Closed Sunderland v Chelsea

[Reddish-Blue 2,504]

Don't really care who plays, just need the 3 points.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Don't really care who plays, just need the 3 points.

What's the betting they have the game of their lives against us?

[klopfzeichen 78]

was thinking about you today and expecting you to show up ...guess you are pleased with the barcodes today...

WE are in wonderful form ....expect Torres to destroy you ... ..hope people respect you this time Jack// catch up with you later

[Stats 7,142]

I wonder if Oscar will be on the bench for a third consecutive game.... tbh i would like to see Hazard, Mata and Moses again.

[Mbrooks0811 25]

While the mid-week CL match gave us some indication of the team mindset, I hope Benitez doesn't over think our second-half meltdown against West Ham and respond by having us play a very negative style of football. Definitely wouldn't mind seeing Moses in the starting lineup, and I think Azpi has shown that he is in a fighting position to start at RB. Looking forward to the match (it's been a while since I could honestly say that).

[Joker10 946]

I wonder if Oscar will be on the bench for a third consecutive game.... tbh i would like to see Hazard, Mata and Moses again.

Maybe Ramires on the bench, Oscar playing alongside Romeu.

[Stats 7,142]

Maybe Ramires on the bench, Oscar playing alongside Romeu.

No way will Rafa play Oscar in the double pivot role IMO. Quite sure it will be Mikel (if he appeals) and Ramires or Ramires and Romeu or possibly Mikel and Romeu.

[EdenHazard 163]

Must win, No matter how. 3 points is vital.

From what i saw on Wednesday, Hopefully we can play like that and win comfortably. I know it was against an easy opponent, But we're more than capable of doing that against good sides.

Not sure if Terry/Lampard will be rushed back. Heard they're looking to be fit. But personally i wouldn't risk them, Just make sure they're 100% before we bring them back. No point risking them, then aggravating one of their injuries and then just being without them again for another month or so.

[Jase 43,479]

Can't see us getting anything here

We've been truly dire all season, the performance against QPR last week was as bad as anything under Bruce. I'm a ST holder but I'm foisting this one on me my dad as I've got tickets for Pulp in Sheffield. At least I'll be guaranteed to enjoy myself

Wouldn't be surprised if you guys have the game of your lives against us.

And worth remembering that the last time Benitez visited the Stadium of Light, his Liverpool team lost 1-0 via a beach ball!

[Strike 7,489]

Benitez, change something in the team. you know when things aren't going for you, u change things and go for a fresh perspective. that's why he was hired right?

nordsjaelland result is irrelevant given that they were under-strength anyway. need to pick up points and go on a good run for the next month

[Green Lantern18 54]

No way will Rafa play Oscar in the double pivot role IMO. Quite sure it will be Mikel (if he appeals) and Ramires or Ramires and Romeu or possibly Mikel and Romeu.

Nope it most definitely will be Romeu. Because Mikel has been banned for 3 games by the FA.

Mikel had already admitted a charge that he confronted referee Mark Clattenburg in the official's changing room after the game before today's personal hearing.

Today's decision by the Independent Regulatory Commission revealed the sanction, which included a £60,000 fine, would have been "significantly longer" but for the fact Mikel had believed he had been racially abused by Clattenburg.

The suspension will take effect immediately and rule Mikel out of domestic duty until Boxing Day.

http://www.independe...ms-8390367.html

[Ankit 3,176]

Well, i was just thinking about the Manchester derby. What would suit us more(Considering we win first). A city win and we will be 7 points behind the leaders. A Utd win and we will be 4 points behind 2nd place. What could be more tempting in the long run?

[Green Lantern18 54]

Well, i was just thinking about the Manchester derby. What would suit us more(Considering we win first). A city win and we will be 7 points behind the leaders. A Utd win and we will be 4 points behind 2nd place. What could be more tempting in the long run?

It's probably just wishful thinking on my part. But i think a draw would be nice.

[Jase 43,479]

Well, i was just thinking about the Manchester derby. What would suit us more(Considering we win first). A city win and we will be 7 points behind the leaders. A Utd win and we will be 4 points behind 2nd place. What could be more tempting in the long run?

Think I would be happy as long as United don't win but the best possible result for us is probably a draw. Will be 8 points behind United and 5 behind City. Closer to second then as opposed to City winning and then staying 7 clear of us.

Having said that, right now think I'm more worried what are the teams below us are gonna do. West Brom and Spurs are on level points with us while the likes of Everton and Arsenal are not too far behind. Forget the title race at the moment, we need the points mainly to stay in the Top 3/4 and pull clear of the others.

[didierforever 7,349]

Maybe Ramires on the bench, Oscar playing alongside Romeu.

that would be nothing less than a disaster...

[Ankit 3,176]

Think I would be happy as long as United don't win but the best possible result for us is probably a draw. Will be 8 points behind United and 5 behind City. Closer to second then as opposed to City winning and then staying 7 clear of us.

Having said that, right now think I'm more worried what are the teams below us are gonna do. West Brom and Spurs are on level points with us while the likes of Everton and Arsenal are not too far behind. Forget the title race at the moment, we need the points mainly to stay in the Top 3/4 and pull clear of the others.

We play Sunderland(A), Soton(H), Villa(H) in our next 3 fixtures.

Spurs play Everton(A), Swansea(H), Stoke(H)

West Brom play Arsenal(A), West Ham(H),Norwich(H)

Everton play Spurs(H), Stoke(A), West ham(A).

[Jase 43,479]

We play Sunderland(A), Soton(H), Villa(H) in our next 3 fixtures.

Spurs play Everton(A), Swansea(H), Stoke(H)

West Brom play Arsenal(A), West Ham(H),Norwich(H)

Everton play Spurs(H), Stoke(A), West ham(A).

Our home game against Southampton has been postponed due to our involvement in the CWC.

On paper, we have games coming up that we should win and so should the other teams but given the unpredictability of the results these days, we could easily drop points in those games as well. Remember, what happened against Villa at the Bridge last season? After the game, we have Norwich and Everton both away during the Christmas period. Norwich are in good form now(unbeaten in 8 - W4 D4) and Goodison is generally bad place for us where we never seem to win.

[Strike 7,489]

Our home game against Southampton has been postponed due to our involvement in the CWC.

On paper, we have games coming up that we should win and so should the other teams but given the unpredictability of the results these days, we could easily drop points in those games as well. Remember, what happened against Villa at the Bridge last season? After the game, we have Norwich and Everton both away during the Christmas period. Norwich are in good form now(unbeaten in 8 - W4 D4) and Goodison is generally bad place for us where we never seem to win.

. Even Villa, Norwich etc seem to be tough games now

[Jase 43,479]

. Even Villa, Norwich etc seem to be tough games now

Precisely my point earlier. Let's just focus on getting the 3 points and staying in the Top 3 for now, ignoring what happen with the 2 Manchester clubs above us. If we can do that, then we'll see where we are come next January or February and re-evaluate our targets/priorities then. Do not want what happened last season in the league to happen again.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Well, i was just thinking about the Manchester derby. What would suit us more(Considering we win first). A city win and we will be 7 points behind the leaders. A Utd win and we will be 4 points behind 2nd place. What could be more tempting in the long run?

I'll be hoping for a Man City win.

I honestly think the league is beyond us and that we should focus just on a top four finish. In that case, we then need to look at who we want to win the league and that for me is all about who will be in charge next season.

If CIty don't win the league, Mancini is probably gone. That increases competition for either Pep or Jose. If United win the league, Fergie coud very well retire 'on top'. That's another hat in the ring for a top coach.

If City do win the league then Mancini should stick around (for one more go at the CL) and Fergie will hopefully want to try and win the league at least one more time. That is the best situation for us.

Plus lets not forget that United fans are twats.