Mistle17

I think Carroll's the type of player who will get better as each game goes on. He has potential and if he's given his chance then hopefully he'll bang in a few more between now and the end of the season. He looked good today and was unlucky with that effort that hit the bar. But it would be unfair to judge him playing alongside Shola. Its not that Shola is really bad, its that those two just cant possibly play together. Their too similar (no offence Andy).

He wasnt fantastic today but neither was Ameobi, Carroll, Butt, Duff etc. yet they dont get slagged off like Colo does. Look at Enrique- He took more than half a season to settle in and get back to his best. Colo will be good for us (if he stays).

The atmosphere didnt even seem that lifted when Lampard was sent off.......for tackling someone.

Does anyone think todays result is like putting a cork in a leaking tap?

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Yep, we were static upfront for the majority of the match. You just cannot play Carroll AND Ameobi upfront together......you just cant- their too similar and offers us no pace or movement whatsoever. Micheal Owen would've nicked a couple of goals this afternoon im sure of it.

Exactly. I watched all of our match (obviously) and most of their match and the comparison in terms of atmosphere, passion and excitement was on another level at SJP. The liverpool match was very boring and once again their fans didnt live up to their hype. Shame...

He did OK today but once again, not enough. He should've been torturing McCartney today but only once or twice did we really see him try to get at the full back. As usual, he had his usual 1 flash of brilliance but was average for the rest of the time. He could learn a lot from Jonas...

Thats where Owen comes in (for the rest of the season). Martins would've helped Jonas a lot more today as well. He would've given Jonas someone to aim at and even play off. Thats when Jonas is very effective, imo. When he cuts inside and links up with people- because thats the way he plays. As Yorkie said, he's not your average 90's winger like Gillespie. I honestly think Lua Lua should replace Duff next week. Whether his crossing is good I dont know but he'll take a bit of the work load of Jonas' shoulders thats for sure. I hope so too because that would mean Joe Kinnear is no longer manager. I was thinking how slim the chances are as well...

Thats where Owen comes in (for the rest of the season). Martins would've helped Jonas a lot more today as well. He would've given Jonas someone to aim at and even play off. Thats when Jonas is very effective, imo. When he cuts inside and links up with people- because thats the way he plays. As Yorkie said, he's not your average 90's winger like Gillespie. I honestly think Lua Lua should replace Duff next week. Whether his crossing is good I dont know but he'll take a bit of the work load of Jonas' shoulders thats for sure.

For me, when we get Raylor in, we should play a back four of: --Raylor----Staylor--Bassong---Enrique---- For a few games. I think Colo needs to be dropped/given a rest, because his confidence is shot to pieces. Plus he's played pretty much every game this season for us.

I wouldnt say Tayls is the new Cafu now, but yes, he played very well there today and was confident going forward. As someone said though, he must learn to cross a ball first. If he manages to do that then he'll be quality! Howay young Taylor!

I thought our fans were fantastic today. Didnt turn on the lads and backed them from the first to the last whistle. I hardly heard sunderlands fans once. Shite.

We were completely toothless upfront. Carroll tried hard but ultimately didnt have any real effect on the game. Ameobi's penalty was fantastic....so cool under such intense pressure. Jonas and Bassong were just immense. Bassong handled Jones with ease, while the mackems simply couldnt contain Jonas. He was all over them like a rash! Overall its mixed emotions for me. Im so relieved to not lose yet a disappointed we couldnt finish them off and they've come away from the derbys this season with 4 points off us. It should be the other way round. WBA game is massive for us.

Carroll/Ameobi doesnt give us much (if any) pace upfront but at least Jonas and Duff will have something to aim at. C'MOOOON TOON!!!!!

So fucking nervous now its ridiculous! I wish i was there!!

Fuck. It sounds like it'll be even more hostile than usual. Hopefully our fans dont go out of their way to cause trouble as thats the last thing we need.

Just reading an article on tf. Its from The Telegraph and it finishes off with: "Lose today and the nightmare will truly begin. " Very scary words.

Meh....

Hopefully they're going to underestimate us and see us as easy pickings- wrong. JKF knows what the result will be if we lose this, and he knows how important this game is. The players have no doubt how important this game is....especially after the last one. I think we'll win this 2-0. C'MOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!! TOON TOON

I really, really, really hope your not serious. I hope he is. Could do with our owner being a strong position financially to make sure the £20m a year loss is covered. I'd rather he puts money into OUR club rather than casinos (in Manchester of all places). Does all of your money go into YOUR club, or do you spend some at different pubs? (out of interest?) I spend some at different pubs. I know what you mean, but its just funny how he cant invest money for players yet he can go gambling (even if the gap in money amounts is noticable).

I'll be watching (through my hands) from my home in Dublin.

I really, really, really hope your not serious. I hope he is. Could do with our owner being a strong position financially to make sure the £20m a year loss is covered. I'd rather he puts money into OUR club rather than casinos (in Manchester of all places).

Aye, go early. Mix in with fellow fans and soak up the atmosphere. Gear up for it, like.

I really, really, really hope your not serious.