02 Sep 2023 18:34:41
Knew we were getting done (not 5 zip admittedly) as soon as I saw the starting 11. Holgate is poor as is manning and the midfield of smallbone, downes and Armstrong was a ridiculous call. Totally unbalanced and with 2 of the same player and Armstrong is never a cm in a midfield 3. If adams is OK to come on then he is OK to start as mara offers nothing. To have 68 percent possession but ship 18 shots is ludicrous and shows after 5 games we have already been found out. If rm persists with plan a and plan a only then at least start the strongest most balanced 11 possible

1.) 03 Sep 2023
03 Sep 2023 07:24:25
Completely agree and excellent analysis.

I am curious who you think our strongest and most balanced 11 is?

2.) 03 Sep 2023
03 Sep 2023 14:10:15
Hard at the mo I suppose as don't know the headspace of players like sulemanna and fitness of Stephens and thb and larios but I would go (if all fit)

Bazunu (but barely)

Kwp, Stephens, thb, larios

Downes, Charles, alcaraz

Sulemanna, adams, edozie

Balanced with Charles sitting and alcaraz and downes taking turns to go forward. Che hold up play and edozie and sulemanna allowed to run at their man every now and again rather constantly keeping possession and working back inside. Got legs, ball players and on paper at least not many stronger 11's in the championship

3.) 03 Sep 2023
03 Sep 2023 15:21:58
I would second that line up.

Gives us scope to tweak to a 4-2-3-1 for more defensive stability against the good sides or 3-4-1-2 to get Stewart or AA on the pitch too (Manning out) when chasing a game.

I saw most of Sunderlands goals were a header or shot outside the box, skills we have been lacking - hope Stewart and Alcaraz can fix that.