THE SUPER CLARETS vs The Black Cats ~ Match Thread

[whiffa]

First home game of the season, let's back the lads!

Madge is here for old time's sake - teams news incoming!

[whiffa]

[Newcastleclaret93]

I like the line up

[morninbob]

433, JBL for sonne, Les for laurant.

[whiffa]

Our opponents today:

[burnleymik]

Back to what we did well in the Championship. Very happy with that. Come On!

[daveisaclaret]

Proper 11 that, well done Mr Parker. Big win today

[ecc]

SP showing flexibility.

[CoolClaret]

-------Dubravka
Walker-Ekdal-Esteve-Hartman
-----Lesley-Cullen
JBL--Hannibal-Anthony
--------Foster

I think?

[ksrclaret]

No complaints with that team. Whether it’s enough is a different matter but hoping for a win.

[Newcastleclaret93]

-------Dubravka
Walker-Ekdal-Esteve-Hartman
-----Lesley-Cullen
JBL--Hannibal-Anthony
--------Foster

I think?

Physically that midfield should give Sunderland some real problems

[ecc]

-------Dubravka
Walker-Ekdal-Esteve-Hartman
-----Lesley-Cullen
JBL--Hannibal-Anthony
--------Foster

I think?

Something like that.

[Jmw]

I think it will be 5 at the back still with JBL as RBW. Hope not but I think that’s the way he will go

[Goliath]

Have we lost a league game with Edwards in the team?
I don't think we have but he's somehow found his way out of favour. Seems a bit odd.

[burnleymik]

....or I suppose he could have just swapped JBL for Sonne and we still play the 5-back?

[RVclaret]

Tough game. Sunderland have spent a lot and spent really well. Glad we’ve matched their midfield with legs and physicality. That 11 is what i was hoping for except Tuanzebe for Ekdal, hopefully the latter has a good game.

[FCBurnley]

I think it will be 5 at the back still with JBL as RBW. Hope not but I think that’s the way he will go

We should never play 5 at the back at home and I don’t think we will today

[willsclarets]

Have we lost a league game with Edwards in the team?
I don't think we have but he's somehow found his way out of favour. Seems a bit odd.

One thing about Anthony is that he's unbelievably disciplined off the ball. Just speculation, but especially if we're 3 at the back he's just not defensively minded enough to play that wingback role. Even in a 4, Anthony would cover for Hartman and you'd be fine. Edwards on the other side? Not sure. It is a shame because he's a great watch and could score some important goals, but we know Parker is safety first and perhaps while we settle into the league he's just wanting him as an impact player

[RVclaret]

People get a bit caught up with formations, and there seems to be a misconception ‘5 at the back’ is defensive. Last week we delivered one of the most attacking performances I’ve seen at a big club with ‘5 at the back’. Palace just won the FA Cup with ‘5 at the back’ every week. Very nice attacking team. Weird one.

[Procrastinate B]

Much better.

Still think we’ll go five at the back, but much better.

[burnleymik]

People get a bit caught up with formations, and there seems to be a misconception ‘5 at the back’ is defensive. Last week we delivered one of the most attacking performances I’ve seen at a big club with ‘5 at the back’. Palace just won the FA Cup with ‘5 at the back’ every week. Very nice attacking team. Weird one.

For me personally, I think it's about how uncomfortable our best defenders look in the 3. Esteve and Walker seemed to struggle and I think it exposes Ekhdal too. It's not about being defensive, it's about playing players in their strongest positions to get the best out of them.

[Goliath]

One thing about Anthony is that he's unbelievably disciplined off the ball. Just speculation, but especially if we're 3 at the back he's just not defensively minded enough to play that wingback role. Even in a 4, Anthony would cover for Hartman and you'd be fine. Edwards on the other side? Not sure. It is a shame because he's a great watch and could score some important goals, but we know Parker is safety first and perhaps while we settle into the league he's just wanting him as an impact player

Agreed but we've been a better side with Edwards in it so I'm surprised Parker hasn't at least given him an opportunity before JBL

[ecc]

People get a bit caught up with formations, and there seems to be a misconception ‘5 at the back’ is defensive. Last week we delivered one of the most attacking performances I’ve seen at a big club with ‘5 at the back’. Palace just won the FA Cup with ‘5 at the back’ every week. Very nice attacking team. Weird one.

Fully agree with you, RVclaret. If the players are good enough it enables you to quickly switch from defence to attack and vice versa.

[GetIntoEm]

Anyone tried the mash peas and gravy yet? Pie and peas is back!

[Roosterbooster]

I think it will be 5 at the back still with JBL as RBW. Hope not but I think that’s the way he will go

He played there against Lazio. Also Josh Laurent ended up as a RCB against Lazio. So it looks like the "5 at the back" thing is a full time goer

But as people say, I don't think it's a rigid 5. Walker can play RCB or RB or RWB. Hartman can play LB or LWB. Anthony can drop into a LWB position if needs be. And Hannibal can play as AM, inside right or drop into a midfield 3

It'll be a versatile set up depending on the phase of the game

[CoolClaret]

Whatever it is, I like that XI... a lot!

UTC!

[LincsWoldsClaret]

The £5 pie was not quite 1 cm deep

[Buxtonclaret]

Afternoon All.
No conceding penalties to them & three points please!
Good to see Madge back.
COME ON UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU CLARETS!!

[KateR]

4 at the back for me, more attacking intent, will see these changes throughout, depending on who we are playing and SP thoughts on attack or defense as the tactic of the day. Obviously more attacking today, which Sunderland will like as they will be a counterattacking team for most of the season, as they believe they can break quickly and have the attackers to score, which proved the case against WH, let's see how today plays out.

[jojomk1]

No Broja even on the bench

[jojomk1]

Have we lost a league game with Edwards in the team?
I don't think we have but he's somehow found his way out of favour. Seems a bit odd.

Edwards is a luxury at this level
JBL will offer more to the team in overall work rate and still has goals in him

[manuelbenny]

Surprised Ekdal is in again....

[ecc]

Surprised Ekdal is in again....

I'm not sure we have too many other options.

[willsclarets]

I may or may not have said this before but, Foster to bag today!

[Tribesmen]

Afternoon all , just checking in here in Santorini , about 29c and the sun is out .
All set for kick off .

[Frenchclaret]

I couldn’t receive Clarets+ last week but this week I have just opened it and didn’t have to pay! Have conditions changed?

[mkmel]

4 at the back for me, more attacking intent, will see these changes throughout, depending on who we are playing and SP thoughts on attack or defense as the tactic of the day. Obviously more attacking today, which Sunderland will like as they will be a counterattacking team for most of the season, as they believe they can break quickly and have the attackers to score, which proved the case against WH, let's see how today plays out.

They can't be that good in attack as they only managed to score 3 against West Ham

[Goliath]

Edwards is a luxury at this level
JBL will offer more to the team in overall work rate and still has goals in him

We haven't tried him. Bit harsh to come to a conclusion without even giving him the chance

[derryclaret]

Afternoon all, threatening rain here first we've seen in a couple of weeks, big game need a win to set us on our way. COYC!

[jojomk1]

We haven't tried him. Bit harsh to come to a conclusion without even giving him the chance

We saw in the Championship that he's short of pace and rarely tracks back and that is a minimum for this league
Would appear SP is not so keen on him starting

[THEWELLERNUT70]

At last a banger of a tune to walk out to

[Longsider]

Come on yooooooooooou Clarets

[morninbob]

Back 5 JBL on the right.

[whiffa]

At last a banger of a tune to walk out to

Ecstasy of Gold by Ennio Morricone? Great song. Also looks like maybe new soundsystem in at the Turf at last?

[ElectroClaret]

Nice tribute to Willie Irvine.

[JR1882]

Wolves 1 down.

[jojomk1]

What a calamity at the back there

[willsclarets]

ooft should be 1 down there

[ElectroClaret]

Good save Dub.

[Venkys4eva]

The sky commentary team are all w****kers listening to them all Sunderland had to do is turn up.