Team for Brighton

[Keane prods the giant]

would swap sess and larsson because yesterday larsson was very poor on the left!

I would leave them as i have them, because i don't think Larsson was poor on the left. I thought he did very well, albeit i'd prefer a proper left winger.

We've no pace coming from the midfield (we can't really include Elmo, because he's not very good), which is important in this league. It's be the 1st thing i'd do as manager is put Sess on the right wing, we may as well have ONE wing sorted. I think it's important Gardner is played. That applies to the league, too. Gardner made two forward passes to the wings yesterday which he seen in an instant. Colback and Catts, for all that they were tidy and got stuck in, would never have made those passes. That sort of play from Gardner will make all the difference.

 

[murray out]

*Mag opinion alert*

I'd only put Wickham on in the match if you guys already have a comfortable lead. If things don't go to plan, then Wickhams two VERY first games for Sunderland as the main goal provider will be losing the derby and getting knocked out of the cup. For an 18 year old lad fresh from the Championship, I think that'll really dent his confidence hard and could set his development back by quite a while.

Might win with him of course, but it's very risky.

bloody hell chappaz why don't you apply for the manager's job when Bruce gets sacked mate, once again i agree with you

 

[Lostinvegas]

Westwood
Elmo bramble brown Colback
Larson Gardener Vaugn Richardson
Gyan Ji

I would rest Sess he is our best player and we don't want him injured. Gyan needs game time and so does Bramble which is why I have put them in. Bramble will benefit from playing with Brown.

I would have Wickham and McClean in the bench with the view the bring them on, I've left Catts out because we don't want accumulating too many cards this early on.

 

[mackemsteve]

westwood

elmo brown oshea ricco

vaughan

larsson colback gardner sess

gyan

with vaughan sitting in front of the back four gives the chanve for our two full backs to bomb forward and also allows gardner to get forward too. 2nd half if we winning comfortably we can bring on whickham and mcclean to have a go

 

[Mr-SAFC]

Catts and Colback have had two strong games IMO Colback especially and it would be a massive shame to see him dropped. Gardner has to start though but I've got no idea who he'd come in for.

Larsson is wasted on the left. He is a RIGHT winger with a deadly RIGHT foot. Moving him to accommodate the suspect Elmo is foolish.

I also think a Vaughan type player is what we are crying out for as well as Ji/Wickham to support Gyan, who's place should be under threat after a terrible game yesterday.

 

[MackemsRule]

Westwood
Anton Brown O'Shea/Bramble COLBACK!

Larsson Gardner Catts Sess


Gyan Whickham/Ji


I was impressed the short time Colback was at LB he watched the play, stayed goal side of the attacker and actually tackled and won the ball. And when he passes the ball he usually passes to one of our players. (all things Ricco fails miserably at! After re-watching the match I noticed Ricco couldn't even pass the ball to a Sunderland player when taking the throw ins FFS!)

As for all the carp about Whickham losing confidence if we get beat again.
If that's the case he doesn't deserve the huge wages he is on!

 

[Poyet's Eleven]

For me he has to play Gyan, just for match fitness and he can maybe get a goal or 2 to boost his confidence.

Not sure if O`Shea is fit for it or not, but why not try Wickham on the left as he played there for Ipswich last season.

-------Westwood-----
Brown--Bramble--Turner--O`Shea
Larsson--Colback--Gardner--Wickham
------------Sess------
-----Gyan---------

Subs = Mig, Anton, Elmo, Cats, Noble, Richardson, Ji.

No ****ing way mate, no point playing the lad out of position, he needs to settle in and gain some confidence.

I'm referring to Wickham btw. Two up front for me Ji and Gyan, let Gyan get some goals, if we're winning bring on Wickham, mistake by Bruce putting him on with hardly any time to go in the match with the unhappy crowd desperate for a goal.

 

[blackcatsteve]

But he isnt out of position thats the whole point, he played 12 games + there last season for Ipswich and where he scored his goals from, yes we would all like him to be a striker, and he can play there as well, but by no means is he out of position for him, and it may take some of the pressure of him being the focal point to our attack away from him.

and Bruce looks like he is hell bent on playing Sess behing Gyan so this will give them another week to try to gel together.

 

[Poyet's Eleven]

But he isnt out of position thats the whole point, he played 12 games + there last season for Ipswich and where he scored his goals from, yes we would all like him to be a striker, and he can play there as well, but by no means is he out of position for him, and it may take some of the pressure of him being the focal point to our attack away from him.

and Bruce looks like he is hell bent on playing Sess behing Gyan so this will give them another week to try to gel together.

Possibly but I really do not see him playing well and I see fans getting on his back which will be bad, maybe LW if things are going well, but starting him with fans expecting a win after our showing yesterday will put too much pressure on him, he's only 18!

 

[blackcatsteve]

But why wont he play well? he is an £8 million rising to 13 million I believe player, OK there isnt that many 18 yr olds that set the world on fire, and I cant see Wickham doing a Lukaka/Rooney/Messi in his first season with us, but he still may surprise us in a League cup game, against lower league opponents.

And how long are we going to hide him for? till he is 22 and more mature, this is the best time to get him in for me (I am starting to sound like Keane) and anyone that does get on his back, needs to take a long hard look at themselves for me, especially after just a few games, there are plenty players, and some a lot older than Wickham that struggle in the PL, but he needs games, he needs to feel the pressure, to become a better player imho, no good hiding him away in cotton wool, he will never amount to anything that way.

 

[Poyet's Eleven]

Anyway my team would be:
Westwood
Brown-Anton-Bramble-O'Shea
Larsson-Gardener-Vaughan-Sess
Ji-Gyan

Wickham to come on if things are going well.

 

[MackemsRule]

But why wont he play well? he is an £8 million rising to 13 million I believe player, OK there isnt that many 18 yr olds that set the world on fire, and I cant see Wickham doing a Lukaka/Rooney/Messi in his first season with us, but he still may surprise us in a League cup game, against lower league opponents.

And how long are we going to hide him for? till he is 22 and more mature, this is the best time to get him in for me (I am starting to sound like Keane) and anyone that does get on his back, needs to take a long hard look at themselves for me, especially after just a few games, there are plenty players, and some a lot older than Wickham that struggle in the PL, but he needs games, he needs to feel the pressure, to become a better player imho, no good hiding him away in cotton wool, he will never amount to anything that way.

This

Plus going from long experience if the lad gives 100% he will get 100% back from the fans.
IMHO he would have to be very bad over a very long period for the fans to start getting on his back.
Admittedly I haven't seen a lot of the lad apart from some goal highlights, but am I wrong in thinking he doesn't look to have the pace for the wing?

 

[Poyet's Eleven]

But why wont he play well? he is an £8 million rising to 13 million I believe player, OK there isnt that many 18 yr olds that set the world on fire, and I cant see Wickham doing a Lukaka/Rooney/Messi in his first season with us, but he still may surprise us in a League cup game, against lower league opponents.

And how long are we going to hide him for? till he is 22 and more mature, this is the best time to get him in for me (I am starting to sound like Keane) and anyone that does get on his back, needs to take a long hard look at themselves for me, especially after just a few games, there are plenty players, and some a lot older than Wickham that struggle in the PL, but he needs games, he needs to feel the pressure, to become a better player imho, no good hiding him away in cotton wool, he will never amount to anything that way.

True but I think striker would be where I'd play him. We haven't see him play a full 90 minutes in his actual position and I'm personally such of playing players in positions they're not fully comfortable in.

 

[Mackemneil]

-----------Westwood---------------
Anton--Brown--Bramble--Colback
---Larsson--Vaughan--Gardner---
Sessegnon---------------------JDW
-----------------Gyan---------------


assuming O'Shea is not yet fit enough to play!

 

[blackcatsteve]

Well its only a Liverpool Blog, may be better asking the Ipswich fans, and this is before we bought him.

Connor Wickham
Age: 18
Height: 1.91m
First team games: Ipswich (CC): 65 games, 13 goals
Best club achievements: Above
International level: England U21: 3 games, 0 goals. U19: 4 games, 1 goal. U17: 13 games, 9 goals.
Strengths: Tall, pacy, strong, relatively very experienced, good finishing, can play left wing.
Verdict: Has been in a first team environment for much longer, and has played consistently at a higher level for club and ccountry than most of our other prospects. He is the player most physically ready for the first team, and he is probably the player with the greatest potential, just ahead of Pacheco.

For me it is clear: Wickham is a top talent, and probably even better than what we have at the club already. Extremely fast for a big player (he is the same height as Andy Carroll) he has the raw potential to be a top quality centre forward in the future.

Despite his hefty pricetag, I hope we pay up. Able to compliment Carroll, Ngog or Morgan as a striking partner and giving variety to our forward options, signing Wickham would ensure strength for the future in the striking department.

But i have read on a couple of other pages that yes, he has pace.

source: http://paisleygates.com/?p=4928

 

[Poyet's Eleven]

He's right footed though, right? Don't see him effective. But I wouldn't mind him up front to start.

I wasn't aware of him playing LW for ITFC.

 

[blackcatsteve]

is Niko Kranjčar not a right footed left winger as well though?

Wickham does look predominantly right footed, but 2 of his goals were left footed, so maybe he is one of these players blessed with 2 good feet (I havnt really seen enough of him though to say 100% if he is or not).

And i only really said Wickham there, as some members have said Mclean, surely Wickham would be better on the LW as he has more experience there, than Mclean who I have to be honest, I know very little about (he may be outstanding, but i dont have a clue)

 

[Poyet's Eleven]

is Niko Kranjčar not a right footed left winger as well though?

Wickham does look predominantly right footed, but 2 of his goals were left footed, so maybe he is one of these players blessed with 2 good feet (I havnt really seen enough of him though to say 100% if he is or not).

And i only really said Wickham there, as some members have said Mclean, surely Wickham would be better on the LW as he has more experience there, than Mclean who I have to be honest, I know very little about (he may be outstanding, but i dont have a clue)

Forgot about Mclean would like to see how good he is, possibly give him some game time. It's all down to Brucie in the end anyway.

 

[Nads]

We simply must start playing Gardner.

He's the ****ing key to it all,i'm sure of it.

 

[Poyet's Eleven]

We simply must start playing Gardner.

He's the ****ing key to it all,i'm sure of it.

Hope so!