Sunderland V Tottenham - 12:45pm - Sky Sports 2

Paully D

Might as well set up a thread for tomorrows early kick-off.

This should be an interesting one as a lot of teams, including Newcastle (:eek:), will be hoping Sunderland can take points off Spurs here. Sunderland, fresh of virtually shattering Manchester City's title hopes last week, will fancy their chances of another upset and have a decent record at home to Spurs since returning to the Premier League under Keane.

There's a bit of a preview done on a Sunderland fan site that I will copy and paste over:

http://www.rokerreport.com/2012/4/6/2927396/sunderland-spurs-team-news-injuries-preview

Sunderland Team News

Having seen off most of the long-term injuries, Martin O'Neill has a quandary over a number of niggles; Lee Cattermole has missed certain training sessions after the admission that he has been playing through the pain of a medial ligament strain in his knee, whilst Fraizer Campbell's knee has been another source of worry - thankfully it's nowhere near as serious this time around.

Matt Kilgallon has returned to training following cramp and all sorts that removed him from the field at the Etihad Stadium, and should partner Michael Turner at the heart of the Sunderland defence. Kieran Richardson is another option for O'Neill having been on the bench last time out, which may enable the excellent Jack Colback to return to midfield. However the pair could well be challenged by Wayne Bridge, who is available again after being ineligible to face his parent club last week.

O'Neill certainly has no obligation to change the side after upstaging Manchester City for almost the game's entirety, but he does have options. Fresh faces may be the tonic for a repeat performance against another side courting Champions League football for next season, especially considering the quick turn around we have for the game against Everton on Monday.

Tottenham Team News

Aaron Lennon made his comeback from injury in the 3-1 win over Swansea City last time out; his cross teeing up Emmanuel Adebayor's second goal of the game. The winger's return may see Spurs return to their early season form, where Lennon and Gareth Bale were the proverbial schoolyard bullies backing teams into a corner with surging forays down the flanks.

That said, Harry does like to tinker, and also opt for a few players out of place, and that could work in our favour. If Rafael Van Der Vaart and Luka Modric are deployed on the wings, with Bale inside, look for them to be cutting inside. In such an instance Kyle Walker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto will have to pick up the slack, giving plenty of room for James McClean and Stephane Sessegnon to exploit.

We were pretty evenly matched at White Hart Lane in December, and things could turn out the same this weekend.

Predicted Line-Ups:

Sunderland:

Mignolet

Bardsley Turner Kilgallon Richardson

Larsson Cattermole Colback McClean

Sessegnon

Bendtner

Spurs:

Friedel

Walker Kaboul Gallas Assou-Ekotto

Lennon Parker Modric Bale

Van Der Vaart

Adebayor

If Kyrigakos doesn't see time on the pitch then I think we can put a spanner in the works for Spurs here by taking a point off them.

Prediction: 1-1 draw in an entertaining game.

Classic Encounter:

Sunderland 3-1 Spurs - April 2010

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8596807.stm

Tottenham's Champions League ambitions were hit by Darren Bent who scored twice in an amazing contest.

The former Spurs striker smashed home a rebound with just 34 seconds gone, and added a penalty for his 23rd goal of the season after Kyle Walker handled.
Incredibly Bent also saw two penalties saved by Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes.

Anton Ferdinand had an effort ruled out, substitute Peter Crouch headed Spurs back in contention but Boudewijn Zenden's stunning volley sealed it.
Many Spurs followers believed the formidable run of matches against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United would decide their fate in their quest to break into the top four for the first time in the Premier League.

But that was to ignore a trip north to face opponents they had not beaten in four previous visits to the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland losing only once in their last 15 home league matches.

It was perhaps inevitable that Bent, discarded by Spurs last summer, would be fired up for this one, but he managed to inspire his team-mates to greater heights as well in an electrifying start by the home side.

The absence of Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King and Michael Dawson left a huge void in the Tottenham defence and there was certainly plenty of space as another former Spur Fraizer Campbell swooped to meet Kieran Richardson's corner.

Gomes kept out the point-blank header but it fell perfectly for Bent, who became Tottenham's record signing when he joined them for £16.5m from Charlton in June 2007.

The 26-year-old, who scored 25 goals in 79 games for the Lilywhites, 36 of which were as substitute, rammed home the close-range rebound emphatically and took great delight in celebrating the fastest Premier League goal of the season in front of the travelling Spurs contingent.

With the visitors unable to find any foothold in the game, Jordan Henderson jinked through into the area and fell under a challenge from Benoit Assou-Ekotto but the penalty shouts were waved away by referee Lee Mason.

But when a cross brushed Walker's arm midway through the half the referee did point to the spot for the first time, and Bent confidently beat Gomes low to his right.

Sunderland were simply first to every loose ball, Lee Cattermole had no grievance against Spurs but he snapped at the heels of former Wigan team-mate Wilson Palacios throughout.

Campbell wriggled clear of the attentions of Sebastien Bassong and Assou-Ekotto and burst into the box, before going over an appalling forward's challenge from Luka Modric, who simply hung out a leg.

Bent opted to put the ball to the left of Gomes this time, but the Brazilian leapt across goal magnificently to tip the ball away.

Not surprisingly, Harry Redknapp made two changes at half-time, Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar brought on for Assou-Ekotto and David Bentley.
Defoe was soon bursting through on goal but a tame effort was kept out by Craig Gordon.

With Spurs beginning to look more threatening going forward, Gareth Bale's glancing header from a Modric corner was smartly tipped over by the Scottish keeper and Defoe hooked another effort inches wide.

Any momentum the visitors might have been building was halted by another rash challenge, this time by Palacios on David Meyler.

Bent, who missed a penalty on his return to White Hart Lane in November when Spurs beat Sunderland 2-0, struck his third spot-kick of the afternoon to the right of Gomes, but the Tottenham keeper tipped the ball on to the inside of the post and was relieved to grab the rebound.

Ferdinand looked to have sealed it when he calmly sidefooted a loose ball into the bottom corner after a cross from the third former Tottenham player in the Sunderland starting line-up, the influential Steed Malbranque, caused yet more problems.

However, referee Mason ruled that Campbell was holding down Gomes in the melee.

Crouch replaced the enigmatic, and on this occasion ineffective, Roman Pavlyuchenko, and the England striker scored with his first touch when he rose to meet Kranjcar's looping cross from the left.

But there were several chances for the home side to make the game safe, substitute Kenwyne Jones completely missing his kick in front of goal and Zenden seeing two efforts blocked.

It seemed as though Spurs might be reprieved and make Sunderland pay for their profligacy, but the final key moment in this astonishing game came from Zenden, who acrobatically volleyed into the top corner following Henderson's looping cross.

The goal would have been cheered as loudly by Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa followers as the race for the coveted fourth place took another twist, with City moving above Spurs in the Premier League thanks to a 6-1 win over struggling Burnley 6-1 in the evening match.

That was a great game and I'll never forget Anton Ferdinand breaking out a Michael Jackson dance only to realise the goal had been ruled out. The look on his face :pac:

That game was settled by this wonder volley from Bolo Zenden:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbv7ZOzF-WA

Lets hope for an equally entertaining game with a similar result tomorrow :pac:

everdead.ie

I'd like to see spurs maintain the 4-2-3-1 formation and only change to 4-4-2 if needed.

---

Friedel
Walker--Kaboul--King--Benny

---

Sandro--Parker
VDV---Modric---Bale

---

Ade

Paully D

everdead.ie wrote: »

I'd like to see spurs maintain the 4-2-3-1 formation and only change to 4-4-2 if needed.

---

Friedel
Walker--Kaboul--King--Benny

---

Sandro--Parker
VDV---Modric---Bale

---

Ade

How do you see the game going mate? Fancy your chances?

kryogen

I hope for a Sunderland win, so sorry about that Paully D!

DazMarz

Really hope to god/jesus/allah/buddha/flying-spaghetti-monster that Sunderland can do something here today. Take some points off Spurs. Sunderland win or even a draw. Anything to take some points off them. Pretty please!!!

everdead.ie

Paully D wrote: »

everdead.ie wrote: »

I'd like to see spurs maintain the 4-2-3-1 formation and only change to 4-4-2 if needed.

---

Friedel
Walker--Kaboul--King--Benny

---

Sandro--Parker
VDV---Modric---Bale

---

Ade

How do you see the game going mate? Fancy your chances?

Can definitely see us winning ...... but I can definitely see us loosing too though! Anything could happen but at least our form looks to of turned the corner.

everdead.ie

Here's our team v Sunderland -
Friedel;
Walker, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto;

---

Parker, Modric, Sandro;
Van der Vaart, Adebayor, Bale.

SantryRed

Hopefully a few goals today

ASOT

The state of this background music

Mars Bar

Some decent tackles going in in this game...

SantryRed

Lee Cattermole is retarded though for some of the lunges he does do in needless positions.

Raskolnikov

Spurs being out-fought so far.

cgpg5

As a Newcastle fan I don't often say this but (through clenched teeth) come on you Mackems

SantryRed

Think it'd suit Spurs to go 4-4-2. They're just missing that extra body up top and Sunderland are happy to concede possession as it is.

iainconlon12

SKWAN SUNDERLAND! They're playing better than Spurs at the moment. Hope they keep it up.

everdead.ie

61% possession in the first half but have to get Ade more involved second half. Possession means nothing if we don't score.

That_Guy

Come on SunderSpurs...

Raskolnikov

Hard to see either team scoring.

cgpg5

Steve Wilson (BBC commentary): Never mind either team getting a goal, a save would be nice!

Professional Griefer

Poor tackle. Take him off arry.

kevohmsford

Woeful tackle from Sandro, Lennon coming on for Spurs soon

Hank Scorpio

Shocking passing there, dire match

Oranage2

McManaman is hilarious -


Hopefully Bendy boots score.

Raskolnikov

Sandro very poor today.

That_Guy

This is awful stuff. Passing from both sides has been gash.

joseph brand

Oranage2 wrote: »

McManaman is hilarious -

He seems to be commentating the one match I watch every week.

kingshankly

Gonna go watch some paint drying

kevohmsford

Sunderland looking the most likely to score atm but it has not been a great match to watch

amacachi

It was a foul, no reason for him to throw himself down like that.

Will I Amnt

Well done Chris Foy,contact doesn't mean a foul.Good decision.

amacachi

LOL "I don't think Gareth Bale would be staying down unless he was caught."

SantryRed

What the fcuk is Foy at blowing that back?

Professional Griefer

That was the most entertaining thing I've seen from this match so far.

amacachi

Amazing that he's able to get back on.

That_Guy

Great tackle that.

Hank Scorpio

Worst game I've seen all season

Oranage2

Good result for Arsenal - Shockingly boring match/

I think Spurs will bottle it and finish 5th

Raskolnikov

Sunderland only ever played for a point today. Thought Spurs were dreadful, didn't do anything with all the possession that Sunderland gifted them.

1mcampo1

Oranage2 wrote: »

Good result for Arsenal - Shockingly boring match/

I think Spurs will bottle it and finish 5th

With the way Chelsea/Newcastle are going, they might be looking at 6th

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Good result, shocking match, decent performance. Happy enough overall I suppose.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Oranage2 wrote: »

Good result for Arsenal - Shockingly boring match/

I think Spurs will bottle it and finish 5th

1mcampo1 wrote: »

With the way Chelsea/Newcastle are going, they might be looking at 6th

I'll happily take either of them bets.

Playboy

1mcampo1 wrote: »

With the way Chelsea/Newcastle are going, they might be looking at 6th

lol why? because they got a point at the SoL? Sunderland played for a draw and put everybody behind the ball from the outset.

It was a good point and that was the toughest of Spurs remaining fixtures. Arsenal will drop points tomorrow and Chelsea and Arsenal both have to play each other. Newcastle's final 3 fixtures will prove too much for them .. no way will they make CL.

Utd, City, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, Liverpool will be how it will finish

happyman81

Playboy wrote: »

lol why? because they got a point at the SoL?

No, it's because of the four teams, Spurs are the least in-form team. By a mile.

http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/form-guide.html

L6M:
http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/form-guide.html?tableView=total

1mcampo1

THFC wrote: »

I'll happily take either of them bets.

Playboy wrote: »

lol why? because they got a point at the SoL? Sunderland played for a draw and put everybody behind the ball from the outset.

It was a good point and that was the toughest of Spurs remaining fixtures. Arsenal will drop points tomorrow and Chelsea and Arsenal both have to play each other. Newcastle's final 3 fixtures will prove too much for them .. no way will they make CL.

Utd, City, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, Liverpool will be how it will finish

Alright lads, chill your nips...

As mentioned above, out of Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Newcastle, Spurs' form of late is woeful.
Last 6 games=
Arsenal WWWWWL -15pts
Spurs LLDDW -5pts
Chlesea WLWLDW -10pts
Newcastle DLWWWW -13pts

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

1mcampo1 wrote: »

Alright lads, chill your nips...

As mentioned above, out of Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Newcastle, Spurs' form of late is woeful.
Last 6 games=
Arsenal WWWWWL -15pts
Spurs LLDDW -5pts
Chlesea WLWLDW -10pts
Newcastle DLWWWW -13pts

Yeah, looking solely at results in PL games. They're being taken out of context. Our performance against Chelsea was good, we deserved the win, we followed that up with a comfortable win against a somemwhat in-form Bolton team in the FA Cup, to get us into a cup semi-final. That was followed up by another comfortable win against another in-form team in Swansea. And today we've just drawn against one of the toughest teams outside the big 5 away from home. I very much disagree with 'out of form' comment.
Also, this is a quote from Gallas;

William Gallas wrote:

"I think the confidence is back. After the draw against Chelsea and the victories against Bolton and Swansea, the confidence is back," the defender told Tottenham's official website.

"Now, like I said to everyone, every game is a final for us. We have to be strong if we want to finish third.

"We have to play every game with 100 per cent, and at the end of the season we will go on our holidays and feel that maybe we deserved to finish third.

"Before that we have to give everything. Before the game we have to speak together and we have to know that we are not tired, and that we can be tired at the end of the season."

happyman81

THFC wrote: »

1mcampo1 wrote: »

Alright lads, chill your nips...

As mentioned above, out of Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Newcastle, Spurs' form of late is woeful.
Last 6 games=
Arsenal WWWWWL -15pts
Spurs LLDDW -5pts
Chlesea WLWLDW -10pts
Newcastle DLWWWW -13pts

Yeah, looking solely at results in PL games. They're being taken out of context. Our performance against Chelsea was good, we deserved the win, we followed that up with a comfortable win against a somemwhat in-form Bolton team in the FA Cup, to get us into a cup semi-final. That was followed up by another comfortable win against another in-form team in Swansea. And today we've just drawn against one of the toughest teams outside the big 5 away from home. I very much disagree with 'out of form' comment.
Also, this is a quote from Gallas;

William Gallas wrote:

"I think the confidence is back. After the draw against Chelsea and the victories against Bolton and Swansea, the confidence is back," the defender told Tottenham's official website.

"Now, like I said to everyone, every game is a final for us. We have to be strong if we want to finish third.

"We have to play every game with 100 per cent, and at the end of the season we will go on our holidays and feel that maybe we deserved to finish third.

"Before that we have to give everything. Before the game we have to speak together and we have to know that we are not tired, and that we can be tired at the end of the season."

LOL! 'never mind the results, it is out a context with our personal feelings!'

'we won the league on principle, despite losing on points'

Liverpoolesque delusion!

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

happyman81 wrote: »

LOL! 'never mind the results, it is out a context with our personal feelings!'

'we won the league on principle, despite losing on points'

Liverpoolesque delusion!

What in the name of God are you on about?? It doesn't take an expert to see we've gained momentum from the last 4 games, and with a game vs Norwich on Monday at WHL it only seems likely our bad form will be well behind us. And fyi the mentality of the squad has a huge impact on performances, the dogs on the street could tell ya that.

happyman81

THFC wrote: »

happyman81 wrote: »

LOL! 'never mind the results, it is out a context with our personal feelings!'

'we won the league on principle, despite losing on points'

Liverpoolesque delusion!

What in the name of God are you on about?? It doesn't take an expert to see we've gained momentum from the last 4 games, and with a game vs Norwich on Monday at WHL it only seems likely our bad form will be well behind us. And fyi the mentality of the squad has a huge impact on performances, the dogs on the street could tell ya that.

It's a results business, as the old saying goes. The best teams get results even when they play bad, the others just make excuses. I am a NUFC fan, and whatever position we end up with will be the one we deserve, because the points you get are the ones you deserve. You won't hear any 'out of context' bullsh1t excuses out of me if we finish outside the CL places.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

happyman81 wrote: »

It's a results business, as the old saying goes. The best teams get results even when they play bad, the others just make excuses. I am a NUFC fan, and whatever position we end up with will be the one we deserve, because the points you get are the ones you deserve. You won't hear any 'out of context' bullsh1t excuses out of me if we finish outside the CL places.

Again, have you even read my posts? If you need help understanding them don't be afraid to PM me.
I'm not saying we deserve to be first/second/third, I'm making the point that we are not 'out of form' like 1mcampo1 was suggesting. I saying that our performances of late have been good, no more, no less. Comprendez?

happyman81

THFC wrote: »

happyman81 wrote: »

It's a results business, as the old saying goes. The best teams get results even when they play bad, the others just make excuses. I am a NUFC fan, and whatever position we end up with will be the one we deserve, because the points you get are the ones you deserve. You won't hear any 'out of context' bullsh1t excuses out of me if we finish outside the CL places.

Again, have you even read my posts? If you need help understanding them don't be afraid to PM me.
I'm not saying we deserve to be first/second/third, I'm making the point that we are not 'out of form' like 1mcampo1 was suggesting. I saying that our performances of late have been good, no more, no less. Comprendez?

You're not out of form then. Got it...

Playboy

happyman81 wrote: »

No, it's because of the four teams, Spurs are the least in-form team. By a mile.

http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/form-guide.html

L6M:
http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/form-guide.html?tableView=total

1mcampo1 wrote: »

Alright lads, chill your nips...

As mentioned above, out of Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Newcastle, Spurs' form of late is woeful.
Last 6 games=
Arsenal WWWWWL -15pts
Spurs LLDDW -5pts
Chlesea WLWLDW -10pts
Newcastle DLWWWW -13pts

Well you have to take the fixtures into account when you talk about form. When Spurs have had Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Sunderland and Everton away and United at home since the turn of the year then their form doesn't look that bad. It was a horrendous set of fixtures and even though we have had our 'blip' in the season we are still ahead of the Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle with a much easier run in. Spurs don't play any teams in the top half of the premiership in their remaining fixtures.