Jozy starts in a 2-striker formation alongside Fletcher. Friedel on the bench. #safc team to play @SpursOfficial: Mannone, Bardsley, Celustka, O'Shea (C), Brown, Ki, Colback, Larsson, Johnson, Fletcher, Altidore.— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 7, 2013 #safc subs: Dossena, Gardner, Pickford, Diakite, Giaccherini, Borini, Cattermole.— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 7, 2013 Team v Sunderland - Lloris; Walker, Capoue, Dawson, Naughton; Dembele, Paulinho; Lennon, Holtby, Chadli; Defoe. #THFC— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 7, 2013 Subs v Sunderland - Friedel, Fryers, Lamela, Sandro, Sigurdsson, Townsend, Soldado. #THFC— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 7, 2013
Good, I like it. But I don't really like Giaccherini on the bench, would prefer him to start too. Tottenham haven't looked very good this season so I think Sunderland could get some points out of this one. They definitely need it.
Game starts at 12:30 p.m. eastern on NBC Sports Network, NBC Sports Live Extra, and Sirius XM Channel 94
fuxing Larsson and Johnson. Have to be the two worst starting wings in the EPL. I look for a lot of long, worthless balls out of the back, and Larssen to walk his way through most of the match, and Johnson to dribble his way into a horrible shot or loss of possession. I hope Giac is hurt. Otherwise there is no excuse for him to not be starting. The good thing I see, and the reason they're 442 is that Jozy is going to get a chance to beat up on Capoue, who is a DM by trade.
Results at the bottom really going against Sunderland. They need to get 6 points by New Years if they're going to make a real run at being safe. Maybe even more. What a disastrous decision to keep PDC in the summer.
i'm not sure about Sunderlands midfield, Spurs will surely win the midfield battle. I can see this game end in a draw considering spurs have always found it difficult to create chances.
spurs win the possession battle in amost every game. They play to hold the ball with a brutally slow tempo, and no apparent impetus to score. Poyet will be happy to concede possession with a chance to battle the 2 iffy centerbacks 2v2. Sunderland will be TRYING to counter down the wings and cross to the forwards. Whether these wing players can put anything resembling decent service into the box will be the question. If the past is any indicator, I look for Johnson to frustrate the shit out of all of us, and Larssen to do much of nothing outside set pieces.
Jozy's positioning looks more fluid with Fletcher playing in the front line. This might keep him more involved throughout.
Bardsley with a straight ball over the top to Fletcher who probably should have scored. Fairly tame shot wide.
jesus, its like Sunderland are conspiring against Jozy...... they never look for him unless its blatantly obvious
Fletcher with a good turn, plays it to Jozy's feet at the top of the box, who lays it off perfectly for Colback. Poor shot high near post. Should have gone across the goal.
Nice play by Colback, pass to Jozy who lays it off to Larsson, who shoots high. Sunderland playing like a much improved team now.