Sunderland v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Davey B]

   eastie
Re: Sunderland v Villa
« Reply #69 on: Today at 10:38:28 AM »
Sadly davey you haven't seen that the emperor wears no clothes.

You seem a decent bloke but one day soon you will see that o Neill is not the saviour, just a past his best manager with a reputation that doesn't match his results- you are in for a tough few months ahead and I doubt mon will stick around long once the fans see through him.

Best wishes my friend in your time of trouble ahead.


It's not that i don't see him in that light Eastie, i just think he deserves the time to sort things out. He's still playing with basically Bruce's buys, which isn't all bad but i would like to see him have a go with more of his own. I was chastized a bit on our forum for saying basically this, but people are wanting him gone now, after 11 month. I can't agree with that. We don't know what are the financial restraints he is working under, but what he has brought in has filled in problem areas of the squad, granted it isn't great at the minute. I understand and enjoy debating everything with the reasonable people like yourself, and what they have been saying to me since i joined, and maybe the restraints are a good thing. I'm happy with his signings so far. It's not good to watch at the minute, but only one league defeat this season so far isn't bad going. The Boro game gave a few of the squad players an opportunity, and a formation change, which basically backfired.

I hope its a good game Saturday, and anyone friendly wishing to say hello, i'll gladly meet up with you before the game if you wish!

[danlanza]

I'd play Bent and Benteke and put Gabby wide.

spot on that imv. Would drive Pubehead mad. Will Lambert play Bent and Benteke together though,big question.

[Pat McMahon]

As with all MON sides, we shall need to be wary at set pieces.

[TonyD]

I am going for a win.   PL, please leave Delph on the bench.

[astonvillan]

I am going for a win.   PL, please leave Delph on the bench.

Or in Birmingham. Or Leeds on the way up...

[PaulWinch again]

I'd love to see Bent and Benteke upfront together if we're playing two up top, they showed promise against Swansea.

[eastie]

The thing is davey he had spent decent cash already with fletcher and Johnson who I must admit I would have loved to sign , but mon has a one dimensional style and when things go wrong he doesn't have a plan b - he is very much an old school manager and moody with it , if the fans get on his back he will react badly to criticism- he did do some good things at villa but he spent massive money and underachieved when you consider what other clubs spent at that time.

His reputation in the press and media is  vastly overrated in my view and it comes as no surprise that the jackets are already turning on him- sadly for you things will only get worse.

[manic-road]

0-0 for this one.

[Chipsticks]

I am going for a win.   PL, please leave Delph on the bench.

He had a great game against Albion, I'd still be prepared to give him a go.

[ez]

0-0 making us unbeaten in 3 games woohoo

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

I hope Baker is fit for Saturday. Also would keep Lichaj at LB as Bennet is to lightweight IMO. Benteke is on fire and if Bent gets a chance he will be all out to score up there. 1-2 Benteke brace .........

[Clampy]

Davy, out of interest, what's happened to Sessegnon? Is MON playing him out of position or changed his game at all? I can't remeber the last time he scored, he normally weighs in with a few, which i noticed he did just after MON first got there. He'll score on Saturday now i've asked you this.

As for your season, i was surprised that you went out last night, MON's normally got a good record in the League Cup. Overall i think you'll be fine.

[Matt Collins]

I am going for a win.   PL, please leave Delph on the bench.

He had a great game against Albion, I'd still be prepared to give him a go.

And with kea and possibly herd out I'm not sure who else you play there? Bannan and Westwood? . . .

[Dave]

With O'Neill's preference for playing down the wing I'd have thought 5-4-1/4-3-3 would be the way to go, especially if as is likely, Bennett plays.

Pretty much standard practice against an O'Neill sides. Clog the flanks up and watch him go purple as his beloved striker of choice looks on in splendid isolation.

A central midfield three that included either Ireland or Bannan ought to have a good time in the vacuum that O'Neill's tactics leave in the middle of the park.

That is just about spot on from what i see. Our Midfield is like a gorganzola cheese at times!

Pungent? Mouldy? Italian? Enjoying Protected Designation of Origin status?

[PeterWithesShin]

This has 1-1 written all over it. So with that in mind i'm going for Them 1 Us 3.