Sunderland (A) - Thu 1st Jan, 20:00 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Goodlove]

1 yellow was a terrible decision
1 for so called time wasting
2 for reacting to two disgusting mistakes from the ref

The bastard

 

[Franny 1234]

The bastard

The referee am guessing

 

[Goodlove]

The referee am guessing

I was being sarcastic about the heinous crimes committed by the Don. Ridiculous he’s sitting on a ban when you look at it like that

 

[Franny 1234]

Couldn't agree more
I suspect it's the club he plays for that's getting him his yellow cards.

 

[youngbob]

Wouldn't be against Khusanov or Ake coming in for this one. Ake so O'Reilly can move into the middle, or Khusanov so Nunes can. Fine either way.

 

[Stelea]

After watching Sunderland today against Leeds, they look like they are missing the AFCON lads badly.

Good time for us to face Sunderland.

0-3.

And their best CB, Ballard

 

[SWP's back]

Surprised at you saying that as Pep needs to rest some this midweek, or it's asking for trouble. They've got nearly half a team at Afcon, and looked shite against Leeds today.

We can't go same again at Sunderland and against Chelsea - that'll be 6 games unchanged I think.

Some need resting, and that was a pretty uncontroversial suggestion by mdj0520, imho. Personally, I'd give Dave Connor a run out against them - we should still have enough to beat Sunderland.

It’s more putting Nunes at DM is trouble against this lot. I personally think the Chelsea match is easier as it’s at home and there’s more chance Rodri can feature in a double pivot for it.

 

[SWPISHOME]

And their best CB, Ballard

Looks like he'll be back for the game against us unfortunately, their manager said that he just missed out on the game today.

Hopefully he's just keeping us guessing and he'll be missing, he's their best defender.

 

[the blue panther]

It’s more putting Nunes at DM is trouble against this lot. I personally think the Chelsea match is easier as it’s at home and there’s more chance Rodri can feature in a double pivot for it.

Fair enough.

 

[HypnoticBlue]

Looks like he'll be back for the game against us unfortunately, their manager said that he just missed out on the game today.

Hopefully he's just keeping us guessing and he'll be missing, he's their best defender.

And he’s a dirty little shit as well, he should’ve been red carded against Brighton and missed this game automatically.
A good prospect though.

 

[kun]

I think we have to start Savinho in this one. We need Foden centrally.

-------------------------Donnarumma
Nunes------------Dias----------------Gvardiol-------O'Reilly
-------------------------------Nico
-----Cherki-------Bernardo------Foden-------Savinho
-----------------------------Haaland

 

[citymad]

Hopefully we won’t be wearing that horrible kit again!

 

[Cigs&Alc]

Few calls for Rodri here.

I'd be shocked if Rodri starts without any bench minutes first.

 

[Gray]

Same team for me, then our new signing to run Chelsea ragged.

 

[balotellishaircut]

Definitely need an early goal in this game or a first half lead going into half time.

 

[Mancini Manus Domini]

Gonzalez needs a rest and Bernardo is a freak, so the only change from yesterday I'd make is Khusanov into right back and replace Gonzo with Nunes
IF, we get well ahead, I'd bring on Lewis for Bernardo
There really isn't a better time to play Sunderland

Gonzalez hasn't been part of the Spanish national team so he's been resting during the 3 international breaks. He should be fine. Rest him for the FA Cup.

 

[handsofstone]

Again, same XI, we can't underestimate these and we've had 5 days rest to their 4 with their squad depleted

Get a early comfortable lead the manage the game properly, giving those that need rest some bench time

But this XI works, lets not fuck it up

 

[HorlocksWalk]

I was being sarcastic about the heinous crimes committed by the Don. Ridiculous he’s sitting on a ban when you look at it like that

I remember all the ones Eddie got when their keeper would spend most of the match taking the ball to the longest side kicking the post then waving players up the pitch. If we scored late on the ref would have the card in his hand first time we got a dead ball.

 

[INDEEDY DEEDY]

Surprised at you saying that as Pep needs to rest some this midweek, or it's asking for trouble. They've got nearly half a team at Afcon, and looked shite against Leeds today.

We can't go same again at Sunderland and against Chelsea - that'll be 6 games unchanged I think.

Some need resting, and that was a pretty uncontroversial suggestion by mdj0520, imho. Personally, I'd give Dave Connor a run out against them - we should still have enough to beat Sunderland.

Dave Connor, Barry Betts, Ray Sambrook :)

 

[Mike S]

Wrap up boys. If it’s not postponed because of the snow that is forecast it’s certainly going to be a chilly one. Brrr…