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Post by FullerMagic on Jul 24, 2014 19:16:11 GMT
Obviously injuries and suspensions will play a part and a broken leg changes everything - but there's normally 7-8 select players who start the bulk of games and you can ink in when they're fit.
It'd be interesting to see what people are expecting especially as we're apparently chasing at least one more winger?
Last season the only 25+ game players were:
Shawcross 37
Cameron 37
N'Zonzi 34
Pieters 34
Begovic 32
Crouch 30
Wilson 30
Whelan 28
Arnie 27
Walters 27
I'd probably have a punt on:
Begovic
Bardsley
Shawcross
N'Zonzi
Huth
Arnie
Diouf
-If Huth stays fit, I think he'll be the regular there, but does Wilson twiddle his thumbs for the majority of the season after 4 seasons as a regular and an impressive season? Even the prospect of starts at RB, LB (where he'd be perfectly fine) and CM seem remote for him with the strengthening.
-I'm tempted to put Sidwell in as a prospective 30-start man as he sure as hell hasn't come to be a bit-part player, but I can't see where he fits in the starting XI.
-But his presence is the same reason you'd have to have doubts about Whelan starting as much as last season, even though he was great and is a really different player to Sidwell.
-And we also don't know if the N'Zonzi issues are fully put to bed. But if he stays, surely he's the midfield fulcrum.
-No idea how the power battle at left-back stands in Hughes' mind now either
-Only one of Adam and Ireland plays. Presumably Ireland still wears the Daddy Pants there? And is Bojan another option there playing off Diouf? Hard to see Adam getting much action. He didn't start a game after March 1st.
-Is Wingie still the main man on the right? Or will Bojan take some of his minutes, not to mention the potential claims of Mystery Foreign Winger or someone else?
Arnie may yet get some game time there too -if Assaidi/Redmond/someone else come in as an option on the left?
-Surely Diouf will start whenever he's fit? With Crouchy likely to get a handful of starts if Diouf stays largely injury-free.
-Walters? Hmm. Is it harsh to say it's hard to see him starting at all? As valuablr and admirable as he is. And as many starts as he got last year, there just seems too much competition everywhere you look
-Cameron? Another toughie. I'm fairly sure he'll only play when Bardsley is injured. And I can't see him breaking through as remotely a regular in central midfield
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2014 19:32:19 GMT
Obviously injuries and suspensions will play a part and a broken leg changes everything - but there's normally 7-8 select players who start the bulk of games and you can ink in when they're fit. It'd be interesting to see what people are expecting especially as we're apparently chasing at least one more winger? Last season the only 25+ game players were:
Shawcross 37
Cameron 37
N'Zonzi 34
Pieters 34
Begovic 32
Crouch 30
Wilson 30
Whelan 28
Arnie 27
Walters 27I'd probably have a punt on: Begovic Bardsley Shawcross N'Zonzi Huth Arnie Diouf -If Huth stays fit, I think he'll be the regular there, but does Wilson twiddle his thumbs for the majority of the season after 4 seasons as a regular and an impressive season? Even the prospect of starts at RB, LB (where he'd be perfectly fine) and CM seem remote for him with the strengthening. -I'm tempted to put Sidwell in as a prospective 30-start man as he sure as hell hasn't come to be a bit-part player, but I can't see where he fits in the starting XI. -But his presence is the same reason you'd have to have doubts about Whelan starting as much as last season, even though he was great and is a really different player to Sidwell. -And we also don't know if the N'Zonzi issues are fully put to bed. But if he stays, surely he's the midfield fulcrum. -No idea how the power battle at left-back stands in Hughes' mind now either -Only one of Adam and Ireland plays. Presumably Ireland still wears the Daddy Pants there? And is Bojan another option there playing off Diouf? Hard to see Adam getting much action. He didn't start a game after March 1st. -Is Wingie still the main man on the right? Or will Bojan take some of his minutes, not to mention the potential claims of Mystery Foreign Winger or someone else? Arnie may yet get some game time there too -if Assaidi/Redmond/someone else come in as an option on the left? -Surely Diouf will start whenever he's fit? With Crouchy likely to get a handful of starts if Diouf stays largely injury-free. -Walters? Hmm. Is it harsh to say it's hard to see him starting at all? As valuablr and admirable as he is. And as many starts as he got last year, there just seems too much competition everywhere you look -Cameron? Another toughie. I'm fairly sure he'll only play when Bardsley is injured. And I can't see him breaking through as remotely a regular in central midfield I think you need to put a decimal point between the words John & Walters. 2.7 |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2014 19:39:36 GMT
Bego
Bardsley
Shawcross
Pieters
Whelan
NZonzi
Arnie
Diouf
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Post by FullerMagic on Jul 24, 2014 19:46:17 GMT
I think you need to put a decimal point between the words John & Walters. 2.7 Think that might be close to his total next year, mumfy. If we do buy another winger, it is hard to see him starting in the league. He is very resilient and he normally finds a way to surprise you. Obviously managers love having him around and can't speak highly enough about what he adds to the squad, but there doesn't seem any way that he won't be getting very pissed off and asking for a move come January. And with a year left on his deal, is it better to cut the cord this summer with him approaching his 31st birthday? He only started once after his suspension in early March - and others have been added with another one supposedly on the way. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2014 19:48:44 GMT
Bego
Shawcross
NZonzi
Whelan
Arnie
Diouf
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2014 19:49:26 GMT
I've heard that the Assaidi deal is almost at an end.
I think our attention is now with Redmond and an improved bid is going in very soon , maybe tomorrow.
£5 million perhaps.
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Post by jezzascfc on Jul 24, 2014 19:51:14 GMT
Obviously injuries and suspensions will play a part and a broken leg changes everything - but there's normally 7-8 select players who start the bulk of games and you can ink in when they're fit. It'd be interesting to see what people are expecting especially as we're apparently chasing at least one more winger? Last season the only 25+ game players were:
Shawcross 37
Cameron 37
N'Zonzi 34
Pieters 34
Begovic 32
Crouch 30
Wilson 30
Whelan 28
Arnie 27
Walters 27I'd probably have a punt on: Begovic Bardsley Shawcross N'Zonzi Huth Arnie Diouf -If Huth stays fit, I think he'll be the regular there, but does Wilson twiddle his thumbs for the majority of the season after 4 seasons as a regular and an impressive season? Even the prospect of starts at RB, LB (where he'd be perfectly fine) and CM seem remote for him with the strengthening. -I'm tempted to put Sidwell in as a prospective 30-start man as he sure as hell hasn't come to be a bit-part player, but I can't see where he fits in the starting XI. -But his presence is the same reason you'd have to have doubts about Whelan starting as much as last season, even though he was great and is a really different player to Sidwell. -And we also don't know if the N'Zonzi issues are fully put to bed. But if he stays, surely he's the midfield fulcrum. -No idea how the power battle at left-back stands in Hughes' mind now either -Only one of Adam and Ireland plays. Presumably Ireland still wears the Daddy Pants there? And is Bojan another option there playing off Diouf? Hard to see Adam getting much action. He didn't start a game after March 1st. -Is Wingie still the main man on the right? Or will Bojan take some of his minutes, not to mention the potential claims of Mystery Foreign Winger or someone else? Arnie may yet get some game time there too -if Assaidi/Redmond/someone else come in as an option on the left? -Surely Diouf will start whenever he's fit? With Crouchy likely to get a handful of starts if Diouf stays largely injury-free. -Walters? Hmm. Is it harsh to say it's hard to see him starting at all? As valuablr and admirable as he is. And as many starts as he got last year, there just seems too much competition everywhere you look -Cameron? Another toughie. I'm fairly sure he'll only play when Bardsley is injured. And I can't see him breaking through as remotely a regular in central midfield Good analysis, which shows the question marks over the future at the club of some of the players who have been almost regular starters this past year or two - like Adam, Crouch, Walters and Cameron. Do they get used to reduced minutes (Crouch may do given his age and this being the last year of his bumper contract) or seek pastures new? I can see Adam and Walters becoming restless, but Cameron's versatility may see him play a decent amount of minutes, just not necessarily all at right back like last season. It is hard to keep 20+ players happy, especially if we do not go on a good cup run, and several will get time out on loan (more so the younger ones - Butland, Jonny Tex - and those we may find hard to shift - Shotton, Palacios, Shea) to keep match fit, or decide to jump ship for a regular starting spot (maybe Adam and Walters). |
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Post by stokiejoe on Jul 24, 2014 19:55:13 GMT
If Sidwell plays immediately in front of back four as a defensive midfielder he will probably get 25+ games.
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Post by FakeStokeBloke on Jul 24, 2014 20:40:25 GMT
I only think there are a few nailed on who will play every game unless injured or suspended:
Begovic
Shawcross
N'zonzi
Arnautovic
Diouf
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Post by numpty40 on Jul 24, 2014 20:40:43 GMT
I can see Sidwell getting a lot of game time, likewise Bego, Shawcross, N'Zonzi, Arnie and also Ireland!!
There are a lot of places up for grabs and Hughes has shown he'll pick players on merit rather than reputation.
There is a healthy scramble for places in the team and I wouldn't write Crouch of just yet.
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Post by muglump on Jul 24, 2014 21:31:59 GMT
I only think there are a few nailed on who will play every game unless injured or suspended: Begovic Shawcross N'zonzi Arnautovic Diouf sounds like a reasonable spine of a team |
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Post by FakeStokeBloke on Jul 24, 2014 22:09:28 GMT
I only think there are a few nailed on who will play every game unless injured or suspended: Begovic Shawcross N'zonzi Arnautovic Diouf sounds like a reasonable spine of a team Then Hughes has the nice problem of picking the rest, Muniesa/Pieters, Whelan/Sidwell, Bojan/Odemwingie/Ireland |
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Post by mickstupp on Jul 25, 2014 0:11:24 GMT
Don't forget we will be losing Diouf for a big chunk if the winter due to the African Nations Cup.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 0:30:17 GMT
Don't forget we will be losing Diouf for a big chunk if the winter due to the African Nations Cup. How long is it they're gone for? A month? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 0:36:03 GMT
Don't forget we will be losing Diouf for a big chunk if the winter due to the African Nations Cup. Send Walters out with his shirt..."Diouf".. No one will know.   |
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Post by march4 on Jul 25, 2014 1:20:23 GMT
Walters will be first to this target.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 5:54:08 GMT
Walters will be first to this target.  |
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Post by metalhead on Jul 25, 2014 9:15:36 GMT
Begovic
Shawcross
N'Zonzi
Huth
Arnie
Diouf
I would say are pretty much guaranteed.
But after that your guess is as good as mine.
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Post by block27row27 on Jul 25, 2014 9:23:53 GMT
I really really don't understand why people think that Bardsley is going to be a regular. Hardly set the world alight at Sunderland and we've currently got a right back of a similar calibre. If anything, Cameron and Bardsley will share that spot throughout the season. Do not understand this love in for such a bang average player.
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Post by metalhead on Jul 25, 2014 9:26:30 GMT
I really really don't understand why people think that Bardsley is going to be a regular. Hardly set the world alight at Sunderland and we've currently got a right back of a similar calibre. If anything, Cameron and Bardsley will share that spot throughout the season. Do not understand this love in for such a bang average player. Precisely the reason I didn't include him in my list. I think Bardsley will do okay, but it wouldn't surprise me if he goes through a bad patch or even plays poorly and loses his spot to Cameron. Sunderland fans, as in Sunderland the idiots we mock, were absolutely delighted that he'd signed for us. I think that says something. He's a decent full back, but he isn't fucking Roberto Carlos and I would not be surprised if him and Cameron rotate that spot throughout the season as one comes into form and the other dips. |
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Post by FullerMagic on Jul 25, 2014 9:29:53 GMT
I really really don't understand why people think that Bardsley is going to be a regular. Hardly set the world alight at Sunderland and we've currently got a right back of a similar calibre. If anything, Cameron and Bardsley will share that spot throughout the season. Do not understand this love in for such a bang average player. I agree to a large extent. I'm not really a fan of Bardsley from what I've seen, and was a bit underwhelmed that he was the man Hughes targeted. But the fact Hughes brought him in on presumably very decent wages with Cameron, Wilko (who we must have convinced was still in the mix when he was given a new deal?) and Shotton already here, as well as Wilson who could have easily dropped in there - and with Hughes having seen Cameron play every game last season there shows it was a position he was keen to upgrade defensively, as he sees it. I can't see anything else but Bardsley starting the season at RB and having to under-perform to let Cameron back in. |
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Post by metalhead on Jul 25, 2014 9:38:39 GMT
I really really don't understand why people think that Bardsley is going to be a regular. Hardly set the world alight at Sunderland and we've currently got a right back of a similar calibre. If anything, Cameron and Bardsley will share that spot throughout the season. Do not understand this love in for such a bang average player. I agree to a large extent. I'm not really a fan of Bardsley from what I've seen, and was a bit underwhelmed that he was the man Hughes targeted. But the fact Hughes brought him in on presumably very decent wages with Cameron, Wilko (who we must have convinced was still in the mix when he was given a new deal?) and Shotton already here, as well as Wilson who could have easily dropped in there - and with Hughes having seen Cameron play every game last season there shows it was a position he was keen to upgrade defensively, as he sees it. I can't see anything else but Bardsley starting the season at RB and having to under-perform to let Cameron back in. Not necessarily. I could easily argue that the reason Cameron started pretty much every game last season, is because he is so much better (imo) than both Shotton and Wilkinson and I absolutely love Wilko so I'm only speaking from the head. Cameron is significantly better than those two, no question, even if Wilko is probably better defensively, Cameron offers more. It wouldn't be off the mark to say that Bardsley may have come in to give Cameron genuine competition and force him to up his game. Even as a Cameron fanboy, I'll happily admit he had some poor games last year and the competition between two defenders will force them to improve their game. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 9:39:15 GMT
I really really don't understand why people think that Bardsley is going to be a regular. Hardly set the world alight at Sunderland and we've currently got a right back of a similar calibre. If anything, Cameron and Bardsley will share that spot throughout the season. Do not understand this love in for such a bang average player. I think you will surprised by Bardsley. |
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Post by metalhead on Jul 25, 2014 9:47:35 GMT
I really really don't understand why people think that Bardsley is going to be a regular. Hardly set the world alight at Sunderland and we've currently got a right back of a similar calibre. If anything, Cameron and Bardsley will share that spot throughout the season. Do not understand this love in for such a bang average player. I think you will surprised by Bardsley. I hope you're correct. |
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Post by juiceandbits on Jul 25, 2014 10:00:59 GMT
For me:
Bego
Shawcross
N'Zonzi (if he stays)
Arnie
Diouf
I'm not so sure Huth will come back into CH as many people think. Hughes clearly likes a ball player. The jury's out on whether Huth can do that at the moment, imo.
Also don't know who the other winger will be and how much Whelan and Sidewell will rotate.
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Post by jimmygscfc on Jul 25, 2014 10:03:20 GMT
He's a pretty solid right back and will do the simple things right. If he disappoints then we haven't shelled out a fortune for him.
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Post by jimmygscfc on Jul 25, 2014 10:04:19 GMT
For me: Bego Shawcross N'Zonzi (if he stays) Arnie Diouf I'm not so sure Huth will come back into CH as many people think. Hughes clearly likes a ball player. The jury's out on whether Huth can do that at the moment, imo. Also don't know who the other winger will be and how much Whelan and Sidewell will rotate. At least with Huth back, we won't go into meltdown if Shawcross misses a game or two! |
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Post by The Drunken Communist on Jul 25, 2014 10:17:54 GMT
Worrying how many people think we'll only have two of our back five playing over 25 games. (And one of them is the goalkeeper.) Nothing fucks a team up more than keep chopin' & changin' the defence.
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Post by Olgrligm on Jul 25, 2014 10:20:19 GMT
Barring injuries or transfers, Shawcross and Begovic are nailed on for 25 starts. I expect that Whelan and N'Zonzi will be too, although I'm not sure how Hughes plans to use Sidwell. If Arnautovic keeps up his form from the end of last season then he'll probably be a virtual ever present, as will Diouf.
Of the others who got 25+ starts last season, Walters will probably end up playing 30+ appearance but all from the bench, Cameron will probably end up playing a fair number of games from the bench but will also probably fall just shy of 25 starts with filling in in various positions, likewise Wilson. I rate Pieters and expect that he will start the season as first choice, but Muniesa could push him all the way.
I always thought Bardsley was unfairly maligned by Sunderland fans, myself. Bear in mind that these are the Sunderland supporters who wouldn't know what makes a decent full back if they used a time machine to have Paolo Maldini from 20 years ago playing for them - they'd still probably think he was about on a par with Danny Collins. If they don't like Bardsley then frankly, that's as good an endorsement as I need.
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Post by FullerMagic on Jul 25, 2014 10:57:16 GMT
Barring injuries or transfers, Shawcross and Begovic are nailed on for 25 starts. I expect that Whelan and N'Zonzi will be too, although I'm not sure how Hughes plans to use Sidwell. If Arnautovic keeps up his form from the end of last season then he'll probably be a virtual ever present, as will Diouf. Of the others who got 25+ starts last season, Walters will probably end up playing 30+ appearance but all from the bench, Cameron will probably end up playing a fair number of games from the bench but will also probably fall just shy of 25 starts with filling in in various positions, likewise Wilson. I rate Pieters and expect that he will start the season as first choice, but Muniesa could push him all the way.
I always thought Bardsley was unfairly maligned by Sunderland fans, myself. Bear in mind that these are the Sunderland supporters who wouldn't know what makes a decent full back if they used a time machine to have Paolo Maldini from 20 years ago playing for them - they'd still probably think he was about on a par with Danny Collins. If they don't like Bardsley then frankly, that's as good an endorsement as I need. Agree with that, MD. I like them both. The pair of them signed 4-yr deals last summer - and it'll be interesting to see at what point during those 4 years Muniesa topples him. Muniesa was probably happy to be his understudy as he bedded himself in - but now he'll be more confident and settled and maybe won't take as well to prolonged periods on the bench. Tricky. |
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