Making the trip up more in hope than expectation. I think Bowyer did well to paper over some significant cracks after Robinson left but this summers hollowing out of the squad will come home to roost and I genuinely think we could be comfortably beaten.
The only cause for hope is that they are basically a new team, with a new manager and might not have gelled yet.
Pratley needs to start and give us at least 60 minutes. Aribo is capable of playing wide.
Score could be anything. I'll go with a 1-1 draw.
I can also see this side playing. I think it depends on Pratley’s fitness levels as well as whether we sign anyone prior to the game, i.e the trialists.
I do think people are being too pessimistic. It’s going to be a tight affair and one I think Bowyer will make sure we aren’t too open. There are going to be some crazy scores on the opening day, I just can’t see us being one of them. Sunderland have also not had the greatest of preparations with their last game in pre-season being abandoned and they have a new team, with many of the players who have played in their pre-season now not with the club, McManaman being one.
Pratley needs to start and give us at least 60 minutes. Aribo is capable of playing wide.
Score could be anything. I'll go with a 1-1 draw.
I can also see this side playing. I think it depends on Pratley’s fitness levels as well as whether we sign anyone prior to the game, i.e the trialists.
I do think people are being too pessimistic. It’s going to be a tight affair and one I think Bowyer will make sure we aren’t too open. There are going to be some crazy scores on the opening day, I just can’t see us being one of them. Sunderland have also not had the greatest of preparations with their last game in pre-season being abandoned and they have a new team, with many of the players who have played in their pre-season now not with the club, McManaman being one.
I can see this working as Aribo likes to drift inside and Grant likes to cut in from left.
I don’t get the hype about Sunderland ? They are a big club in terms of fan base. Their squad looks small and they have a lot of injuries. Their players are no better than ours. 0-2 Charlton.
I think it will be 1-1. They will start slow and we will be all over them, second half they will come out better and get a early goal through Wyke, we will bring on Taylor late on with Sarr and get a classic smash and grab point with Taylor running up to the home fans and cupping his ears.
I think we'll win. Sunderland will reckon that they're better than us and come into the match with the wrong attitude. It'll be another Charlton false dawn but I'll enjoy it all the same.
Can't see any trialist signing today/tomorrow and then starting on Saturday after they were left out last weekend.
Wont they have to sign before 12noon tomorrow too if they want to be involved on Saturday?
Is irritating we cant put Dawkins on Non-Contract Terms just for this one game like we did with Bally Smart all those years ago and then go from there, it'll mean he'll only be eligible to play for one more side this season yet with the transfer window closing at the end of the month he'll be limited on where he can go until next summer anyway
I think as we haven't got a settled midfield yet it would be best to try the 3-4-3
Dillon Bauer, Pearce, Sarr Solly, Page JFC / Aribo Marshall/ Grant Taylor (RHF/ Ajose if unfit)
looks solid on paper and away so might be a bit defensive but with the squad we have it will fit the personnel in available imo.
The issue i have with what is technically 5 at the back (Sols/Page as wingbacks) is that because they are not wingers you lose attacking width which means we create far less. If Marshall and Grant stay wide to compensate for this then we get overrun through the middle.
At this level you cant go far wrong with a flat 4-4-2.
I think as we haven't got a settled midfield yet it would be best to try the 3-4-3
Dillon Bauer, Pearce, Sarr Solly, Page JFC / Aribo Marshall/ Grant Taylor (RHF/ Ajose if unfit)
looks solid on paper and away so might be a bit defensive but with the squad we have it will fit the personnel in available imo.
The issue i have with what is technically 5 at the back (Sols/Page as wingbacks) is that because they are not wingers you lose attacking width which means we create far less. If Marshall and Grant stay wide to compensate for this then we get overrun through the middle.
At this level you cant go far wrong with a flat 4-4-2.
Its not ideal, but based on what we have to work with i think will be more solid away first game. Solly in the past can get forward given the chance and Page can, if they are told to play as high as possible and stick to it with Centre backs covering as it should be played it could work.
Although if we haven't really practiced this formation its unlikely as it would be pointless. Just my 2 pennies, dont see it happening at all.
Comments
I knew you wouldn't let me down.
But....it’s a funny old game.
The only cause for hope is that they are basically a new team, with a new manager and might not have gelled yet.
Sunderland 3 - 1 Charlton*
*not sure I predicted a defeat all last season
--------Phillips
-Solly Bauer Pearce Page
Marshall Pratley JFC Aribo
------Taylor Grant
Pratley needs to start and give us at least 60 minutes. Aribo is capable of playing wide.
Score could be anything. I'll go with a 1-1 draw.
I do think people are being too pessimistic. It’s going to be a tight affair and one I think Bowyer will make sure we aren’t too open. There are going to be some crazy scores on the opening day, I just can’t see us being one of them. Sunderland have also not had the greatest of preparations with their last game in pre-season being abandoned and they have a new team, with many of the players who have played in their pre-season now not with the club, McManaman being one.
Load of shat.
Sunderland will score all the goals.
Solly Bauer Pearce Page
Marshall Aribo Forster-Caskey Dawkins
Taylor Grant
Maynard-Brewer, Sarr, Pratley, Maloney, Lapslie, Hackett-Fairchild, Ajose
Sunderland 3-0 Charlton Athletic
Is irritating we cant put Dawkins on Non-Contract Terms just for this one game like we did with Bally Smart all those years ago and then go from there, it'll mean he'll only be eligible to play for one more side this season yet with the transfer window closing at the end of the month he'll be limited on where he can go until next summer anyway
Dillon
Bauer, Pearce, Sarr
Solly, Page
JFC / Aribo
Marshall/ Grant
Taylor (RHF/ Ajose if unfit)
looks solid on paper and away so might be a bit defensive but with the squad we have it will fit the personnel in available imo.
At this level you cant go far wrong with a flat 4-4-2.
Although if we haven't really practiced this formation its unlikely as it would be pointless. Just my 2 pennies, dont see it happening at all.