St1pe

Totally agree with this. When I was younger they had that really good run in the Premier League with Marcus Stewart banging loads of goals in and I can remember watching them in the UEFA cup that year v Inter and always having a bit of a soft spot for the club. I'd like to see them do well again, obviously not today mind.

Hate that starting 11 which likely means a dominant performance and comfortable win.

I can't see this being a walk over, especially away from home. That said, if we don't win I'll be disappointed. I'm not usually a fan of 442 but I think it's probably time we give Mitro and Gayle a chance together.

Potentially a huuuge result!

As long as we don't lose this one it wouldn't be a terrible result but I think we will do the business. From what I've seen of Norwich they look like they've got that something to be able to grind out wins regardless, I think they'll definitely go up automatically. I'd play Mitrovic too. He caused them a lot of problems last season, home and away.

If you're Darlow I guess you've really got to be asking questions. Gutted on this has ended up while I'm sat desperate we scrat a point.

I'm still irritated by yet another pathetic reaction from there ball chucking, Sunderland shirt waving, mouth breathing section of their fan base as they found it hilarious they got a 0-0 draw despite their own peril. Oh look at us not bothered. Get in the sea. Hope we smash them and their chairman has a meltdown on twitter.

Won't quote it again but that is an excellent post Dave.

I sort of half expected this today, i even liked the look of the starting 11 which was a bad sign. Hopefully we beat them in the cup mid week. Hated how Watford beat us twice so closely last season.

I don't think that's a bad signing given how short they are up front.

That double ligament injury to his knee ruined him. He had a really good pre-season the year we were in the Europa League and if that hadn't have happened I think he could have got the games he needed to make it. I always had a bit of a soft spot for him because he had obvious talent. Since his injury he just looks too slow and cumbersome for the position he plays. Shame.

I don't think yesterday could have been much better for us. I was worried we'd get stuck with him in the Championship ambling around all season blatantly not wanting to be here and then when January arrived we'd be lucky to get £20m. He may even do well for Spurs but he would have been a major negative if he'd have been forced to stay here.

I really hope we're not lumbered with this lad after tonight. Last thing we want is someone who doesn't want to be here hanging around. Same for Tiote, although I've a feeling we could be stuck with both.

Waiting for Ryder to ruin this.

Markovic would be an incredible signing. Surely that has to be bollocks though?

Wish I hadn't clicked that link. Never seen so many ridiculous posts in close proximity. How can our wage bill be an issue when we've shipped out the majority of our highest earners like Colo, Wijnaldum, Townsend, probably Sissoko and a whole host of other big contracts like Krul, Thauvin and SDJ? Do they not understand the concept of a squad and a need for rotation? Even from an objective point of view the only obviously shit player we've signed is Murphy and as a backup in the Championship where he's scored goals isn't exactly a disaster for the nominal fee that was paid.

Nope. Not just for the fact he's almost ruined Haidara's time here and that we had to listen to Dave Whelan and Martinez say there was nothing in; it's because he's a liability and has done this on multiple occasions. Plus he's shit.

Any minutes he gets on the pitch seems like it would have been better for Armstrong for how own development. I'm not keen on the transfer but I guess he deserves a shot.

One of only a handful of players I would be sad to see go. Good luck Tim

Surely Armstrong will have to start? Perez and Ritchie in the wide positions and hope we can dominate the ball enough in the middle of the pitch.

I also think we have to win. The team will be full of confidence but I can imagine that being very fragile given how poor we've been for so long. If we're serious about gaining an automatic promotion spot - or rather if we're capable of getting one - then we have to take a big scalp on the back of the wins we've had. I think we'll do it.

Good signing! I was at the Sunderland v Leicester game last season and I was surprised at how fast Yedlin was. That's pretty much all I've ever saw of him mind but I having someone with that speed in the Championship should be very useful.

£10m is an incredible fee for him. He had that spell during McClaren's reign where he was comfortably our best player but none of that had anything to do with actual defending. He's one of those that I'd point the finger at who should have done more to stop our relegation a long side other senior players. We even looked more solid in the latter stages with Anita at right back over him. If the reports are true and we're signing Yedlin as his replacement and selling him for that fee then I think it's good business from us.

Not keen at all with this starting 11 but that has to be a good sign because I was the same before the Reading game. Colback over Shelvey just seems woeful though.