I was a decent defender in the Sunday League but would've been on my arse against McGeady ... ... against him and Jones I'd have been holding my hamstring and rolling my hands at the manager
Or McGeady moves to centre instead of AOB to accommodate Jones... I'll leave the selection and tactics with LJ.
The speed of McGeadys footwork is amazing. I used to love watching allan Johnstone, he would put a fullback on his arse but he wasn't the quickest. Just something about that type of player that gets people off their seats.
The one thing that does niggle away at me is that we always hear about injured players being on the verge of getting back into the team, but it never seems to materialise and said player suddenly becomes a week away. Then the next day he becomes 2 - 3 weeks away!
When Tueart left us for Man City we went to see him at Leicester when we didn't have a game ... ... without the pressure, of being desperate for a win, you could appreciate just how good he was.
He was before my time but there are certain players that it just looks so easy for. I remember when Fowler burst onto the scene and it just looked so natural for him to score goals but I never really took to Owen who probably scored more.
I like McGeady in a deeper central role, his vision and passing are far more effective ( to Gooch at Wembley for example) and if we have Jones up and running again , we'll definitely create more chances. Exciting week coming up, lets hope we hold our nerve.
Oxford is where all our focus is... we win that (please) and see how the top two do on Friday... then regroup and go again Monday. Burge, Sanderson, Macfazdean, Wyke and Mcgeady are definite starters in there usual places. So are I would suggest are Power and 09, I am just not sure where they start. Depending if any CBs are fit? There is an argument for O'Brien to start that leaves 3 places left... If Hume is fit he probably starts on the bench. Then there is Gooch, Jones, Stewart probably Younger on bench.
I think I'd probably leave Younger out of the equation for now, it's squeaky bum time with 10 games left, I think LJ knows his squad now, and they all seem to know what's required ( loved AOB interview yesterday) so I'm not sure younger fits, but his time will come. I'm also a bit hesitant on moving our defenders around to accommodate Wright and Hume, I'd rather keep changes to a minimum to avoid confusion, games are too important now to be trying too many changes, I think out current 'team' of 12-15 players are good enough , although it's a catch 22 on bringing back those who are fit again.
I'd rather leave our returning players to sub appearances or injuries ... ... otherwise you can dispirit the current team. We've done wonders with the players who've come in and they deserve their chance imo.
I reckon Hume will struggle to get a start initially and will need to wait for his opportunity, Wright is different and I think he will come in instead of O'Nien once he is up to speed.
Funnily enough mate I still don’t feel comfortable, I have supported Sunderland that long I don’t come on here when the match is on because I feel sick,Anyway there is two scenarios we will either beat the teams around and above us and be flying or they will beat us and drop us in the s hit and I can’t stop my heart going 90 to the dozen until after we have played them I just wish I could but been let down to many times.
Some are saying McGeady gets ‘double marked’ If Jones gets on again they probably need to ‘double mark’ him as well (if they can catch him) Wyke’s goal tally means teams will probably need to ‘double mark’ him as he’s a big goal threat. In the second half opposition teams will have some very tired defenders. Time for Diamond. With defenders ‘double marking’ our danger players it leaves our other players with more space. Another option for when Hume returns is using McFad on the left wing as he’s quite ok there and either use him as a sub for McGeady or have McGeady more central. Is it that simple?
Yep, Wright has a presence in defence that O'Nien doesn't give us ( although he's doing a great job) but he will need games to get up to speed, not sure we can afford that without upsetting the balance. Fortunately that's what we pay LJ to decide, but we've taken 26 points from 30( iirc) with the team we've got, and the misfits have become regulars in their adopted positions, so we're doing something right, even if, as yesterday, it has been winning 'ugly'.
Agree entirely, and a fair chunk of those points were because of the strength of our bench and Johnson's substitutions.
Johnson is fantastic with how he uses his subs. He has won us a lot of points by making subs that have impacted games and subs that have seen games out. The exact opposite to how Parkinson was with his subs
Who would be a fan, huh.... tbh I would rather play than watch... cos as a few have said, for the players pressing for promotion, these are the games to embrace, that you want to be involved in and really to enjoy, cos that when you play well. It is somewhat paradoxical that we have been playing badly and still winning. I suspect we will have to be 'up for it' with Peterborough and Hull.
I'm hoping its my old Sunderland instincts saying this, but I reckon we have the hardest run in but Oxford, PBoro, Charlton, Blackpool x 2 and Hull are all competing at the top end, Wigan and Northampton fighting to stay up, leaves us only Accrington and Plymouth as non competitive. 8 games out of 10 is a tall ask. Like I say that is my old Sunderland head, and I'm hoping that my slightly more optimistic head rules and we go up automatically.