Sunderland pre match

[Babylon]

In Col's defende, Spurs aren't in a position to drop points whereas we definitely are.

 

I'd rather we didn't, but we'd still be in a good position if we come out of this weekend 5 points clear with 5 games to go.

 

Edit, considering we need 2 points per game to seal the title, a draw would keep us on course to maintain that.

I'd say those two gaining ground on is in a weekend where we play our "easy" game and they play their hard game, would be a bloody disaster. It's these games that we need to be taking points from, we can't go into games against West Ham, United and Chelsea suddenly needing a massive win because we blew our easy chances.

 

A draw this weekend puts huge pressure on against West Ham, presuming Spurs were to beat United. As anything but a win would mean spurs would be a win away from overtaking us should they beat Stoke.

 

A point might turn out to be fine come the end of the season, but this fecker needs wrapping up asap and the easiest way possible. Because anyone expecting United or Chelsea to roll over for us could be seriously mistaken.

[Gerard]

You're totally missing the point.

 

Spurs and Arsenal would be pleased to see us draw, but we wouldn't be as upset as Spurs fans were when they drew with Liverpool.

 

I agree that our "chances" would be lessened, but not as drastically as you're making out.

We'd still be two games clear with 5 to go. Ideally we'd want to win and Spurs to drop points because we'd then be 3 games clear.

 

I'm not saying that we should take a draw I'm just agreeing with Col that it wouldn't be a disaster. Not even close..

 

I'm not missing the point at all, I could explain the maths why we would be less likely to win the league after the draw therefore it can't possibly be a good result for us.

 

i've never said a point would be a "disaster" for us but to say it's a good result for us is just plain wrong.

 

We need a minimum of three wins to give us a better chance of winning the league than we have now. If you'll happily take a point against Sunderland then it forces us to win our three remaining home games against West Ham, Swansea and Everton. For every one of those we don't win we'll have to win at Man Utd or Chelsea to catch up. 

[AKCJ]

I'm not missing the point at all, I could explain the maths why we would be less likely to win the league after the draw therefore it can't possibly be a good result for us.

 

i've never said a point would be a "disaster" for us but to say it's a good result for us is just plain wrong.

 

We need a minimum of three wins to give us a better chance of winning the league than we have now. If you'll happily take a point against Sunderland then it forces us to win our three remaining home games against West Ham, Swansea and Everton. For every one of those we don't win we'll have to win at Man Utd or Chelsea to catch up. 

 

We'd obviously be less likely, I'm not debating that.

 

Nobody has said they would happily take a draw (to my knowledge) but I think we'd look back on a draw and say fair enough.

 

A draw is a pretty neutral result. A win is extremely positive and a draw is extremely negative.

[SpinneyHillRanger]

hope the players aren't takink this as an 'easy' game. there are no easy games at this stage - well maybe villa.... but seriously.... players and fans should just stick to trying to win our game. Sunderland have beat man utd this season, so there is no point hoping our game is easier than them. in fact, i think it's better for players to go in the game with a mentality that this is the final and facing an opponent that will give it their all to win.

 

 

We don't need to worry about the others.... if we win, lose or draw they (arse/spurts) will have pressue on them to win.

 

We just need to carry on trying to get the 3 points however we can. being intelligent, knowing Sunderland are not going to be easy. They will be fighting like we were last season, but we should be even more determined having confidence in the knowledge we are on a winning streak and we can win games as long as we score one goal.

 

the first half will see us attacking more unless we score early again. If they score first, I can see them playing deep and hoping to counter. Either way, I think both teams will be going for the win and not settling for a draw, so expect a tense finish.

[johnny the fox]

hope the players aren't takink this as an 'easy' game. there are no easy games at this stage - well maybe villa.... but seriously.... players and fans should just stick to trying to win our game. Sunderland have beat man utd this season, so there is no point hoping our game is easier than them. in fact, i think it's better for players to go in the game with a mentality that this is the final and facing an opponent that will give it their all to win.

 

 

We don't need to worry about the others.... if we win, lose or draw they (arse/spurts) will have pressue on them to win.

 

We just need to carry on trying to get the 3 points however we can. being intelligent, knowing Sunderland are not going to be easy. They will be fighting like we were last season, but we should be even more determined having confidence in the knowledge we are on a winning streak and we can win games as long as we score one goal.

 

the first half will see us attacking more unless we score early again. If they score first, I can see them playing deep and hoping to counter. Either way, I think both teams will be going for the win and not settling for a draw, so expect a tense finish.

Well if they can't get "up" for this one, we might as well all go home..I have no doubt we will...

[Gerard]

We'd obviously be less likely, I'm not debating that.

 

Nobody has said they would happily take a draw (to my knowledge) but I think we'd look back on a draw and say fair enough.

 

A draw is a pretty neutral result. A win is extremely positive and a draw is extremely negative.

 

Quite a few have said they'd be happy to take a point.

 

A draw isn't a neutral result. This is a zero sum game so if we think a draw is a neutral result for us then by definition Tottenham and Arsenal should think our result is a neutral result for them and you already know they won't think that.

[Guest Col city fan]

In Col's defende, Spurs aren't in a position to drop points whereas we definitely are.

 

I'd rather we didn't, but we'd still be in a good position if we come out of this weekend 5 points clear with 5 games to go.

 

Edit, considering we need 2 points per game to seal the title, a draw would keep us on course to maintain that.

 

Completely agree with this.

I did say a win would be lovely, but given all the circumstances, a draw would be a good result IMO.

[Guest Col city fan]

I'd say those two gaining ground on is in a weekend where we play our "easy" game and they play their hard game, would be a bloody disaster. It's these games that we need to be taking points from, we can't go into games against West Ham, United and Chelsea suddenly needing a massive win because we blew our easy chances.

 

A draw this weekend puts huge pressure on against West Ham, presuming Spurs were to beat United. As anything but a win would mean spurs would be a win away from overtaking us should they beat Stoke.

 

A point might turn out to be fine come the end of the season, but this fecker needs wrapping up asap and the easiest way possible. Because anyone expecting United or Chelsea to roll over for us could be seriously mistaken.

 

I just don't see this fixture as 'an easy game'. I guess that's my point really. As I said above (and I think this is important), they are fighting for their Premiership lives. They are at home, in front of a big crowd and they have a wily old sod as a manager (like we do..)

I'm anticipating a close game, a tactical game, with probably few goals. If we go there and get a draw, I'd be satisfied. They are no easy games in this division. Villa aside. People may say we 'should' be beating Sunderland. But it doesn't usually work like that in this division. What we must not do is go there and lose. That would be a psychological blow.

[Onikage82]

Sunderland is a another potential banana skin, they all bloody are.

 

Stadium of Light is going to be rocking.  That Khazri and Defeo will cause trouble they got a some decent talent in there, they just on a downer, closer to relegation you get, some of these players will wake up and go for it, hope it's just not against us.

 

Only we know how it feels to be in this desperate situation (relegation ), our players must realise they going to come for us.

 

I think this is going to be a ugly game, long balls, free kicks, sending off's.

 

Going to have to go championship with these lot, I think this will be a game for Jeff Schlupp and Shinji, Danny boy Simpson needs another monster performance at right back.

 

We balls this up, this title can slip our fingers, no doubts.

 

Stay positive keep our S**t together and fight till the end.

[Manwell Pablo]

I fully believe Spurs will draw against Man U...

 

We'll be 9 clear with a victory. If we win this weekend and they draw, I think we can say with 90% + certainty that the title is ours.

 

I actually don't think Spurs are the main threat anymore, Arsenal are more of a worry should they win the game in hand behind as they are a much more likely side to pick up a large amount of points in the remaining games. Their run in is piss with a  lot of home games, even if they lose the Man City and West Ham (neither guaranteed) Games they are realistically going to get 15 points off Palace WBA Villa Narch and Sunderland you would think, obviously they will probably fork up somewhere but on paper they could still really push us if we lose form.

 

None of it matters now anyway, ours to lose, Beat Sunderland and Swansea and draw with the Hammers and I think we will be all but over the line, and should we mess one of those games up we've got Everton to fall back on with United as a free game, It needs to be done before the Chelsea game really, do not want to go their needing something with those two playing the two worst sides in the division.

[foxfanazer]

I just don't see this fixture as 'an easy game'. I guess that's my point really. As I said above (and I think this is important), they are fighting for their Premiership lives. They are at home, in front of a big crowd and they have a wily old sod as a manager (like we do..)

I'm anticipating a close game, a tactical game, with probably few goals. If we go there and get a draw, I'd be satisfied. They are no easy games in this division. Villa aside.

What games do you consider must wins from our remaining matches then Col?

[Stevosevic]

A draw isn't a good result, win the thing.

Imagine the lift Spurs will get pre match knowing we only drew with Sunderland.

[Guest Col city fan]

What games do you consider must wins from our remaining matches then Col?

 

What constitutes a 'must win' game? Its a massively over-used term.

We need to keep playing how we are playing, keep confident (and not lose games..I think that's essential, not only for points but psychologically) and see how it goes. Other team's performances will also impact on the final outcome. IF we win all the remainder then we win the league. But that's not a given is it.

[Babylon]

I just don't see this fixture as 'an easy game'. I guess that's my point really. As I said above (and I think this is important), they are fighting for their Premiership lives. They are at home, in front of a big crowd and they have a wily old sod as a manager (like we do..)

I'm anticipating a close game, a tactical game, with probably few goals. If we go there and get a draw, I'd be satisfied. They are no easy games in this division. Villa aside. People may say we 'should' be beating Sunderland. But it doesn't usually work like that in this division. What we must not do is go there and lose. That would be a psychological blow.

I did put the word easy in inverted commas, perhaps it's not perfect English I don't know.

 

But the point was this game should quite obviously be seen as being easier than games against West Ham, United and Chelsea. With that in mind, and us not knowing what others are going to do, this is a huge chance to start putting a few nails in others coffins. We need to take advantage of these games, I would be utterly gutted with a point.

[SpinneyHillRanger]

on paper (and looking at the league table) you'd say these were one of our easier games.... along with swansea at home.... but we know, that's where we could trip up. let's just get the win..... score a goal, and then counter attack them. job done.... move on to west ham at home.

 

i personally think this will be our hardest game since Arsenal away. not because of the skill level, but the determination they will have. we need to match them with determination and fight. 

[Guest Col city fan]

I did put the word easy in inverted commas, perhaps it's not perfect English I don't know.

 

But the point was this game should quite obviously be seen as being easier than games against West Ham, United and Chelsea. With that in mind, and us not knowing what others are going to do, this is a huge chance to start putting a few nails in others coffins. We need to take advantage of these games.

 

I just don't agree Babs... I think we have just as much chance of beating West Ham at home as we do beating Sunderland away.

If we don't lose against Sunderland, then we go into two home games expecting to beat both West Ham and Swansea at the KP. And I think this is what may happen actually.

As I said, to beat Sunderland would be lovely, and if we do, I think its just about in the bag. But if we don't, if we draw, then its no huge problem IMO.

[Gerard]

Completely agree with this.

I did say a win would be lovely, but given all the circumstances, a draw would be a good result IMO.

 

But this is a team that have won 6 times in 31 games.

 

We should be happy not to lose to them when 25 teams accomplished that out of 31?

 

If we draw this game and don't win the title this will be a game we can look back on and say if only.

 

We need three more wins to put ourselves in a better position than we are now. If we surrender a win against Sunderland then we are forced to get those three win in our three remaining home fixtures.

 

If it was a draw with 10mins left I'd be happy if both team subbed their GK's for a FW. We won't be in that much worse of a position with a loss than we would with a draw.

[AyewJoking]

if you cant win at sunderland can you complain at not winning the league?

 

our 7 point lead will be an excuse why a point or even a defeat wouldnt be the end of the world, especially if spurs fúck up too.

 

i just hope the gap we have relieves enough tension for us to play with more freedom than we have done of late and beat these fookers comfortably.

[AKCJ]

if you cant win at sunderland can you complain at not winning the league?

 

our 7 point lead will be an excuse why a point or even a defeat wouldnt be the end of the world, especially if spurs fúck up too.

 

i just hope the gap we have relieves enough tension for us to play with more freedom than we have done of late and beat these fookers comfortably.

 

Just to note, we drew away at Villa.

[Manwell Pablo]

I just don't see this fixture as 'an easy game'. I guess that's my point really. As I said above (and I think this is important), they are fighting for their Premiership lives. They are at home, in front of a big crowd and they have a wily old sod as a manager (like we do..)

I'm anticipating a close game, a tactical game, with probably few goals. If we go there and get a draw, I'd be satisfied. They are no easy games in this division. Villa aside. People may say we 'should' be beating Sunderland. But it doesn't usually work like that in this division. What we must not do is go there and lose. That would be a psychological blow.

 

 

Come one Col, tell the truth, we all know it's because they've got Lee Cattermole in midfield.

[Guest Col city fan]

Come one Col, tell the truth, we all know it's because they've got Lee Cattermole in midfield.

 

I wondered how long it would be before that little chestnut came out..

[Gerard]

I just don't agree Babs... I think we have just as much chance of beating West Ham at home as we do beating Sunderland away.

If we don't lose against Sunderland, then we go into two home games expecting to beat both West Ham and Swansea at the KP. And I think this is what may happen actually.

As I said, to beat Sunderland would be lovely, and if we do, I think its just about in the bag. But if we don't, if we draw, then its no huge problem IMO.

 

A better question would be what games will you be disappointed with a point with?

 

We need to win three games and I assume you don't expect us to beat Man Utd or Chelsea and you've already said you'd be happy with a point against Sunderland.

 

So you must expect us to win our last three home games?

[Bluearmyfox28]

Our pace & work rate in the middle of the park will be key in this one I reckon. If Big Sam plays Cattermole & Kirchoff which I would imagine he will. Kante, Drinky & Okazaki's endless workrate will play a major factor as Sunderland wouldn't be able to deal with the tempo.

The tempo & pressing we set from the off is key in this for me.

[Guest Col city fan]

A better question would be what games will you be disappointed with a point with?

 

We need to win three games and I assume you don't expect us to beat Man Utd or Chelsea and you've already said you'd be happy with a point against Sunderland.

 

So you must expect us to win our last three home games?

 

As I've said, I'm not even thinking about the other games. Taking one game at a time, I reiterate, a draw against a side fighting for their lives would be a satisfactory result IMO. We won't agree Gerard, so I'll sign off. You see this as an 'easy game'. I don't. For all the reasons I've given which I wont bang on about.

I hope you're right and that it will be a comfy win.

[AyewJoking]

Just to note, we drew away at Villa.

 

yep, a disgusting result but a while back now.

 

not winning at sunderland at this stage of the season is criminal, however our 7 point lead cushions that (think i may have pointed that out in my original post)