Team for Sunderland

[CavershamRoyal]

Feds

Gunter - Gorkss - Pearce - Shorey

McCleary - Guthrie - Lwood - McAnuff

Pog - Roberts

Bench: McCarthy, Mariappa, Harte, Karacan, HRK/Kebe, ALF, Hunt

[Ian Royal]

I wasn't there last night, and only saw the highlights on Sky. Was it really 'long ball' cos Pog's goal didn't look like that. Guthrie's goal (assisted by Cech) was from a free kick. Maybe I missed all the long balls, as apparently did the Sky reviewer and all the pundits who watched the game who said that for long periods we outplayed Chelsea at their own game.

When we were playing particularly well (last 25 minutes of the first half, last 10 minutes of second half) we were playing neat but direct football with plenty of shorter passes mixed in like we always do at our best. When Chelsea were dominating we hoofed the ball clear to nowhere in a mildly desperate attempt to relieve pressure.

At least that's what I saw from the stream.

[Stuboo]

I wasn't there last night, and only saw the highlights on Sky. Was it really 'long ball' cos Pog's goal didn't look like that. Guthrie's goal (assisted by Cech) was from a free kick. Maybe I missed all the long balls, as apparently did the Sky reviewer and all the pundits who watched the game who said that for long periods we outplayed Chelsea at their own game.

When we were playing particularly well (last 25 minutes of the first half, last 10 minutes of second half) we were playing neat but direct football with plenty of shorter passes mixed in like we always do at our best. When Chelsea were dominating we hoofed the ball clear to nowhere in a mildly desperate attempt to relieve pressure.

At least that's what I saw from the stream.

I'd agree with Ian and add that I percieved that we played more short passes against Chelsea than usual, which was good.

[shaka's shorts]

Shorey playing for u21s tonight, so it looks like the team will be largely unchanged sat

[RoyalWire]

I would line up exactly the same as we did at Stamford Bridge.

I think at times we caused Chelsea massive problems, one's that Sunderland might struggle with. I haven't seen Roberts play so chuck him on the bench ha-ha!

[MouldyRoyal]

He's a bit like the Pog, slightly less mobile but with better ball control and perhaps bullies defenders even more. Likes balls to the feet though.

Good player.

I genuinely think they would work well together in a 4-4-2.

[winchester_royal]

I thought Gunter was terrible last night.

LOL

moron

[Cypry]

Guess it largely depends on Roberts fitness (or lack of it) and whether anyone has picked up a knock/struggled to recover from the Chelsea game.
I suspect we'll be unchanged if possible, with Roberts on the bench if he's fit....perhaps Cummings/Mariappa making way for Roberts...?

[RoyalWire]

He's a bit like the Pog, slightly less mobile but with better ball control and perhaps bullies defenders even more. Likes balls to the feet though.

Good player.

I genuinely think they would work well together in a 4-4-2.

Cheers for that.

Sounds like the would have done well against Stoke's big lads at the back!

Gutted I wont be able to watch this one online and will have to settle for the garbage MOTD highlights

[Ian Royal]

I thought Gunter was terrible last night.

LOL

moron

you criticised me for doing similar to this?

[winchester_royal]

I thought Gunter was terrible last night.

LOL

moron

you criticised me for doing similar to this?

I'm nothing if not a hypocrite

[bcubed]

No change, I hope
If we go to 4 in midfield, which I guess we will do at home, we wil get seriously overrun
Wednesday night we looked very organised- I wouldn't change anyone except bring Roberts on the bench

[Extended-Phenotype]

Would consider putting McCarthy in for Feds. Let him get over his crisis off-pitch.

Love us to stick Roberts and Pog up top with a 4-4-2, but sneaky suspicion the 4-5-1 is our ‘away’ formation; no beef with that – worked great on Tuesday so bring it on.

[Royals-lad14]

-----------------------Feds---------------------------------

---Gunter--------Pearce-----Gorkss--------Harte------
--- McCleary---- Guthrie----Ledge------McAnuff-----
----------------------------Alf----------------------------
----------------------------Pog---------------------------

subs: McCarthy, Cummings, Marriappa, Karacan, HRK, Roberts, Hunt

would rest Jem as he has only just come back from long term injury, alf can almost become the 5th midfielder at times with his work rate so put him just behind pog.

[robbieroyal]

I thought Gunter was terrible last night.

LOL

moron

Ok WR, Judging on the teams performance, Gunter was a couple of marks under the rest of them. Give him that surely?

There is no way you can deny that he has struggled for us in these two games so far??

[winchester_royal]

I thought Gunter was terrible last night.

LOL

moron

Ok WR, Judging on the teams performance, Gunter was a couple of marks under the rest of them. Give him that surely?

There is no way you can deny that he has struggled for us in these two games so far??

There absolutely is.

Etherington hardly had a sniff all game against him last Saturday.

Was up against Hazard on Wednesday and apart from the penalty certainly didn't disgrace himself.

Apart from a couple of misplaced passes he's looked pretty comfortable on the ball, and was finding Pog's feet with regularity on Wednesday (something the other guys at the back have failed to do).

I like Cummings, but Gunter is a class above.

[moonwalklikebas]

Seems to be an overwhelming cry for Shorey on here.

I would play Harte purely based on that he may want some revenge on the club that didnt really give him a chance.
His legs might be tiring with 3 games in a week:

Feds
Gunter
Pearce
Gorkss
Harte

HRK
Guthrie
Ledge
G-MAC


POG
ALF

[moonwalklikebas]

And by that ^ I do mean dropping the un-droppable Jobi Mcanuff! Who has been piss poor.

[winchester_royal]

And by that ^ I do mean dropping the un-droppable Jobi Mcanuff! Who has been piss poor.

Oh good, another moron

[moonwalklikebas]

And by that ^ I do mean dropping the un-droppable Jobi Mcanuff! Who has been piss poor.

Oh good, another moron

Hahah Moron?!?! Good luck!

Mcanuff missed an open goal with a header. Struggled to beat a man in the previous two games (except one little jink at Chelsea) Defends like hes been shot and dragging his body back. Gives little to no cover for the full back (Gunts or Harte) Making their work rate more and leaving them more exposed.



When Hal comes on he attacks the full backs. Gets at them, makes them think. Same for Jimmy and Mclearly.