Anyone got a team they'd play against the Scousers? Not sure our normal back 4 would cut it with the pace of L'pool Also Borini is ineligible to play... Realise its a bit early but think personally we can write this game off already unless Jozy starts scoring....
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!!!!! SUNDERLAND fans’ bogeyman Kevin Friend has been appointed to referee Liverpool vs Sunderland on March 26. The ref became no friend of Wearsiders last year when he handed Black Cats defender Wes Brown a controversial red card in a Premier League match against Stoke. Gus Poyet described the decision as “difficult to accept” and the red card was eventually lifted after appeal. In February 2010, Friend issued red cards to Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole and David Meyler during an away match against Portsmouth. Portsmouth both Avram Grant was charged by the Football Association with improper conduct for confronting Friend at half-time over a number of the official’s decisions during his team’s eventual 1–1 draw Portsmouth had two penalty appeals dismissed by Friend, who earlier in the match had dismissed Portsmouth’s Ricardo Rocha and simultaneously awarded Sunderland a penalty kick. Friend perhaps won back some credibility from Sunderland fans when he sent Newcastle boss Alan Pardew to the stands after his clash with Meyler, now at Hull, earlier this month. Pardew was later given a seven-match ban for the offence.
------------ Mannone ----------- Bardsley -- JOS -- Brown -- Alonso -------- Bridcutt - Cattermole ----- - Johnson ----- Ki ------ Giaccherini -------------- Scocco --------------
It's a bloody disgrace how Friend is still allowed to referee our games after some of the shocking decisions he has given against us..
No mate @premierleague Phil Dowd has been appointed referee for Norwich v Sunderland on Saturday 22 March ‪#‎NORSUN‬
The fact that Borini is ineligible for Liverpool game may effect how Poyet lines up against Norwich. Think he hinted at Giaccherini coming back into the fold provided he shows the right attitude. Against Norwich ---------------Mannone------------------- Bardsley----Oshea----Brown-----Alonso ------------Ki---Bridcutt--Colback-------- Johnson---------Borini--------Giaccherini Scocco Catts and Altidore from the bench Against Liverpool id go something similar to; --------------------Mannone------------------- Bardsley-------Oshea-------Brown-----Alonso --------------Bridcutt---Cattermole------------- Johnson---------------Ki-----------------Colback ---------------------Altidore---------------------- We are going to be on the back foot and id play Colback similar to how he played in the final. Defend resolutely and try and hit them on the break. If we went overly attacking with Scocco or Giaccherini we'd get smashed.
Spot on for me! Both games. I'd be happy with 3 points and an even or -1 goal difference from the next 2 games - like people say, it'd be "Sunderland" to lose 2-0 to Norwich then beat Liverpool 1-0!! But I certainly wouldn't be unhappy with that ( I'd be guitted on Saturday night but have forgotten it by Wednesday!)
