Match Day Thread Cardiff City FC v Sunderland AFC – Friday 29th March 2024 - KO 15:00

So. Dack, Evans and Alese all likely in the squad. Roberts a maybe and Clarke an unlikely

No sign of Cirkin or Embleton. No mention of them either.

Rusyn back in a couple of weeks

With those who are available I'd go:

Patterson
Hume Ballard O'Nien Alese
Evans Neil Rigg
Mundle Jobe Aouchiche​

Subs: Bishop, Pembele, Styles, Hjelde, Ba, Roberts, Dack, Ekwah, Hemir

Get 60 mins out of Evans if possible.

 

Hope so mate, that alone would completely change the atmosphere in the ground

 

Really like that 11

 

Sorry to say this but I'm convinced Dack will start ...

... if we're going to win this game I think it'll be the last 20 minutes after keeping it tight.

 

His last start was in a game we did exactly that, hull away 0-1, I’m sure we’d all be over the moon with a repeat!

 

Another one for the list

 

Can't stay fit that lad. I'd be looking to move him on in the summer

 

Definitely think he’ll be away. Won’t be making it here.

 

Not saying its right or wrong by the way , but If we went down that road we would loose half the squad.

 

Some of the u21s training with the first team

 

The last couple of years have been unreal for the amount of injuries we're seeing in football.

 

Thanks for another brilliant thread RTB. Almost time for a rest. Looking forward to catching up with friends after the international break. Long day ahead but hey ho. A point or 3 would be gratefully accepted. Hopefully the lads aren't on holiday just yet and give us 100%. Keep the faith lads and lasses it's all we can do.

 

Thanks again for the great thread RTB

For no logical reason whatsoever, I’m going for a 3:1 away win. for this one. An improved performance & a draw and I’d be happy enough…

 

I’d be delighted with a point tbh.

 

same here i take a point now

 

Cardiff have scored less than Sunderland, conceded more and have a much inferior goal difference ...

... f*ck them, they're no Barcelona.

Ha'way the Lads!!!!

 

A word of warning don’t refer to the Wales result yesterday, Jim Kerr did tonight and the Welsh are a bit miffed to say the least

 

Sunderland: Mike Dodds on Aji Alese and Patrick Roberts



https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/24216319.sunderland-mike-dodds-aji-alese-patrick-roberts/

By Dominic Shaw

AS MUCH as Mike Dodds would love to throw Patrick Roberts and Aji Alese straight back into Sunderland's starting XI, the interim head coach says he has a "duty of care" to exercise extra caution and ensure he doesn't rush the pair back too soon…

"Aji has probably had one of those injuries where he's rushed back because of the circumstances we were in," said Dodds.

"I've got so much admiration for that because he was desperate to help us in that play-off game. It's very similar with both Pat and Aji in that they're both training and I appreciate there'll be a clamour for them to play because of what they can bring.

"Believe me, there is no one in the world who wants them out there more than I do. But I do also think there is a duty of care there, it might be that there is some frustration at times when they're not out there but we have to be sensible with both of them."

Alese has only played 22 league games for Sunderland since joining from West Ham but put pen to paper on a new contract earlier this week. Dodds believes Sunderland deserve immense credit for the capture of the defender two years ago.

He said: "Aji's a great example of the positive side of our recruitment, an Under-23 footballer who came in and has done really well for us.

"The frustration for all of us is that we haven't been able to see it over a consistent period of time. I don't think that's anyone's fault, but he's a huge part of the future of the football club. He's got huge potential and it's our and my responsibility to keep pushing him so that he can reach his potential."