Sunderland (H) - Sat 6th Dec, 15:00 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Tomblue]

Im not sure how you can possibly justify the same back 4 after the midweek showing. Bizarre.

 

[Ric]

Was expecting a few more changes with Madrid midweek, but I guess this game is the priority at the moment. Pleased to see Cherki back in the starting XI.

 

[phargrave]

Probably our best 11 at this time. Let's hope they can get us the result.

Peps obviously written off the Madrid game

 

[uwerosler28]

I hope its Cherki in the middle and Foden on the right, shouldn't be moving Phil back inside after his last 2 great games on the right .

 

[ninjamonkey]

Peps obviously written off the Madrid game

I don't think he has but if he has, it's the correct call, can afford to lose to madrid, win the last 2 and it doesnt matter one bit, we cannot afford to be dropping any more points to arsenal in the league

 

[abu13]

Im not sure how you can possibly justify the same back 4 after the midweek showing. Bizarre.

Its a tough one, drop one of them and it could be seen as scapegoating. Change 2 or 3 and we lose any continuity. I know what you mean though.

 

[denTTony]

Pleased with team, was expecting 3 or 4 changes. Maybe Pep hasnt much confidence in those on the bench

 

[SWPISHOME]

Peps obviously written off the Madrid game

We wouldn't of had to worry about it at all if we didn't fuck about against Leverkusen.

 

[jimharri]

Is it just me, or do we seem to have had a few more saturday 3pm kicks than in previous seasons at this stage?

 

[deano ou812]

Hopefully we are at it,and not some of the players having an eye on the Madrid game midweek ..

 

[Blu1]

Not easy this & they will go for it with nothing to lose. No bozo moments & it should be a huge 3 points. Just hope they have shaked off Fulham 2nd half

 

[Blu1]

Surprised no kush today gvadiol needs a rest

 

[Blu1]

I hope its Cherki in the middle and Foden on the right, shouldn't be moving Phil back inside after his last 2 great games on the right .

Not sure he trust cherki inside yet

 

[DenisLawBackHeel74]

Surely we are playing the same team but with different tactics…can’t believe pep is just going to repeat the performance from in the week..

 

[Ryan.98.]

Just win blues.

 

[Blu1]

This has just become a huge game for us.
Got to put more pressure on Arsenal now

 

[jimharri]

The flapping under way good and early, building up a nice head of steam for the match thread.

 

[pudge]

Can't fuck this up

 

[Eaststander1]

Fuck off pep with your Silva obsession, he slows us down down and is our weak point every game

I think Silva has made up his mind to leave the club summer, and I reckon Pep already knows that but is intent on keeping Silva in the first team 'mix' until then, basically as a bit of a reward for all he's done for the club over the years ......

 

[Gabriel]

The problem is not so much the backline but the ability of the midfield and attack to close spaces ahead of them. Starting eleven need to take their early chances and then we may need Reijnders and Lewis on to stiffen the midfield in the second half.

I definitely don’t want to see Donnarumma punching crosses back into the centre of the pitch. Out to the sides, per favore.