James

Di Canio discovers the only person that would make a worse Sunderland manager than him.

The 4231 just doesn't work in my opinion. We had plenty of success last year with what became a flexible 442/433 formation, none of this trendy 4231 bullshit. Give Cisse proper strike partner/s and we are much better.

I haven't posted in the Europe League thread and won't do so until we bring the trophy home.

Ditch the 4231 for a while. Elliott Anita MYM Taylor Perch Marveaux Cabaye Sissoko Jonas Cisse Gouffran

I think it should be something to be proud of. Profit year on year means that the club is sustainable long term, and the money is there to keep things going on the pitch. Slow posting of profit year after year will enable proper and sustainable growth, and creates a platform for success on the pitch. It is up to the footballing staff to fulfil this. Meanwhile in the long term, clubs incurring losses are going to get worse. Man Utd is a club built on profit and success. Arsenal are posting a profit, but perhaps haven't made the best footballing decisions lately, yet they are in a position we would envy.

Hope Derek Llambias matches his words with actions.

It was so obvious that he was boiling blood and out of control, for after breaking Haidara's leg he then proceeded to charge at other players before inexplicably handling the ball.

He is there, he is helping out and putting a good shift in but he just doesn't impose himself on the game and have any real influence good or bad.

Loved it when diarra was running through the middle with pace, Mapou waited and waited then just jumped in shielded the ball and passed it out. Something I've never seen from one of our defenders before but utter class.

The true problem was no strikers. Just having Shola on the pitch brought Sissoko into the game and really opened them up.

Wish he got those minutes Ranger got.

He's just tired in my opinion. We now have Haidara, use him, give Santon a break.

Would love to see him up front soon, trying to use some of that pace through the middle

I think this game was going to be much harder than people realised. On the basis that the players were all in Ukraine on Thursday night, got back, had a hugely altered side as well, it is a great result and good performance.

Pardew is very good at handling left out players. Just explain why he is doing it and how it will make Santon a better player and it would be hard to disagree with imo.

He hasn't been himself for a while and has played practically every game. He is a very young player still let us not forget. I would be tempted to take him out of the team for a while, all part of the learning process.

That long throw was phenomenal

Hopefully that was the magic moment he needed to re-find himself.

How quickly he came off confirms to me he knows it is all part of recurring back/hamstring problem. Seems like he is managing an injury tbh. Won't be long out but he is at risk of a hamstring tear in the long run.

Interesting question, who is the better player, Cole or Gerrard?

Coloccini is underrated away from Newcastle I think. Similarly Enrique is pretty underrated away from clubs he has played for.

Harper is listed as injured on fantasy football...

This is without a doubt the worst strength in depth in goal since about 1995.weve been blessed with two good keepers since then. Until now.

We would hate him within 6 months imo.

We either send a full reserve side managed by Willie Donachie, or we play a full strength team. We have been too chop and change this season which has been a reason why we are so far down the league table. The best possible preparation for Southampton is to keep the team together.