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(15 Apr 2016, 5:29 pm)Tom wrote So... tomorrow is probably the most crucial games of the season for Sunderland and Newcastle.
We need to Sunderland to draw with Norwich but we have to win otherwise that's it for us. Have a feeling it will be a tight game but might win 1-0 but judging by last week we have to massively improve and if we play Steven Taylor (he wouldn't even start for a Championship team imo never mind PL!!) we'll probs get beat and hoping Sunderland v Norwich will be a draw of any kind. What's everyone elses predictions?
(15 Apr 2016, 5:29 pm)Tom wrote So... tomorrow is probably the most crucial games of the season for Sunderland and Newcastle.
We need to Sunderland to draw with Norwich but we have to win otherwise that's it for us. Have a feeling it will be a tight game but might win 1-0 but judging by last week we have to massively improve and if we play Steven Taylor (he wouldn't even start for a Championship team imo never mind PL!!) we'll probs get beat and hoping Sunderland v Norwich will be a draw of any kind. What's everyone elses predictions?
(15 Apr 2016, 5:31 pm)Davie wrote I honestly think we're down, even if we beat Swansea and Sunderland beat Norwich.
(16 Apr 2016, 8:15 pm)mb134 wrote I think, with 5 games to go for both Newcastle and Sunderland, one of them will survive. I'd argue Newcastle have more games that are 'winnable' (Palace and Villa), whereas I can see Sunderland drawing more.
Looking at the fixtures Norwich have, I can't see them surviving now, maybe 4 more points at best?
(16 Apr 2016, 9:03 pm)Tom wrote Aye Sunderand and Norwich to go hopefully. We need 7 more points at least I'd say
(16 Apr 2016, 9:06 pm)mb134 wrote I reckon IF we beat Palace, Villa and one other team we'll scrape safety. I either see us getting smashed on Tuesday, and that continuing until the end, or we show the same fight that we did today, and we pick up a point.
(16 Apr 2016, 10:15 pm)Tom wrote We'll probably end up getting beat of Villa and Palace then beating Liverpool and Spurs haha
(16 Apr 2016, 10:18 pm)mb134 wrote True, we never take the easy way out do we?
I guess that Spurs last game could be a blessing in disguise, I imagine the title will be Leicester's by then, and Spurs will have nothing to play for?
(16 Apr 2016, 10:21 pm)Tom wrote We have a few teams like that to be fair - Villa relegated, Palace pretty much safe (though I'm sure Pardew will want to win!) and hopefully Man City might rest their key players like De Bruyne and Aguero.
(16 Apr 2016, 10:30 pm)mb134 wrote Aye, I think we'll still struggle against Liverpool though.
I was very impressed with De Bruyne today, if he's rested on Tuesday then our chances will increase massively. He played the full 90, and I imagine City will want him fit for the Madrid match, so may not risk him against us? I'd argue that, currently, he is the best attacking midfielder in the league.
Newcastle wise, Lascelles has impressed me over the past few weeks, especially today. He speaks well in interviews, he defends better than Taylor ever could, and actually scores from set pieces! Above all, he actually seems to care. I also liked Sissoko as a captain today, as controversial as that may be, possibly the way to get the best out of him? (Although, if Lascelles keeps doing what he's doing, I'd like to see him captain us in the future)
(16 Apr 2016, 10:45 pm)Tom wrote I never watched the whole game as I was out, but saw bits of it on match of the day and he is a massive player for Man City - they must have a far better points record with him than without him as since he's come back he's been in really good for.
Lascelles and Mitro impressed me today despite Mitro only being on for 10 mins or so he has to start over Cisse as he offers nothing, thought it was strange not starting with him as he's scored 3 in 3. Sissoko has one canny game in about 20 though haha that's the problem. Last time he was good was again Norwich and I think he's blanked goals/assists most weeks since then. Think we should give de Jong a go against Man City as I thought he was decent when he came on a few games a go (can't remember which) and I'd like to see what Obertan is like as he is a natural winger compared to Sissoko and Gini and offers pace which I think we are lacking. I'd like the team to be something like -
Darlow; Anita, Lascalles, Mbemba, Dummett; Colback; Townsend, Sissoko, de Jong, Perez; Mitro
Was very impressed with Anita today, absoultey outstanding keeping Montero quiet and Colback was decent for once. Haven't been impressed with Shelvey for a while so doesn't deserve to start imo, same with Gini Wijnaldum and Sissoko is much more effective in the centre.
(16 Apr 2016, 10:57 pm)mb134 wrote I watched it before I went out, and pretty much everything they did went through him. I'm very much of the opinion that, had he not got injured, City would be up there with Leicester fighting for the league still.
Mitrovic, I guess, offers more later on in the game. He can hold the ball up better, and Benitez may prefer to use him as an impact player. Prior to today, I didn't want to see Sissoko play another game for us, but as I was watching, my opinion of him started to change. He was shouting orders, pointing players to positions at set pieces, and he seemed to be happy, which isn't something he ever usually seems. De Jong I like, and I'd like to see him come in for Gini against Man City. I'd want Sissoko through the middle again, so I'm unsure how it could work (unless we go VERY attacking).
Defensively, we worked as a team. We communicated, Anita and Dummett stuck to their jobs and weren't flying up the pitch at every opportunity. Lascelles and Mbemba are forming a decent partnership, and Darlow is a good 'keeper. Townsend and Sissoko have the pace and stamina to get back and help out, then bomb forward and counter.
Shelvey hasn't done an awful lot since his debut(?) against West Ham, and if you start Tiote and Colback in the centre it gives two defensively minded midfielders to soak up pressure, it worked well today.
(17 Apr 2016, 8:58 am)Michael wrote Aston Villa fans fury over Joleon Lescott’s ‘relegation a relief’ comment
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016...relegation
Tosser!
Edit:
Also its sad to see them go down....
(17 Apr 2016, 9:59 am)MurdnunoC wrote I disagree. They've been hanging by a thread for a few years now narrowly avoiding relegation a few occasions. Maybe relegation will be the kick up the arse they need but, personally, I think they'll go the way of Leeds and Portsmouth.
