Sunderland (H) Match Thread - Sponsored by come-back kings

[TBM]

2 changes

McCleary and Akpan in for Karacan and Guthrie

Must mean McAnuff in the middle


Reading: Federici; Kelly, Harte, Mariappa, Pearce; Akpan, Leigertwood, McAnuff (c); McCleary, Kebe; Pogrebnyak
Subs: Taylor, Shorey, Morrison, Karacan, Guthrie, Blackman, Le Fondre

[Royal91]

Why has Guthrie been dropped? Surely if Akpan is seen as a passing player that's more of a reason to start them together.

[RedRum]

Why has Guthrie been dropped? Surely if Akpan is seen as a passing player that's more of a reason to start them together.

Brian's never going to drop Jobi + Guthrie isn't really suited to that attacking role.
Can't afford to drop Legs no matter how sh*t people think he is, he's the 'rock' in midfield. Akpan deserves to start over Guthrie.

[NTRoyal]

Has a slightly more attacking look to me. Think it could be a good game today.

[TBM]

Plus remember Guthrie's "head" wasn't right last time we played Sunderland, also he's an ex-Newcastle player so would be getting boo'd on every touch which may affect his game. Good move by Brian i say

[Big Ern]

Based on recent form and match impact, then swapping Guthrie with Akpan could be a good move, however, if Brain wanted to accommodate McCleary, I think Karacan can justifiably feel a little bit dissapointed to be the one to make way.

[Ian Royal]

Not sure about this, does seem a more attacking line up from McDermott, but I think he may be dropping Akpan in too soon. We'll see shortly. Guthrie's a good passer, but there's only so much passing you can do if your team mates arn't showing good movement and are just pumping it long. I don't have a problem with Karacan missing out.

I think we're seeing McDermott has a plan that isn't set in stone, but is about adapting to the oppostion. McAnuff central to give us more attacking threat (I'm not saying I agree he does that) against "lesser" teams, with no attacking midfielder against the "big" timers like Chelsea, Utd etc.

[Royal91]

SSN claiming McCleary will be playing behind the Pog!

[RedRum]

Good result at QPR-Norwich I think. Keeps both teams right in the dog fight IMO

[TBM]

Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Bramble, N'Diaye, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, Vaughan, Johnson, Sessegnon, Fletcher


Beatable

[Ian Royal]

SSN claiming McCleary will be playing behind the Pog!

Like they know.

[Big Ern]

Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Bramble, N'Diaye, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, Vaughan, Johnson, Sessegnon, Fletcher


Beatable

Defo beatable, and once again must coin the phrase 'must win game' for us.

[GreaterTorontoRoyal]

Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Bramble, N'Diaye, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, Vaughan, Johnson, Sessegnon, Fletcher


Beatable

Defo beatable, and once again must coin the phrase 'must win game' for us.

Weren''t they 'very beatable' when they beat us 3-0 in December?

[Ian Royal]

Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Bramble, N'Diaye, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, Vaughan, Johnson, Sessegnon, Fletcher


Beatable

Defo beatable, and once again must coin the phrase 'must win game' for us.

Weren''t they 'very beatable' when they beat us 3-0 in December?

Yes, but we were infinitely more beatable then. They're less beatable now and we much less beatable.

[Archie's penalty]

It'll be like this:

Afed

Kelly Pearce Mariappa

Akpan Jobi Legs

Mcleary Kebe

Pog

So basically a more attacking version of the formation we played on Wednesday - this might be our new home way of playing, especially against 'weaker' premiership teams.

Let's see how it works...

[Royal91]

Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Bramble, N'Diaye, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, Vaughan, Johnson, Sessegnon, Fletcher


Beatable

Defo beatable, and once again must coin the phrase 'must win game' for us.

Weren''t they 'very beatable' when they beat us 3-0 in December?

To be fair when we played them at the SOL our team was worse than the one in the championship

[GreaterTorontoRoyal]

"start brilliantly for 10 minutes then fall under pressure and start hoofing it again" - My pessimistic prediction

However, I can see how it can be good for Pog as he holds it up and there will be a few pacey players for him to lay it off to

[Big Ern]

Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Bramble, N'Diaye, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, Vaughan, Johnson, Sessegnon, Fletcher


Beatable

Defo beatable, and once again must coin the phrase 'must win game' for us.

Weren''t they 'very beatable' when they beat us 3-0 in December?

Yes, but we lost. They will be saying the same about us as well.

[TBM]

What a goal by Kebe

[RFCSPACE]

Jimmy Kebe WHAT A FINISH!