I know each fan likes to blow their teams trumpet, but this taken from Sad Cafe is a tad OTT maybe?? Deluded fecker
"Im getting rather sick of hearing every Tom, Dick and Harry on here complaining about our defence and saying how its Sunderland level, and that we need to bring in another top quality CB or we are going to be relegated.
So far this season, we have conceded 3 goals in the league (im ignoring the MK Dons game as that was about our 4th choice XI) - one of these (Swanseas first goal) you could argue was a foul (Bony blocking Jones as he tried to get out to block the shot), but regardless, 3 goals in 3 games. That is less than Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal who have all conceded 4. The only teams who have conceded LESS goals are City, Swansea, Stoke and Villa.
Lets look at the fachts - Smalling, Jones and Evans all have the potential to be world class CBs. In my opinion, Smalling and Jones have suffered due to being played out of position and not getting consistent gametime at CB, and Evans has just come back from injury.
As far as I am concerned, when those three get some regular gametime, they will quickly iron out the mistakes that have been made. They are young, but there is plenty of experience in those three, and we also have Blackett and Rojo to call upon.
Look at the Liverpool side that came so close to winning the league last season - Agger, Skrtl, Sakho (along with the likes of Johnson, Enrique, Kelly and Flanagan) and tell me that that is a better selection than what we have available. Even City have effectively just been Kompany ** at the back for several seasons. Both of these sides have now tried to shore up their defences this season granted, but both have won or come close to winning the league with defences which are if anything, weaker than what we currently have available.
Our problem so far this season - believe it or not - hasnt been the defence, it has been that we havent been scoring enough. We have completely revamped our midfield now and added Falcao (and Di Maria potentially) to our already lethal attack force. This should take care of the lack of goals I would say.
Basically, our squad has sufficient quality and strength in depth to challenge for the title. It may be too late for this season as I dont think LVG will get the team settled and firing on all cylinders quickly enough, but there is no problem with the quality in the squad now as far as im concerned."