Sunderland v Villa thread

[De Kuip]

Just realised there's no match thread - I was waiting for Saunders but he's been kidnapped by aliens.
I'll put up a bit more info in a while

[De Kuip]

This has got "banana skin" written all over it.
Sunderland just starting to show glimmers of form but if we do lose this we might as well pack up now.
We need to be professional and bang in some goals.obviously injury worries regarding the full hacks and possibly Grealish are front and centre of any negative aspects.

I'd go with;
(4-4-1-1) Johnstone; Elmohamady, Chester, Terry, Taylor; Snodgrass, Bjarnason, Hourihane, Adomah; Grealish; Hogan
If Jack is fit and if not replace him with grabban.
Although initially a 4411 I'd be looking for us to take the game to them so hopefully in the main a 442.

[deadbuzzardalive]

[De Kuip]

I suppose Whelan wasn't going to lose his place after the Wednesday game and whilst I would prefer Thor at least he's ready on the bench should he be needed.
Was hoping to see O'Hare but there was little enough chance anyway and zero with Jack on the bench.
I tell you what, virtually any championship team would give their right arm for that bench, in second tier terms it's bloody strong.

[Saunders82]

Sorry DK, I've not been kidnapped but its been a busy few days, I also feel this will be a tough one but one we need to win, the squad looks ok really they just need to be up for it because Sunderland will be. I'm going with a 1-0 win to us, although if they want to turn on the POWER then I wont say no to 3 or 4 goals.

[Fpuppys]

Grabban is going to get some stick tonight, let's hope it motivates him into scoring a hat-trick.

[achilles]

We certainly won't be playing through midfield then, back to hoof again.
Don't think 4-4-2 suits us with two actual attackers up front with nobody to supply them, still hopefully they will prove me wrong.

[deadbuzzardalive]

Trust us to blow it against the divisions worst side. Cardiff winning now as well, it's slipping away because we're not good enough.

Every time I write something like this, we seem to go and score. A good job too, as both Fulham and Cardiff winning.

[De Kuip]

Grabban becoming something of a valuable addition to the team just at the right time. Really pleased he scored - let's push on for a decent win now lads.

[deadbuzzardalive]

Two nil, Chester...

[De Kuip]

Trust us to blow it against the divisions worst side. Cardiff winning now as well, it's slipping away because we're not good enough.

Every time I write something like this, we seem to go and score. A  good job too, as both Fulham and Cardiff winning.

Looking at the half time scores it's already starting to feel like a must win night, I mean, even derby are leading!

[De Kuip]

Yay! He scored whilst I was typing my post!

[deadbuzzardalive]

2-0 is a dangerous scoreline, we need another goal here.

[Villa_Dan]

Grabban is still Sunderland's top scorer and has scored against them.

Can't think of that happening before

[deadbuzzardalive]

Sunderland going for it... Think we might need Grealish...

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1jMJgqMBzVMKL

[deadbuzzardalive]

Looking shakey now, really need to get a grip.

[deadbuzzardalive]

That should seal it...

[achilles]

It is a good job Sunderland are so crap because we aren't playing well, still don't knock it!

[Villa_Dan]

5Live showing it as an own goal but commentator saying Hourihane is claiming it?

Come on Barnsley!

[De Kuip]

5Live showing it as an own goal but commentator saying Hourihane is claiming it?

Come on Barnsley!

BBC have it as Oviedo og

[achilles]

Settled for 0 - 3 then with those subs!
Hardly adventurous our Mr Bruce!

[Saunders82]

We held them up for the last 20 minutes, just passing it about, they were so crap we should have gone for the goal difference you never know when it will be needed, still 3 points and we move on. UTV

[De Kuip]

Fulham are starting to annoy me we didn't even gain gd on them. Still although we didn't gain points on Cardiff or Fulham theirs were home wins whilst we've scored 7 in our last 2 aways.
A good night's work for us, onwards and upwards.

[deadbuzzardalive]

I know we scored our three goals today without him, but we look a much better team with Grealish on the pitch, although Sunderland are that bad that it's hard to judge, almost feel sorry for their fans, I really thought they were going to give it a real spirited go after getting decent draws against two form teams in Middlesbrough and Millwall.

[FoxyAV]

I know we scored our three goals today without him, but we look a much better team with Grealish on the pitch, although Sunderland are that bad that it's hard to judge, almost feel sorry for their fans, I really thought they were going to give it a real spirited go after getting decent draws against two form teams in Middlesbrough and Millwall.

Bruce must have been shouting himself hoarse when Grealish kept coming deep to play the ball out of defence.

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