My winter flowers have arrived, I'll be busy gardening tomorrow, hopefully forgetting that football exists. I once played a gig in Sunderland, it was INSANE! Watford 0-2 Sunderland.
Ngakia out , Kamara doubt. If Kamara isn’t fit we will probably have 2 wingbacks who aren’t natural ones against a Sunderland side who play with wingers . Not a good start !
RE has to start a back four. Make some of the right changes when needed. However he's been dealt a harsh hand with injuries and the clueless simpletons running the club who have provided minimal squad depth. If we lose I want to see fans demand Pozzo and Duxbury eff off. The way we are playing I would not be surprised. Several of the shysters masquerading as players need a kick up the backside. Or shipped out. The whole dressing room culture is rotten and has been for several seasons. Not surprising given the dolts who run the club and always back the players.
I'm still not convinced a back 4 is the way to go as we've not looked good in a 4-2-3-1 neither this season, but regardless, what if Sarr is injured? Unless Edwards trusts Hungbo (which I don't think is particularly likely), do we have any options at right-wing?
To be fair, I thought Gaspar did a job defensively and made us a lot more solid when he came on against WBA, since it is his 'day job' and since endless stamina and pace perhaps aren't quite so important for a RB as opposed to a wing-back, maybe he won't do too badly in that role?
I hope you're right - but he doesn't seem able to pass to anyone in a yellow shirt, despite his years of practice.
I think we all need to change our user names. Trudger for me because what the club makes me feel. You could be Unhappy Bunny. Coming back to Gaspar he can pass. Sideways and backwards usually. We need players like this in the side. Sunderland born and bred and a lovely lad and his missus too.
I didn't know Gaspar was a Mackem. I used to be Unhappy Bunny, but rebranded myself. Can't be arsed to do it again, so I'm just hoping reality will catch up with me.
I think you were happier when you were UB. Since your rebranding or "rebunnying" things have slipped down the pan somewhat. One of the boys in my group last night was pretending to be a bunny,to the amusement of all,not least the rabbits watching on from the side. Team for today: Bunny Austin Bunny Larkin Bunny Warren John Bunny ion err... that's it. We rarely have more than four turn up on the pitch.
Only going for the 70th minute round of applause for the reign of the Queen, and the solemn walk pass of the players to acknowledge an emptying stadium after another tactical master class by Mowbray (a proper championship manager).
Edwards has to finally drop 352, it hasnt worked for any prolonged period during any game this season. Kabasele MUST be left out, he has been a liability for 5 years now and somehow emerged from the darkness of last year as a man of the people, even though he was Troost Ekongs predecessor. At direct fault for both the goals on Tuesday (ball watching on the first goal and not marking the runner then missed the header for the 2nd). It's not Edwards fault the players aren't motivated and committed, they havent been for 4 years. We have had old managers, title winning managers, enthusiastic managers, foreign managers, English managers etc and the same problems still reside. It's not the manager, it's the shambolic running of this football club that has created this culture. If they sack Edwards I'm not going again this season.
TBF bar one defeat the home form hasn't been too bad this season. I don't think we were complaining about lack of passion and commitment after the late winner v Boro. Maybe wasn't a great performance and we struggled in certain areas yes which is the main issue.
Quite - maybe just shows where the real problems lie and not sacking a manager every few months or so isn't the answer? A new manager is still only going to have the same players to pick from and injuries to deal with. I doubt any of our players would suddenly improve.
Davis must start. On Tuesday night when the players were lined up for the minute silence, one thing that stood out was their lack on height, reading didn’t get corners or set pieces close to goal so Sunderland wernt tested. Our usual, brainless lump it forward may pay off if the lumps are actually aimed rather than panic passes. sod it, let’s just stick Okoye upfront
Was dreading going along to this inevitable sh1tshow, but I lucked out and got COVID so can't go. 3-0 loss, and the first genuine signs that League 1 isn't actually that far fetched.
Remember when we had a midfield of Capoue, Doucs, Delafoo and Hughes? A backline of a prime Gomes, Holebas, Kiko and Cathcart? Great side back then. Shows how far this squad has fallen - if you take Sarr, Pedro and Davis out of this side you are not left with a lot. We have absolutely no depth and the reason for that is we have no money (we know why) and possibly one of the poorest scouting networks in the division. It really does worry me when you look at squads like Blackburn for example, who have no real super stars but they work hard and have drive. If we put in another crap show today I will really wonder where this club are heading.
It is. Best form of defence for us is to attack. Forget clean sheets, just score enough goals to win the game.
Vital we get back to winning ways today. We have to play to our strengths. The team pretty much picks itself as a 3-4-3: Putin Shapeshifter Biscuit Blob Eeyore Gruel Fokwit Carcrash Eyesore Lampshade Duxbury
Got a feeling that today it either clicks or we get battered badly. I worry about the quality of Patrick Roberts & Jack Clarke out wide, two very capable wingers.
