Match Day Thread Sunderland v Lincoln City – Saturday 20th March - KO 15:00

I don't think we need to get hung up on a 'strongest XI' or even a set shape, the gaffer likes to tinker depending on the opposition and during the game which is bloody refreshing to see at SAFC . We have an excellent 18 or so and im happy to go with whatever he decides on the day.

Interesting article on Roker Report about the tactics at Accy, found this bit particularly good:

"In Rugby, substitutes are known as replacements. However, England boss Eddie Jones refuses to use this term, preferring to call them his finishers. They see out the game for him and are just as important as those who start."

Worth a read...

 

Really interesting discussion after the accy game about who is our best 11
LJ seems to look at the bigger picture planning games around the whole squad
With different players for different phases or reacting to what the opposition does
Relies on having a very strong squad but for this league I think we have

The players to be fair to them have done really well after 18mths of Parkinson
The changes are phenomenal and they have adapted really quickly

 

Really good read and I think the last line summed it up. Professional, clinical & efficient.

LJ is showing he is quite astute in his tactical nous and his use of subs has been second to none.

 

I suppose it's a new concept to SAFC fans (dare I say) but we need to stop thinking of us being a 'insert formation here' team with a set XI and the same subs coming on for the same players after 60 odd mins. LJ will have stats coming out of his ears about their training intensity, minutes played etc. Ill back his judgement. Look at the top sides, Citeh, chelsea, man utd etc. They all mix it up every week. Happy days imo.

 

Hope us supporters give him time because I think there will be hiccups along the way
This is quite a radical change and I think the wheels may come off occasionally

But the whole new setup is so refreshing and forward thinking
They have a plan and we'll get there and when we do the club will be structured in a way to keep us there
Just need to keep the faith along the way

 

100% spot on.

 

Easter at Southampton when we were losing 1-0 and couldn't get into the game.

Edwards and Leadbitter came up with two goals, from nowhere, and we stole the points.

And the last game when we went to Luton for a party and somehow came back with the title.

 

God forgot about Leadbitter playing then. And scoring crucial goals.
Amazing for him 14 years on and he's part of another revolution at the club

 

Good read
23 games in 10 weeks. That's a ridiculous schedule
amazing LJ has had any time at all on the training pitch to get his ideas across.
and hardly surprising we have had as many injuries.

 

Never realised it was that bad. Thing is as stated before we have good players coming back from injury at a good time.

 

Just seen on SSN that Peterborough are playing Rochdale and Hull playing Shrewsbury tomorrow. Can't see anything other than victories for those 2 so we'll need to keep up the pressure by beating Lincoln which I think will do. I'll go for another 2-0

 

Quite remarkable to get his ideas over. And fair play to the lads for taking it all on board.

 

Incredibly both of them have lost 10 games ....

... and Rochdale just won at Lincoln.

 

cheers again RTB...

winning 'ugly' is the sign of a good team...how often have we heard that over the years?

this squad, along with LJ have found a way to grab wins even when they are not at their best and considering how little time they have had to actually get on the training pitch and work together it is quite outstanding.

so i am again just going to sit back and let them work the magic, we have played and beaten the 'form' teams lately so no reason to fear anyone.

 

Whilst inclined to agree at least Hull are away from home. Hoping the Shrews can nick a point.

 

Absolutely spot on the text in that tweet. Over the last few weeks, we’ve played in some poor games (understatement). Wednesday was an awful game of football. But, in a perverse way, I really enjoyed it. That and a few others previously (aside from the fantastic Portsmouth performance). Not great games, but doing what needed to be done. Something we’ve been incapable of since relegation to this division.

Have saud multiple times that the only thing which matters to me is winning. Performance is nice to have, 3 points is need to have.

 

The Presser:
https://safc.com/news/team-news/2021/march/lincoln/mcallister-presser-lincoln-home

Stewart 1 game 1 goal 1 medal brilliant

"Denver Hume is ticking off the training sessions and it's great for us that he's back," McAllister said.
"He's looking good, looking strong.
"He has been out for a while though and he does need games.
"So it's whether he does that through in-house games, which we're trying to arrange for next week, or whether he plays some minutes against Crystal Palace for the U23s next week.
"That's another option and we're looking at all of that at the moment.
"It's just case of topping up and keeping him injury free because he will be a big bonus for us when he comes back."
Sunderland are expecting to go into Saturday's clash with Lincoln City with the same squad as they had for the 2-0 win over Accrington Stanley on Wednesday evening.
Aiden O'Brien is back in light training but the visit of Michael Appleton's side will is expected to come too soon for the Irishman.
Tom Flanagan is around three weeks from returning, and while Jordan Jones and Bailey Wright are making progress, it seems likely at this stage that they will be out of action for at least another week.
"Aiden O'Brien is closer than Jordan and Bailey," McAllister said.
"Those two are probably in the same category. They've both done a good bike session today, they've been doing a lot of pool work and strengthening work.
"They're not back on the grass yet."

 

the teams around us are losing to people all over the place.

Just got to keep winning our games obviously but the last few weeks results have been going in our favour in all directions

 

Yeah
They are also picking up injuries and don't have strong squads.
Lincoln have lost Tom Hopper & Jorge Grant for the rest of the season - two of their best players.