Sunderland starting 11 and team news

Any word on who the #1 keeper is going to be?

What do Sunderland fans reckon on Craig Gardner? Will he be first choice?

Any ideas on Sunderland's first XI after their signing spree? Is David Vaughan worth considering as an enabler?

I believe the new Capt (oshea) is injured.
Any idea on back 4 now please? I was initially thinking something like Bardsley, Brown, Oshea, Turner or Bramble with prob Oshea and Bardsley as FB's

Bump!

Sunderland does seem to be ateam where few "specialists" come onto FISO.

Could on Mackems - be proud, be loud! Help us out with thoughts on the starting XI (I've got Bardsley and Sessegnon in a squad/auction game - are they safe?)

Not a clue really, but the rumours of Bellamy are not going away..........

OK - just guessing but I think if injury free the back 4 will be O'Shea, Brown, Bramble & Bardsley.

Bardsley and Sessegnon are imo nailed on.

Vaughan is more difficult. I think it could depend on the formation. I think it will be 451. With Gyan up front supported by Sessegnon. Cattermole when available is 1st name on the team sheet. Which leaves 3 mid field berths Larrson, Gardner get 2 of them - leaving Colbeck, Vaughan and Richardson (and Wickham, etc) to fight for last place.

This week as O'Shea may be injured either Richardson will fit in back 4 or Elmohammady will get the nod.

Many thanks!

Cheers, thats really helpful
Just one query, what about Turner? Was nailed on before injury at beginning of last season and they paided a lot for him. Thought he might get nod over Bramble or at least play if Oshea is out with Brown at RB and Bardsley at LB!!
Any thoughts?

Cheers

Colbeck is not Premier standard, at least he wasn't when Keane had him on loan.

Any ideas on who will be No 1 goalkeeper?

Will Gordon come back in when fit?

Anyone?

Sorry Purge54 already commented on keeper on another thread. Gordon I've never liked. Think he was bad signing by Keane at 9m. In last year of contract been unlucky with injuries, but he wont walk into team when fit unless we are in really bad stste.

blahblah - Colbeck I agree not premiership standard yet but Bruce likes him and put him in loads of starts at end of last season - this season much more comp for places. Also dont forget we have David Mayler and Campbell long term injuries both looked the part before injury.

Turner will be behind Bramble in pecking order - Brown & Bramble will be preferred central pairing. Turner on bench.

Hope this turns out to be correct!! Fingers crossed.

Bruce was on radio this week - touting Richardson as a future England left back. I kid you not - BBC Newcastle Tuesday 9th August.

thanks pm.

craig gordon wont be fit for the begining of the season so it does not matter. however for the record gordon best keeper to play for sunderland in the last twenty years and will walk into the team when fully fit.

I thought Bardsley was nailed on

Didn't Brown start at right back?

I would guess

Westwood

Brown Turner Bramble Bardsley

Cattermole O'Shea

RW Sessything LW

Gyan

I don't knwo enough to guess the wingers, but there must be a few among the new signings, certainly Wickham has played wide before, and with some success (but surely he won't start, yet).

Turner will be a DEFINATE starter at centre half.

no he wont hes not even 1st back up as we speak.

The Guardian's Louise Taylor ..

'Steve Bruce generally loves to see Titus Bramble and Michael Turner paired in central defence but, after recovering from knee injuries sustained last season, that duo have been woeful during pre-season.Might it mean Wes Brown starting in the middle rather than at right back and finding himself partnering that unexpected survivor Anton Ferdinand at Liverpool tomorrow? Other managerial dilemmas include whether to start Simon Mignolet or Keiren Westwood in goal. Similarly will it be Phil Bardsley, last year's player of the season, or Kieran Richardson at left back. Up front I'd be surprised if Stephane Sessegnon does not play just behind Asamoah Gyan'

My guess

Mignolet
Bardsley Brown Bramble Richardson

all to score minus points tomorrow

Andy

Okay - latest news on both radio and evening paper Bramble & Turner may be overlooked for Ferdinand!
Apparently they were "rusty" in preseason.

The word is the starting line-up tomorrow is the starting lineup used in last Sats friendly at Hibs (whatever that was!)

Mignolet, Bardsley, Richardson (Elmohamady, 56), Ferdinand, Brown, Colback, Larsson, Cattermole (Turner, 64), Gardner (Vaughan, 64), Gyan (Dong-Won, 64), Sessegnon (Wickham, 72).

Cheers blahblah.
We shall see tomorrow - how Mr Bruces mind works is a mystery to me!

Any guesses on the Sunderland back 4 when all are fit - in particular will Michael Turner be first choice??

probably, as they have no one else. he's above kilgallon in the pecking order, brambles continued troubles probably precludes him but I'd be suprised if they didn't bring someone else in.

Thanks. To be confirmed then, in summary!

Martin O'Neill will check on the fitness of captain Lee Cattermole before Saturday's FA Cup with Budweiser tie against Arsenal.

The midfielder has been out of action since the latter stages of January with a hamstring injury, missing both ties against former club Middlesbrough in the previous round.

But the 23-year-old has been back on the training ground in the last few days and seemingly has a chance of being involved in the squad this weekend.

"We're hoping that Lee will be added to the list," he confirmed. "He has done a little bit of training over the last couple of days.

"As we speak we haven't yet gone out this morning, so he's got today and tomorrow. We'll have a little look.

"Lee is playing very well at the moment and would be a great addition for us."

Meanwhile there's more good news for O'Neill on the injury front with Nicklas Bendtner back in training following a facial injury.

Matt Kilgallon is also back in contention after returning to action last week, while David Vaughan is forging ahead in his rehabilitation following an ankle problem.

"Bendtner has done some training but is of course ineligible to play in the Arsenal game," the manager explained.

"David Vaughan is making some progress. Matthew Kilgallon is coming through as well, though he didn't make the squad last weekend because he'd only done one or two days' training.

"It's been a good week for him, too. We are getting a few people back."

http://www.safc.com/news/20120216/oneil ... 13_2612823