[Archived] Sunderland Preview - 20:00 Monday 18th October

[tony gale's mic]

Sam has been on Skysports news saying we need to get back to keeping clean sheets as that was the backbone of our success last season.

Also repeated his oft quoted mantra that we need to start converting more of our chances.

Imho (and I know I'm not a football professional or expert like Sam)that's wrong. The reason we don't score enough goal is because we don't create enough chances - certainly not clear cut ones. We need to start playing better football and hence start creating more chances of which we will convert a percentage.

We were hardly creating chances left right and centre last year.

Keeping clean sheets is a very valid point, we've created enough to take the lead in so many games this season.

I do agree though that better ball retention needs to occur to have a better chance of keeping a clean sheet. Creating chances with our midfield is a task but keeping the ball a bit more shouldnt be.

[Tom]

Darren Bent starts, bad bad news he will score

[Hughesy]

Sam is right - had we held onto all our winning positions then we would be much higher....3 points at Brum, 3 points at City....we could go on.

Clean sheet & 1 goal for will do it every game for most.

[Tom]

Quite a decent line up

Robbo

Salgado Samba Givet Olsson

Emerton Jones Nznonzi EH Diouf

Pedersen

Kalinic

Would have liked to see 2 up top but otherwise it looks good

[booth]

Quite a decent line up

Robbo

Salgado Samba Givet Olsson

Emerton Jones Nznonzi EH Diouf

Pedersen

Kalinic

Would have liked to see 2 up top but otherwise it looks good

I really wish he would play Jones in defence. We looked unbeatable with him at the back.

[Amo]

Quite a decent line up

Robbo

Salgado Samba Givet Olsson

Emerton Jones Nznonzi EH Diouf

Pedersen

Kalinic

Would have liked to see 2 up top but otherwise it looks good

Groan... Jones in midfield.

Groan... Pedersen as the second-striker (he'll probably have a blinder)

Apart from that, not too bad. Let's hope Olsson can make something of himself at left-back.

[Tom]

I wouldn't have put jones in midfield but we don't have too many options with Sam insistent on playing just one up top.

[Amo]

I wouldn't have put jones in midfield but we don't have too many options with Sam insistent on playing just one up top.

Emerton? Linganzi? Salgado? I reckon all of them could play centre-mid, or at least deserve a chance.

[Tom]

Just had a thought maybe jones is in defence with diouf right olsson left and emerton nzonzi and pedersen in the middle or does that make too much sense?

[Majiball]

Robbo

Salgado Samba Jones Givet

EH Diouf Emerton Nznonzi Olsson

Pedersen

Kalinic

Hopefully.

[LeChuck]

Robbo

Salgado Samba Jones Givet

EH Diouf Emerton Nznonzi Olsson

Pedersen

Kalinic

Hopefully.

As much as I don't want Jones in midfield, I hope that Olsson is at left back. We desperately need a left back that goes forward, adventurous full backs are required in a 4-2-3-1 system. I pray Olsson has a blinder and makes that position his own.

I can accept Jones in midfield tonight as Dunn, Grella and Andrews aren't fit. When Dunn is fit enough to start I think Pedersen will move backwards into Jones' position.

[Amo]

IIRC, Jones has played every game so far in midfield. Don't expect that to change tonight.

[Inta Beaver]

It's amazing how Bent is fit for his club but not country in the week.

Come on Rovers!!!!!!!

[John]

Conditions are pretty wet, might affect our long throws....

[Majiball]

As much as I don't want Jones in midfield, I hope that Olsson is at left back. We desperately need a left back that goes forward, adventurous full backs are required in a 4-2-3-1 system. I pray Olsson has a blinder and makes that position his own.

I can accept Jones in midfield tonight as Dunn, Grella and Andrews aren't fit. When Dunn is fit enough to start I think Pedersen will move backwards into Jones' position.

Whilst he has done an admirable job in midfield we do need a better passer of the ball in there and Emerton is that. Emerton will work hard and probably has a bit more guile going forward than Jones, as for me when you put him a N'fonzi in the middle we are too deep in the center.

When young Jones has played at the back, we have looked very solid very and I'm concerned we may see him in midfield for a while. Which well isn't something I'd want whilst he's learning his trade.

Olsson at left back, yes I can understand the view point but we desperately need to support our front-man and there no doubting that Olsson can and will do that. If we are to create goal scoring chances which we haven't been doing we need pace somewhere in midfield, Olsson has that attribute.

[Nelsta]

how is cattermole not booked, blatant dive.

[Tom]

Should be embarassed how the ref hasn't booked him is beyond me

[adopted scouser]

Titus Bramble, useless fat @#/?

[slough_rover]

The Pedersen lovers will claim that was a shot and not a cross.

[Nelsta]

not sure wether peds ment that free kick or not.

[DE.]

We've started off quite well, but Sunderland look dangerous on the counter. As long as we keep tight at the back I can see us nicking one before HT.

[BuckyRover]

Of course Pedersen meant it. That's why he hit it so hard

[Tom]

Damn this is boring. Come on rovers

It clearly was a shot as well

[Amo]

Monday night football. Can you feel the atmosphere!

[John]

Diouf looking lively. Had far too many forward just there