Milan

[Joe.]

Exactly. And my original post was just a few words about tempering that excitement after the Kaebi debacle, not a dig at Levi bloody Porter!

It'd be wrong not to mention him though.

Alan Sheehan. Andy King.

I feel much better now.

[James.]

The best feeling in all of this is hope. I haven't felt that for awhile.

[Simi]

Thank you.

Taken a back seat from the media since Olly arrived and is now delivering the goods financially to aid some really interesting signings. I hope the new players settle in and perform quickly whilst also raising the barrier for some of the frustrating players we already have.

I'm wary of being too OTT but it's nice to see so much positivity on here for a change - now the players and fans must respond and create another special atmosphere and performance tomorrow afternoon.

Hopefully this will be the start of something good. Let's not expect too much from the Hungarians, especially Bori who doesn't even speak English. In time, they could be great but our fans have a track record of expecting people to hit the ground running and it doesn't always work like that.

I've been in touch with a number of you through the day and everyone seems bang up for it. Let's do our job in the stands and give the players the best possible platform to go and win the game.

Blue Army.

Nice one, yet again, Fez.

I thought it seemed quite odd when Milan was on the tele earlier talking about Redknapp going to talk to Newcastle, you just expect him to be in the media, after what we've seen this year.

I just hope this optimism is maintained in the coming weeks and things carry on improving. Maybe even become a steady side.

Blue Army.

[LeeCovFox]

Ollie will be laughing, and I'll be creaming my pants if we pull this off!

Wenger is able to do that at Arsenal, where even playing a sid of young reserves is capable of taking them to the later stages of cup competitions and, to an extent, performing well in the league. We just can't do that, we are not that big, and we can't take cup runs for granted like some of the bigger clubs. Our best method of acclimatising these lads with first team football is to send them out on loan at a lower level (which is similar in its own way to Wenger's method of blooding his youngsters against inferiror opposition in the cups.) and watching to see how they cope with the pressures of first team football, and quite a lot of expectation (lower league clubs will be expecting a Leicester City loanee to be doing well for them).

[Thracian]

[

Nonsense... we were away for goodness sake. Do you honestly think 4,500 sunderland fans would have come down here, you'd of been lucky to get 50!!!!

We'll probably never know.

I think we had around 200/250 at the FA Youth Cup match on Wednesday, which was at home!

[Fez of Mahrez]

Nice one, yet again, Fez.

I thought it seemed quite odd when Milan was on the tele earlier talking about Redknapp going to talk to Newcastle, you just expect him to be in the media, after what we've seen this year.

I just hope this optimism is maintained in the coming weeks and things carry on improving. Maybe even become a steady side.

Blue Army.

Bollocks, didn't see that. I don't think I have seen him on the telly since Olly took over!

[Super Arj]

great post Fez

[LeeCovFox]

Wenger is able to do that at Arsenal, where even playing a side of young reserves is capable of taking them to the later stages of cup competitions and, to an extent, performing well in the league. We just can't do that, we are not that big, and we can't take cup runs for granted like some of the bigger clubs. Our best method of acclimatising these lads with first team football is to send them out on loan at a lower level (which is similar in its own way to Wenger's method of blooding his youngsters against inferiror opposition in the cups.) and watching to see how they cope with the pressures of first team football, and quite a lot of expectation (lower league clubs will be expecting a Leicester City loanee to be doing well for them).

[LeeCovFox]

Well ive completely ballsed that one up, by quoting myself. Must remember to copy before pasting!

[Simi]

Bollocks, didn't see that. I don't think I have seen him on the telly since Olly took over!

If it's any consolation he didn't even mention us, just Redknapp and his time at Pompey!

Well ive completely ballsed that one up, by quoting myself. Must remember to copy before pasting!

Why don't you just hit "reply" in the post you want to quote?

[Ultra]

He'll reappear soon enough, should we threaten to reach the top half of the table.

And he's already picked up more headlines this season than any other chairman in this league, plus quite a few in the league above as well.

[James.]

This is really nice isn't it. I propose we all hold hands, hug each other and have a sing song.

EDIT: damn it until Ultra turned up...

[davieG]

Alnwick

Stearman McAuley Kisnorbo Sheehan/Mattock

Bori/Hume Oakley Clemence Laczko

Howard Hume/Fryatt/Hayles

I'm assuming the team will be along these lines and yes there is a risk in plunging in so many new players in but it's all about balancing the risk of change against the status quo.

After the last two games I can't think of anyone who would prefer Henderson to Alnwick on the plus side he's familiar with Stearman & Mattock.

The back four should and could remain unchanged.

Centre midfield asks the question Weso, King or Oakley, surely not Chambers or N'Gotty. So who to pick, Weso needs to be nurtured back into the team, likewise King needs to be used from the bench in perfect circumstances. Oakley has a tremendous pedigree, match fitness, ex Captain of a Premier Team (ok a struggling one) He also likes to attack the penalty area, i really see no argument to him starting along side Clemence with King and/or Weso on the bench.

Upfront well I'm guessing that Howard is nailed on for this league so it's just a case of who partners him. Ask 100 fans and you'll get at least 3 answers.

The only real risk is on the wings, but then again is it a risk, who the hell else is there - no one, on that basis alone the choice is made for us. The only other option would have been Gradel but he is as much a stranger to this club as anyone else.

If it was me I'd start with this team, not because I think it's the best but to balance out the number of changes against having a reasonable attacking approach.

Alnwick

Stearman McAuley Kisnorbo Sheehan

Hume Oakley Clemence Laczko

Howard Fryatt

Subs - Henderson, Bori, King, Hayles, Mattock

With those subs we've got cover for most positions.

[Babylon]

Alnwick

Stearman McAuley Kisnorbo Sheehan

Hume Oakley Clemence Laczko

Howard Fryatt

Subs - Henderson, Bori, King, Hayles, Mattock

With those subs we've got cover for most positions.

Spot on!!

[Joe.]

I think DavieG's team is the most likely.

I doubt Bori will start and that would therefore mean Hume on the right which I'm not too bothered about. Just means Fryatt playing again, but with better service maybe he'll have more of an impact.

Looking forward to see how this team fares tomorrow.

[Koke]

There will a lot of flick ons by Howard and I just can't see Fryatt running off him. Hume needs to play next to him but that leaves a problem on the right because Bori isn't quite ready or so according to Ollie.

I don't know, I just got this feeling that the two Hungarian lads might both play and Hume and Howard will partner each other up front.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Spot on!!

I'm not convinced he will start with Bori and it sounds like Hume will play up front so not sure what he's planning for the right wing but it does look good seeing a proper left winger and two proper central midfielders in there.

[Simi]

I'm not convinced he will start with Bori and it sounds like Hume will play up front so not sure what he's planning for the right wing but it does look good seeing a proper left winger and two proper central midfielders in there.

I have a feeling we'll be seeing Chambers right wing, Stearman right back.

Or Hayles, after Southamton anyway. I wouldn't of dreamt it else.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I have a feeling we'll be seeing Chambers right wing, Stearman right back.

Or Hayles, after Southamton anyway. I wouldn't of dreamt it else.

I'd have said Chambers if he hadn't dropped him after QPR. So in summary, I have no real idea. But I am looking forward to finding out.

[lildave3]

I have a feeling we'll be seeing Chambers right wing, Stearman right back.

Or Hayles, after Southamton anyway. I wouldn't of dreamt it else.

I don't want either.

Fryatt is another possibility. Another possibility I don't want however,

[Koke]

I don't want either.

Fryatt is another possibility. Another possibility I don't want however,

Which is why I actually think Bori might just start despite the huge language barrier. It'll be interesting to see though what Ollie does.

[David O'Leary]

And how much have Kaebi and Fantasy Fryatt been talked about?

This is a weird club.

We had eight fans and a coachload of parents at the Academy play-off final compared with 4,600 Sunderland supporters.

There was no doubting what they thought of their Under 18's.

Down here we think far more of signings from outside.

Fryatt's what 22? And still people sing his praises. Stearman's roughly the same age but gets hammered mercilessly.

And don't blame Stearman on me. I've hardly been his biggest fan.

But he's sure done as much for the cause as Fryatt these last two years.

Because recently Fryatt has shown us what he can do, while on the other other hand, Stearman has been shit for most of the season.

[ronnup]

Fez. Cheers mate. Seriously.

I am bubbling with excitement about tomorrow as usual and we're excited every week, that's why we've got season tickets. But this time it is special, and you caught the buzz well there. I'm sure it'll be folk like yourself cheering your arse off for these new lads that'll see them perform well and give em a lift.

COME ON YOU fooking COV SCUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Benji]

I can't see Hume playing right wing after Holloway sticking up top in training for once and then banging on about how happy he was...

although it will be interesting to see who does

[ibbosuk]

Alnwick

Stearman McAuley Kisnorbo Sheehan/Mattock

Bori/Hume Oakley Clemence Laczko

Howard Hume/Fryatt/Hayles

I'm assuming the team will be along these lines and yes there is a risk in plunging in so many new players in but it's all about balancing the risk of change against the status quo.

After the last two games I can't think of anyone who would prefer Henderson to Alnwick on the plus side he's familiar with Stearman & Mattock.

The back four should and could remain unchanged.

Centre midfield asks the question Weso, King or Oakley, surely not Chambers or N'Gotty. So who to pick, Weso needs to be nurtured back into the team, likewise King needs to be used from the bench in perfect circumstances. Oakley has a tremendous pedigree, match fitness, ex Captain of a Premier Team (ok a struggling one) He also likes to attack the penalty area, i really see no argument to him starting along side Clemence with King and/or Weso on the bench.

Upfront well I'm guessing that Howard is nailed on for this league so it's just a case of who partners him. Ask 100 fans and you'll get at least 3 answers.

The only real risk is on the wings, but then again is it a risk, who the hell else is there - no one, on that basis alone the choice is made for us. The only other option would have been Gradel but he is as much a stranger to this club as anyone else.

If it was me I'd start with this team, not because I think it's the best but to balance out the number of changes against having a reasonable attacking approach.

Alnwick

Stearman McAuley Kisnorbo Sheehan

Hume Oakley Clemence Laczko

Howard Fryatt

Subs - Henderson, Bori, King, Hayles, Mattock

With those subs we've got cover for most positions.

Narr.. I think Ollie will go Bori in place of Hume, Hume along side Howard, Fryatt warms the bench