays were always exciting - first waiting for the results, and then later hoping to see Sunderland’s highlights from the previous weekend, which happened every now and then. In 1986, I got the address of the Supporters’ Association from Shoot magazine and went on to buy my first Sunderland kit. That was with help from George W. Forster, who I’ve been in contact with ever since. I remember wearing that kit with pride as a teenager in Stykkishólmur, a small town in the western part of Iceland. I always dreamt of visiting Sunderland and watching a match at Roker Park - and that dream finally came true in 1994, when I visited with a friend from upper-secondary school, who is a Wolves fan. We attended Sunderland vs Tranmere and then Wolves vs Sunderland on an unforgettable trip. That first visit to Roker Park was incredible; to finally be at the ground I had seen so often on TV and in pictures was surreal. Being 2-0 up after three minutes and going on to win made it a perfect first matchday experience. I’ve been coming to Sunderland regularly ever since, and it’s always a joy to return. I’ve made some great friends here, and the people are incredibly welcoming. I’m coming over for International Fans’ Day, and I’m really looking forward to meeting other international fans - and to finally seeing my local friends again." ⁃ Bernharð Antoniussen, Sunderland AFC supporter from Iceland.
Hopefully we can play better than the Norwich game and get the 3 points to guarantee 4th place. be interesting to see if RLB changes it more since play off are secure
I think he will... “Tommy is OK. Now it's just a question of level, improvements and connection with the competition,” Le Bris said when asked about the winger after the game against Norwich City at Carrow Road in the Championship on Tuesday evening. “You always need time to build self-confidence, your level, your references with your teammates and the opponent as well. We have to remember he built these references progressively before his injury. Now he needs time because this competition is tough.” Asked if Watson was set to play an important role between now and the end of the season, Le Bris added: “I hope so. Absolutely.” “At the weekend, it was a decision purely connected with the game," Le Bris said after the West Brom game. "That was the dynamic, and the choice we had to make as a coach and a staff. Tommy is available and connected with the team. He is a Sunderland player, and is motivated to be promoted at the end of the season. I have no worries over him and, for the next stage of the season, Tommy will be a Sunderland player to the end and I am really confident about using him as a left winger, a right winger or even in other positions until the end of the season.” With Sunderland's place in the top six now all but secured, Le Bris also confirmed his intention to rotate his starting XI more regularly in the weeks ahead. It looks as if there will be changes at Carrow Road on Tuesday night and more in the games ahead as Le Bris manages his squad over the hectic Easter schedule. “The core of the group is still small, but we are in a very good place and we can manage to rotate a little bit more now," Le Bris said. "We can manage that rotation and maybe give some experiences to some of the young players. Maybe it is possible to rotate the squad a little bit more."
I'm all for rotating the squad but not too many changes in one go, as we saw on Tuesday it can have a detrimental effect. Also please no more Aleksic on the right, its not good for him as an individual or us as a team. I'd like to see either Aleksic or ELF in the middle (although ELF will likely be on the left due to injuries) probably with Rigg dropping to the bench, coming on later as an impact sub.
Thanks RTB, another belter of a thread. Chance to maybe try some players a bit more. I am not usually a fan of rotating and I dont buy the fatigue thing as much as others. But we have players who might well benefit from some extra minutes come the play offs. I really like the look of Harrison Jones. That yellow the other night was smart. Could he get a start alongside one of Neil or Jobe? Aleksic had a poor game and Roberts is the main man down that side. Could Aleksic get a game or two as an 8? Watson was canny I thought early second half, he carried us forward and put himself about. Hope he keeps his spot because we need balance in the wide areas. Wonder if we give Hume and Onien a break at some point. I wouldnt mind seeing Browne at RB again to keep him sharp there. Need to find a smiling Wilson again as well so do we play 2 up front for a change up? Patterson Browne, Mepham, Onien, Hjelde Robert, Jones, Jobe, Watson Mayenda, Isidor (Moore, Rigg, Hume, Aleksic, Neil etc) Give Jones and Aleksic half each.
Should make for an entertaining match, play offs secured and Swansea are safe, I would still keep Le Fee on the bench and give him the second half, maybe rest Rigg. Anyway RLB knows what he’s doing ill leave that to him 3-1 to the lads
About Watson, it may be the cynic in me but if you need to build self confidence just after you've signed for a Premier League team in your first year of proper football there's something wrong
Have to agree with you regarding Harrison Jones, although he wasn't on the pitch that long, he didn't look out of place - I was quite impressed with him. He had the shed of thought to see that the Norwich player was getting away from him and had a clear run at the defense so took one for the team - he's been taught well and has the speed of thought to do that
You don’t get any more of a must win home game for me 4th spot sealed and a performance in the sun HA’WAY THE LADS
Thanks for a great thread once again RTB last game on Saturday before I’m away back to work but I’ll make the last game of the season so happy days looking forward to Saturday nice bit of sunshine and hopefully a good performance,its a nice feeling not being stressed going into the last few games don’t envy RLB having to juggle between resting players and still keeping them ticking over but in Reg I trust 2-0 to the lads COME ON
