A realy hard time to be playing them now they are on a roll. That said our defence looked more like its normal self against West Brom so hopefully we can keep them out and snatch a winner. Will be tough though and I can see it being another 1-0. Thought Davis has his first poor game for a while so I'd start with Gaston I think. Boruc Clyne Fionte Lovren Shaw Morgan Cork Jrod Gaston Adam Rickie Subs KD Chambers Maya JWP Davis Guly Gallagher
Not for me, I'd start with solidity and keep Gaston on the bench for emergencies. They'll come at us with a lot more urgency than WBA. Same starting team as last weekend for me.
If we were at home I'd give Gaston a go, away I'd play the same team. Hopefully we have sorted out how to defend corners since game 2.
Chambers is a very versatile player, good in the air, he wasn't originally a full back, that's a late conversion.
I'm with LTL, more solid in midfield to start with so back to Steve Davis instead of Gaston who we can bring on in the second half if we are chasing the win as long as MP takes off Davis as the replacement and not destabilise everything by taking Cork off like he did against WBA
When Ramirez comes on, our defence becomes weaker. Starting him would be dangerous, but if we need a goal then by all means, bring him on.
There seems to be a little confusion - bringing Chambers back to the bench in place of Jos is because we had two central defenders on the bench for the WBA game (Jos and Maya).
JFB - the weakening of our defence when Gaston comes on is less to do with his presence and more to do with who MP takes off. Generally it appears that Cork is taken off and replaced by Gaston and that is why the defence comes under such unnecessary pressure. Surely Davis for Gaston would be the natural fit
Same team as last game. But have to wonder - JWP was not so long ago one of the first names on everyones team sheet, what changed there?
He's young. A couple of wayward free kicks illustrates that consistency comes with age. He works hard in training and will be back stronger than ever I'm sure. Like you, I'd go with the same team and see Gaston as the impact player late on. I watched Sunderland against Fulham and thought the scoreline flattered them. Fulham made some terrible tackles (apart from the one that resulted in a penalty) in dangerous areas which we simply don't do. Fulham lost as opposed to Sunderland winning (if you know what I mean). All games are loseable but Sunderland's away from is better than their home form and I really fancy our chances this wekend.
Remember that I'm on a 2 game winning streak lamb. No doing the match thread or Boruc will get injured again.
I'd make no change other than chambers on the bench if healthy. Hopefully no niggles during training this week.
