Sunderland pre match

[Kendal Fox]

Draws are no good for Sunderland now they need wins, which should play into our hands. Not that I'm taking anything for granted.

You would think that. However, Bournemouth couldn't really afford to play negatively (against us) but did. Norwich couldn't afford a draw against us yet played extremely negatively. WBA also played for a draw against us. Even Southampton yesterday started the match deep and didn't over take us, possession - wise, until the 2nd half. Watford, Newcastle and Crystal Palace all played a fair amount of deep football against us.

It's like teams feel, so long as they draw or lose narrowly against us, they can claim the moral victory of not getting battered. Stupid, especially when teams like Norwich really needed to win when they played us. I don't expect Sunderland to be any different, especially with Allardyce at the helm. Somehow, he'll feel 1 point was "massive", should they hold us.

[Clever Fox]

I think I'd go with Ulloa for this one. There not too good in the centre of defence. O Shea is nearly past it and doesn't like mixing it too much. I'm sure Ulloa could get a couple of goals.

Then bring Shingi on and run them ragged later on in the Game.  These are the games we need to make sure and win.

[Kendal Fox]

Just to add. I'm not trying to suggest teams lie down for us, out of some kind of sense of entitlement. But the fact is that so many teams we've played, in succession, have played very negatively, despite needing 3 points - Whether that be to ensure survival or Europa League qualification - when they played us.

[Izzy]

Funny enough my mate said he'd take a point next week after the match on Sunday. I said absolutely not.

 

For me we're 7pts clear but the target should be to try and win it before we go to Man Utd. Before the Southampton match I wanted 10pts from the next four matches.

 

I've always felt we need to win it with three games to go or be a minimum of 7pts ahead. Single points aren't much good at this stage of the season we need to go into our next three matches with a win being the only acceptable result. We should have nothing to fear from;

 

Sunderland (a)

West Ham (h)

Swansea (h)

 

Just can't imagine us winning it before we go to Man Utd to be honest mate - although it would be nice 

None of us want the drama and stress of needing to get points at Stamford bridge, so winning the league by beating Everton at home would be utopia for me.

Therefore I'd take a point and a boring 0-0 at Sunderland with another game struck off. They'll be well up for it and Defoe has said he really wants to score and win so he can do Spurs a favour. Another clean sheet and I'll be happy..

[Great Boos Up]

I've been thinking for a while now that come the end of this season, we should put a bid in & try to buy Defoe. You imagine, if he was on our bench & Claudio took either Vardy or Sinji off, what a great impact sub he would be!  He is a proven goalscorer & even in a sh-t team he is still getting the goals. I'm certain he would jump at the chance to join City.

But we did try and buy Defoe! He snubbed us for this "bigger" club. Let him rot the championship or China or in some dark cupboard where he can rue his mistake!

[Great Boos Up]

Not at all easy this one, but should we win it and be 10 points clear then the Spuds will throw in the towel. If we lose they will smell blood beat Manure and gain momentum.

I'd take a draw from both games leaving 5 to play with two losses in the bank.

[biggs]

Not at all easy this one, but should we win it and be 10 points clear then the Spuds will throw in the towel. If we lose they will smell blood beat Manure and gain momentum.

I'd take a draw from both games leaving 5 to play with two losses in the bank.

 

I would never think a draw based on the difference in our level vs theirs and what we are both playing for. Both teams going all out 0 - 2 Leicester minimum in my view.

[Guest CityFan 06]

Got a feeling Mahrez will score in this one.

[MrKåmark]

I'm not sure if I can handle another 90 minutes

[gerrytaggart]

winit

[biggs]

I'm not sure if I can handle another 90 minutes

 

It's getting up at 5:30am to watch after a night out I'm finding the most difficult to handle

[Great Boos Up]

I would never think a draw based on the difference in our level vs theirs and what we are both playing for. Both teams going all out 0 - 2 Leicester minimum in my view.

 

I'll take your 0-2+, but I don't think you read my post which was more about the psychology of the result for the title.

We have had three draws this year to vs "lower" level clubs.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

We lose this and suddenly the title race will have completely opened up again.

We have to be very mindful that this is absolutely right

If we slip up at all there will be major nerves jangling

Hopefully that said City can get a result and march on

Up the Foxes

[biggs]

I'll take your 0-2+, but I don't think you read my post which was more about the psychology of the result for the title.

We have had three draws this year to vs "lower" level clubs.

 

Fair enough with what you're saying.....I hear you.

 

Just have that gut feeling one team in the hunt will put in a big run of wins and we'll need 3pts against these struggling teams. I feel our team is more than capable of tearing apart Sunderland and psychologically Spurs would have the wind blown from their sails.

 

Results on Saturday will play a factor too if my gut is right. It's time for us to avenge those draws to "lower level" clubs earlier in the year

[maynefox]

It's getting up at 5:30am to watch after a night out I'm finding the most difficult to handle

 

At least you have something to calm your nerves!

[LedStar]

Tough, tough game.................................... for Blunderland!!!

2-0 to City!!!!!!!!

[Finn Claw II]

I'd rather be playing Sunderland than Man Utd or West Ham.

Vardy double

[Foxfan501]

Still got this mentality in my head that every game is going to be difficult because we are in the premier league, it's been like that since we got promoted. Really cannot get my head around how well we are doing, and completely refuse to take any team for granted.

 

Sunderland is going to be another tough game in the toughest league in the world. They've got a decent squad, it's not going to be a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination.

I'm feeling the same.Even though we are in this ridiculous position I'm taking NOTHING for granted, one game at a time etc.

 

Hate the "we're going to win the league" chants, hate seeing the scarves too.We're close to getting CL football next season, that's the next aim.Please, please don't let's get ahead of ourselves.

 

Am cautiously optimistic, but I won't get too carried away just yet.

[biggs]

I'm feeling the same.Even though we are in this ridiculous position I'm taking NOTHING for granted, one game at a time etc.

 

Hate the "we're going to win the league" chants, hate seeing the scarves too.We're close to getting CL football next season, that's the next aim.Please, please don't let's get ahead of ourselves.

 

Am cautiously optimistic, but I won't get too carried away just yet.

I'm the opposite and love listening to the fans singing we're going to win the league. They're enjoying the moment and giving the players energy. Think the players would rather hear this than feel the fear and nervous energy of the fans. Hope it continues....I'd be inspired if I was on the pitch

[Foxfan501]

I'm the opposite and love listening to the fans singing we're going to win the league. They're enjoying the moment and giving the players energy. Think the players would rather hear this than feel the fear and nervous energy of the fans. Hope it continues....I'd be inspired if I was on the pitch

 

It's way to premature imo, same as BetFred paying out on us winning !

 

The players have been great at ignoring the pressure so far and just doing what they have all season, I just hope they continue in the same vein.

 

Guess am just being cautious.

[red5]

I'm feeling the same.Even though we are in this ridiculous position I'm taking NOTHING for granted, one game at a time etc.

 

Hate the "we're going to win the league" chants, hate seeing the scarves too.We're close to getting CL football next season, that's the next aim.Please, please don't let's get ahead of ourselves.

 

Am cautiously optimistic, but I won't get too carried away just yet.

 

Piss-off 

[SpinneyHillRanger]

As long as Claudio and the lads don't take this one lightly which I'm sure they wont. We should beat these. Borini and Defoe are the dangermen in their team... But we have vards, mahrez and kante.

There's no doubt they will be going for tge win but only at the end if scores are level will they throw the kitchen sink at it. I'm hoping shinji can have a good game from the start. 1-0 will do me fine.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Massive game but one we are capable of winning

Leicester win

Up the Foxes

[Gerard]

Just can't imagine us winning it before we go to Man Utd to be honest mate - although it would be nice 

None of us want the drama and stress of needing to get points at Stamford bridge, so winning the league by beating Everton at home would be utopia for me.

Therefore I'd take a point and a boring 0-0 at Sunderland with another game struck off. They'll be well up for it and Defoe has said he really wants to score and win so he can do Spurs a favour. Another clean sheet and I'll be happy..

 

I see the rest of the season like this:

 

4 wins = we 100% win the league

3 wins = we almost certainly win the league

2 wins = we have a near 50/50 chance

1 win = unlikely to win it.

 

We have four games that are an "easier" level:

 

Sunderland (a)

West Ham (h)

Swansea (h)

Everton (h)

 

And then two games at a "harder" level:

 

Man Utd (a)

Chelsea (a)

 

We should be targeting a minimum of three wins for the rest of the season. The easiest way to get three wins is to beat three from the first group.

 

If we don't beat Sunderland then we will have to win every home game because for everyone of those we don't we're going to have to win away at either Man Utd or Chelsea and we don't want to be in that position.

 

Sunderland have home advantage but they are the worst team we play for the remainder of the season. For me it's another MUST WIN and solitary points aren't going to get the job done. Just look at Tottenham away at Anfield last Saturday they were gutted not to win and we were celebrating that they only took a point.

 

If we draw at Sunderland then the Tottenham players and fans will be given the extra motivation to beat Man Utd as they'll feel they're back in the title race.

 

If we win at Sunderland then they'll be deflated as with a 10pt gap they'll see it as an impossible task.

[SpinneyHillRanger]

There recent results suggest they will be hard to beat. 4 draws, 1 defeat and 1 win at home to man utd.