First let’s get the stats out of the way and the most significant one is that Sunderland have conceded 50 goals this season – along with Norwich more than any other team in the division. The have managed to score 30 which is more than any other in the bottom eight.
This, is not a team we should fear but the backdrop to the game – the return of Sam Allardyce – has built it into something it doesn’t need to be. It’s as winnable as games get.
That ageing Jermain Defoe is clearly their most dangerous player and yes he has scored 13 goals this season and is still decent. But our defence has dealt with some of the most dangerous operators in the game this season and will come out on top.
Nor do I believe he can possibly represent as big a threat as he could be were he if he was involved in a team that was set to come and attack and weren’t facing a defence which always keeps a great shape.
Sunderland have managed two wins away from home (Palace and Swansea) and beat Man U last weekend. That will have given them a shot of confidence
We know what we are going to get from Sam and it will be a test because his priorities will be to defend deep and stifle the Hammers counter-attacking game.
To be fair it’s a good – possibly the only plan – for a team which needs to take anything from a game in which they will be surrounded by better players.
But who can forget Allardyce’s West Ham and Chelsea at the Bridge when such a philosophy gained us a totally unexpected point.
However, I believe the likes of Manu and Dimi are impossible to keep quiet for 90 minutes and the galloping runs of Cheik are a constant threat along with Mark Noble’s current form and range of passing.
If all of that fails to work I think it’s totally inevitable Sunderland will be forced into fouls around the box given how deep they are likely to defend.
And we all know what than means.
Forecast: 2-0
For the sake of entertainment we need to score early which is not our way at the moment to make Hippo come out looking for a goal but he won’t do that until we are 2 up hoping to gain a point by grabbing a goal on the break,
This game will see how far we have come not being able to wait for the quick break,
We need to be patient and wait for that killer pass and put the ball away when that chance arrives,
Worse thing is if they grab a early goal then they will sit on the box leaving Defoe up front by himself,
Just hope Payet and Lanzini come out in one piece
COYI
If anyone knows our weaknesses it’s him. So we should avoid playing too many of his old players today and as many of the new ones as possible. Ogbonna payet Lanzini Antonio Moses should all play.
Obiang,Byram,Randolf,Emanikini,
Oxford he would not have even noticed,
Throw in Kouayte to make the team balenced
Bye Bye Hippo
Was watching the PL years on sky last night & there was a clip of bolton lined up
Jaaskelainen
Nolan
DOB
for a minute i thought i was having a nightmare & i was seeing West Ham in an away kit…
thank f##k i quickly found the remote…..
My thoughts are on team selection for today ! It was always going to be a headache when most are fit ! Lanzini , on the left , Antonio on the right , carol or emenem up front,
Sunderland will IMO attack us on the break down our left !! If moses plays there ?
If they park the convoy then carol needs a go , gonna be interesting, especially when everyone is fit ?? Happy days lads , happy days.
Would love a cricket score but 1-0 will do with no assassination, s ??
Evidently jabba the hut knows our weaknesses ! Best he tell klopp , Wenger and a host of others ! Its called break their legs and hit them on the break ( pun ).
The mag has just crucified him about the per match excuses !! Sound familiar anyone !!!
Turd ?
Once again Sam Allardyce proves he is full of invention…when it comes to excuses – See more at: http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/02/once-again-sam-allardyce-is-full-of-invention-when-it-comes-to-excuses-newcastle-united-sunderland/#sthash.fEaMZqJI.dpuf
I think if you read the above link, it pretty much sums things up & reminds us of what we had to suffer. Feel sorry (well after todays game) for sunderland, if they manage the stay up they will be stuck with him to suck the life blood life out of the club. Wouldn’t wish that on anybody apart from spuds.
Sorry hippo no no ,scrap that.sorry Sunderland ,your a good side but you’ve got that dislikeable PRATT of a manager but we had to beat HIM not you.