Team Vs Sunderland

[Quickenthetempo]

Has the new signing Sonne done enough to replace Roberts?
Has Foster done enough to start from the left in a 433 formation?
Has Reading and the more adventurous tactics given the manager confidence to go a little more attacking?

For me playing the better defensive left back should allow Foster to play as a wide left forward. It will allow Flemming to drop deeper when he wants.
Plus it allows Parker to play 3 central midfielders which he prefers.

Trafford

Roberts CJER Esteve Humphries
Cullen Brownhill Laurent
Anthony Flemming Foster

The subs bench could be interesting.

[claretspice]

I would have thought that 9 of that team would be nailed on if fit, with only Foster and Laurent open to question.

Personally, I'd start Foster off the left in that formation, so that only leaves one slot open which would be between Laurent and Sarmiento.

I think you can make a good argument for Laurent, but equally, at home, you can imagine that Sarmiento's ability to operate in tight spaces and greater quality on the ball would be helpful. There's not much point in having Foster making runs off the left if you've no-one to take the ball and find the pass. Of the three games for which he's suspended, this is the one for which we may miss Hannibal the most - he's something of a hybrid between the physicality and running power of Laurent and the technical quality of Sarmiento.

Against Leeds, I'd expect Laurent to start because they'll most likely come to impose themselves, but I think Sunderland may come to play on the counter attack and therefore the onus will be on us to use the ball better than we've managed in a number of home games.

[jedi_master]

Has the new signing Sonne done enough to replace Roberts?
Has Foster done enough to start from the left in a 433 formation?
Has Reading and the more adventurous tactics given the manager confidence to go a little more attacking?

For me playing the better defensive left back should allow Foster to play as a wide left forward. It will allow Flemming to drop deeper when he wants.
Plus it allows Parker to play 3 central midfielders which he prefers.

Trafford

Roberts CJER Esteve Humphries
Cullen Brownhill Laurent
Anthony Flemming Foster

The subs bench could be interesting.

Agree with that team totally.

[burnley007]

I would have thought that 9 of that team would be nailed on if fit, with only Foster and Laurent open to question.

Personally, I'd start Foster off the left in that formation, so that only leaves one slot open which would be between Laurent and Sarmiento.

I think you can make a good argument for Laurent, but equally, at home, you can imagine that Sarmiento's ability to operate in tight spaces and greater quality on the ball would be helpful. There's not much point in having Foster making runs off the left if you've no-one to take the ball and find the pass. Of the three games for which he's suspended, this is the one for which we may miss Hannibal the most - he's something of a hybrid between the physicality and running power of Laurent and the technical quality of Sarmiento.

Against Leeds, I'd expect Laurent to start because they'll most likely come to impose themselves, but I think Sunderland may come to play on the counter attack and therefore the onus will be on us to use the ball better than we've managed in a number of home games.

I'm yet to be convinced by Sarmiento tbh, sometimes he looks fantastic, other times really poor.
I would probably rather have Brownhill behind Flemming, which I never thought I would say!

[summitclaret]

Team as per opening post. However, I have a concern about nobody tracking back to help stop Roberts, who for me is their danger man.

[Quickenthetempo]

I would have thought that 9 of that team would be nailed on if fit, with only Foster and Laurent open to question.

Personally, I'd start Foster off the left in that formation, so that only leaves one slot open which would be between Laurent and Sarmiento.

I think you can make a good argument for Laurent, but equally, at home, you can imagine that Sarmiento's ability to operate in tight spaces and greater quality on the ball would be helpful. There's not much point in having Foster making runs off the left if you've no-one to take the ball and find the pass. Of the three games for which he's suspended, this is the one for which we may miss Hannibal the most - he's something of a hybrid between the physicality and running power of Laurent and the technical quality of Sarmiento.

Against Leeds, I'd expect Laurent to start because they'll most likely come to impose themselves, but I think Sunderland may come to play on the counter attack and therefore the onus will be on us to use the ball better than we've managed in a number of home games.

I would prefer Hannibal in there for his energy but the three can rotate that 3rd midfield position.

[CrosspoolClarets]

———————Trafford———————
Roberts——-CJER———Esteve———Humphries
——————Cullen———Brownhill———————
Anthony———Sarmiento—————Foster
————————Flemming—————————-

I bet Parker goes with Laurent instead of Sarmiento but the above is my choice. Roberts has to start too - you don’t have an all time record defence so far and then change it voluntarily.

The big dilemma but unlikely for Friday will be if we sign Whittaker, who is like a left footed Anthony, where does that leave Anthony (who Parker adores) if Foster starts to rip up that left hand side (could be Foster’s best position in my view although he lacks a “trick” to beat a man).

[RVclaret]

Has the new signing Sonne done enough to replace Roberts?
Has Foster done enough to start from the left in a 433 formation?
Has Reading and the more adventurous tactics given the manager confidence to go a little more attacking?

For me playing the better defensive left back should allow Foster to play as a wide left forward. It will allow Flemming to drop deeper when he wants.
Plus it allows Parker to play 3 central midfielders which he prefers.

Trafford

Roberts CJER Esteve Humphries
Cullen Brownhill Laurent
Anthony Flemming Foster

The subs bench could be interesting.

This for me

[warksclaret]

Has the new signing Sonne done enough to replace Roberts?
Has Foster done enough to start from the left in a 433 formation?
Has Reading and the more adventurous tactics given the manager confidence to go a little more attacking?

For me playing the better defensive left back should allow Foster to play as a wide left forward. It will allow Flemming to drop deeper when he wants.
Plus it allows Parker to play 3 central midfielders which he prefers.

Trafford

Roberts CJER Esteve Humphries
Cullen Brownhill Laurent
Anthony Flemming Foster

The subs bench could be interesting.

Exactly mine too

[BleedingClaret]

Has the new signing Sonne done enough to replace Roberts?
Has Foster done enough to start from the left in a 433 formation?
Has Reading and the more adventurous tactics given the manager confidence to go a little more attacking?

For me playing the better defensive left back should allow Foster to play as a wide left forward. It will allow Flemming to drop deeper when he wants.
Plus it allows Parker to play 3 central midfielders which he prefers.

Trafford

Roberts CJER Esteve Humphries
Cullen Brownhill Laurent
Anthony Flemming Foster

The subs bench could be interesting.

100% this

I thought about it yesterday and came up with exactly the same 11

[boatshed bill]

Has the new signing Sonne done enough to replace Roberts?
Has Foster done enough to start from the left in a 433 formation?
Has Reading and the more adventurous tactics given the manager confidence to go a little more attacking?

For me playing the better defensive left back should allow Foster to play as a wide left forward. It will allow Flemming to drop deeper when he wants.
Plus it allows Parker to play 3 central midfielders which he prefers.

Trafford

Roberts CJER Esteve Humphries
Cullen Brownhill Laurent
Anthony Flemming Foster

The subs bench could be interesting.

Same players, but like this:

Trafford,
Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Humphreys,
Cullen, Laurent,
Anthony, Brownhill, Foster,
Flemming

[ClaretPete001]

I think you have to go with Laurent and Cullen because Cullen plays better in the double pivot.

I think Brownhill will protect Roberts better. Fleming can play in his number 10 role and Foster can run the channels.

Trafford,
Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Humphreys,
Cullen, Laurent,
Brownhill, Fleming Anthony
Foster

[dougcollins]

Sunderland predicted team - calling the game a 'must win':

https://www.sunderlandafc.news/match-co ... n-to-make/

[morninbob]

Same.

Subs
Hladkey
Sonne
Egan
Worral
Koleosho
Sarmiento
Barnes
Rodriguez
Pires

[summitclaret]

Same.

Subs
Hladkey
Sonne
Egan
Worral
Koleosho
Sarmiento
Barnes
Rodriguez
Pires

Looks about right, but I think 1 of 4 defenders should be replaced with magic Mike. It would be Egan or Worrall jf I was picking, but no chance of that.

[Jakubs Tash]

Parker will make sure we don’t lose this game before he tries to win it. It’ll be a midfield 3 - no flair player in there.

[equinox]

I can't get out of my head the difference in skill, awareness, technique and overall ability Tresor showed in his brief cameo against Reading, personally I'd start him, I appreciate this isn't going to happen so I'm hoping he gets on the pitch at some stage.

[Hedontplayforyou]

I think Foster may start from the left tomorrow night, with the rest of the side picking itself .

[morninbob]

Looks about right, but I think 1 of 4 defenders should be replaced with magic Mike. It would be Egan or Worrall jf I was picking, but no chance of that.

Can't believe that I missed magic mike, swap him for pires.

[Goliath]

I think Foster may start from the left tomorrow night, with the rest of the side picking itself .

Agreed. I think the Fa Cup run out on the left was an audition for him. Not sure Parker is a huge fan of Koleosho or Sarmiento so I think he will go with Foster over those 2 with Anthony on the right.

[FCBurnley]

Foster looked back to approaching full fitness at Reading. No doubt he will due to play for SA sometime soon !!

[ArmchairDetective]

Has the new signing Sonne done enough to replace Roberts?
Has Foster done enough to start from the left in a 433 formation?
Has Reading and the more adventurous tactics given the manager confidence to go a little more attacking?

For me playing the better defensive left back should allow Foster to play as a wide left forward. It will allow Flemming to drop deeper when he wants.
Plus it allows Parker to play 3 central midfielders which he prefers.

Trafford

Roberts CJER Esteve Humphries
Cullen Brownhill Laurent
Anthony Flemming Foster

The subs bench could be interesting.

That's the team. Close the thread.

[bobinho]

I too think that is the team.

Koleosho, Sarmiento and (possibly, dependent on the score) Mike to make an appearance later on to take advantage of tired legs.

[OssyClaret]

Trafford
Roberts CJER Esteve Humphries
Cullen Brownhill Laurent
Anthony Flemming Foster

Hladky
Sonne
Worrall
Sarmiento
Koleosho
Barnes
Rodriguez

Tresor serving Bene to reduce the queues

[BigBadBarnes]

I think we will see a lot more of Foster from the left this season but I don't think Parker will start like that tonight. I think he's likely too risk adverse. My guess is that it will be Koleosho for his energy and then Foster for the last 20mins.

[CaptJohn]

You may be right BBB but I'd start with Foster because his driving runs will stifle the Mackems somewhat. The bench will be interesting though and give us a glimpse into how SP is planning the game.

[FCBurnley]

Let’s be realistic. We are now chasing 1of 2 automatic promotion places rather than trying to cement our place in the play offs. Therefore tonight’s game is a must win. Sunderland however are probably looking at a play off place and therefore might be happy with a draw. So we should expect Sunderland to perhaps be more defensive than usual and SP has to choose the best team he thinks can deliver the win

[taio]

Let’s be realistic. We are now chasing 1of 2 automatic promotion places rather than trying to cement our place in the play offs. Therefore tonight’s game is a must win. Sunderland however are probably looking at a play off place and therefore might be happy with a draw. So we should expect Sunderland to perhaps be more defensive than usual and SP has to choose the best team he thinks can deliver the win

It's an important game but not a must win.

[boatshed bill]

It's an important game but not a must win.

It's no more, or less, a must win game than any other in the league. I'm sure that's how SP would see it.
Having said that, a win would me very handy

[taio]

It's no more, or less, a must win game than any other in the league. I'm sure that's how SP would see it.
Having said that, a win would me very handy

Parker will obviously want to win the next two games, but I'm sure if there was only one win from those two he would prefer tonight.

[dougcollins]

No, it’s a must win.

Another marker to put down.

[boatshed bill]

No, it’s a must win.

Another marker to put down.

So what happens if we lose?

[BigBadBarnes]

It's more of a must not lose rather than a must win.

However, winning would be the sign of a team that is ready to go on a big run

[fidelcastro]

The subs bench could be more interesting than the starting line up tonight.

[taio]

No, it’s a must win.

Another marker to put down.

Why, what happens to our season if we draw?

[alwaysaclaret]

So what happens if we lose?

Sunderland win of course

[boatshed bill]

I'm meeting my mackem mate to watch it down the pub. Should be fun!

[dougcollins]

There’s always psychology involved.

If you’re serious about top two, winning at home against a close contender is imperative.

Gives them a right kick where it hurts.

[burnley007]

I'm meeting my mackem mate to watch it down the pub. Should be fun!

In Sunderland?

[boatshed bill]

In Sunderland?

Fortunately not

[warksclaret]

I think Foster may start from the left tomorrow night, with the rest of the side picking itself .

Agree-I have noticed that when Parker praises people midweek, and he was delighted with Foster at Reading, that they usually start next game

[KateR]

If Foster & Flemming start, won't that be the first time it's happened for one reason or another??

I thought these two were going to be our go to pair up front, I would like to see it happens, Foster certainly looked fit in the cup match, and has had plenty of time to recover. Therefore, if they don't, SP must have some reason, which I can't see, but he's been doing well picking the team not to lose up to now, so I'm not saying anything negative in that regard.