There could be a massive change in the way things look tomorrow. A win would put us on 20 points with 16 games left to play ........ a point per game could just see us safe if my opinion although I reckon we'll end up closer to 40. We have Stoke at home next, after Southampton, which must be one of Poyet's 'most winnable' games I'd have thought. The other 'must win' games, for me, are Hull, West Brom, West Ham & Cardiff which, if we beat Southampton or Stoke, would put us on 32 points. Chuck in a couple of our 'shocks' like Man City at home and Everton away and we're there. I said a while back that the game against Cardiff, on the 26th of April and 3 from the end, will be the day we stay up. I also said that we will relegate Cardiff on that day and that there'll be trouble at the game. I'm sticking with those predictions/guesses.
Cup fever seems to have hit this board ............ today's match seems to have taken a back seat. The good news, for me, is that Osvaldo is out & Wanayama probably won't play. The bad news is that the media will use their absence to tarnish our win if we beat them. The crowd seem to have grasped our new style of play and we're not expecting the ball in their box all the time. This has 1-0 written all over it for me, Haway Lads!!!
To be honest I'm happy for the media to do what they want so long as we win today AND Wednesday. Of they say we are out of the relegation places and into a Wembley Final by 5pm today and 10pm Wednesday I'll be one giddy, giggly middle aged fella.
Sunderland AFC have confirmed that cash turnstiles will be in operation ahead of this weekend’s Barclays Premier League clash with Southampton. The Saints head to Wearside on Saturday 18 January for the early 12.45pm kick-off when Gus Poyet’s side will aim to make it a hat-trick of consecutive home victories. Turnstiles 13 and 14 will be in operation from 11.15am on the day of the game with admission priced at £30. Advanced tickets remain on sale priced from £25 for adults, £19 for over 65s and £10 for under 16s. Tickets are available in person from the Stadium of Light ticket office which will be open until 5.30pm today (Friday) and again from 10am until kick-off on the day of the game. Tickets are also available 24 hours a day by calling the credit card hotline on 0871 911 1973 or by visiting the online ticket office. Supporters who purchase tickets online can use the free print at home service to avoid matchday collection queues.
TBH I would take 3 points today and lose Wednesday...I do recall the Norwich Milk Cup and the Liverpool FA cup and yes it would be great to go to the 'New Wembley'. However I want to avoid relegation and do not want to be one of those teams that do well/win one of the cups and get relegated. I also do not care one jot that Fanta is on his bike, but I do want Short to loosen purse strings and bring in a quality striker and midfielder. I do like the looks of this new left back, Dossa is okay but a bit slow and does not also stop crosses. I will be leaving in a few minutes for the match and I have to confess for this game I am as nervous as I have been for ages...a home win would be so important to survival. But the table as they say does not lie we have made a poor start to the season and Southampton have made a good start to the season..so fingers crossed and all prayers to all gods and ley all omens be good.
Sunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, Alonso, Ki, Brown, O'Shea (C), Cattermole, Larsson, Johnson, Borini, Altidore Subs: Gardner, Fletcher, Celustka, Pickford, Colback, Giaccherini, Roberge Southampton: Boruc, Chambers, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw, Cork, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Lallana (c), Rodriguez, Lambert Subs: K. Davis (GK), Clyne, Yoshida, RamÃrez, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Hooiveld
Another chance for Altidore.. Larsson playing, wonder if his agent bleats on again about lack of playing time.
Live Audio: Sunderland v Southampton Published: 18 January, 2014 by SAFSee Listen to live and exclusive online commentary. Listen to live audio commentary for FREE with SAFSee as Sunderland take on Southampton at the Stadium of Light. Our coverage is fronted by BBC Newcastle's Nick Barnes and former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett. Click Play above or log in/register to access the commentary stream. Coverage will begin at approximately 12 noon. SAFSee is completely free to use - no subscriptions, no charges! Sign up now using your email address - find out more! http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2014/january/live-matchday-audio
I'm happy enough with that against a team like Southampton. The bench could have a big say in this game when Southampton start to tire ........ having Fletcher, Colback & Giaccherini to come on around 60 minutes could turn a draw into a win. I reckon it'll be a very cagey first hour and I can't see there being many goals.
Altidore and Larsson should never be anywhere near our starting 11. I'm still sticking with my prediction of a tight, hard fought 1-1 draw. Won't be to unhappy with that either..
They are big lads the saints and Altidore will be there to help defend set proved I reckon. Yes AJ should take preference on free kicks.
...I'm such a ****in numbnuts at times looking for a live stream and just realised its live on BT Sport ... so I switched the telly on
