Why we need it to be Sunderland

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

Purely because if it’s Coventry they’ll have overcome 2-1 first leg loss and all momentum and belief will be with them despite our 6-0 agg scoreline.

Our two legs were routine and not really a test, if Coventry go to a sold out SOL and win the tie they’ll be revved right up. I fear that more than Sunderland.

 

[true99blade]

Lampard’s Derby were pretty easily beaten despite only the 1-2 scoreline against Villa after that remarkable comeback against Leeds. I’d rather play Coventry. Sunderland have some mega talent.

 

[FMBlade1]

I just hope it goes to extra time.

 

[Blade56]

Sunderland are good at sitting in.
We are bad at breaking team down that are sat in.
Sunderland need just 1-2 chances to get Isidor/Mayenda in behind.
We have struggled to win by score of 1 goal

Just saying. But play like we did last two games and it’s gonna be close

 

[PokerBlade]

Sunderland have individuals that scare me, and I think they play in a way that doesn't suit us. Sunderland are a team that can nick a goal from nowhere and then soak up pressure. Even ignoring the specifics...they're just better than Coventry.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Nope, let Coventry come at us full of confidence. We'll pick them off again

 

[Bell4]

We will beat whoever imo

If there is any threat then it’s that we have a fully fit , perked up squad for the first time in ages

 

[Redstripe]

Sunderland are good at sitting in.
We are bad at breaking team down that are sat in.
Sunderland need just 1-2 chances to get Isidor/Mayenda in behind.
We have struggled to win by score of 1 goal

Just saying. But play like we did last two games and it’s gonna be close

We’ve won 15 games by 1 goal, 10 of them 1-0.

 

[Racing Blade]

Also Sunderland as it's the second step in our play off redemption.

When we're next relegated to the second tier, we need a couple of Palace, Forest, Burnley or Wolves to drop with us, so they can be next to be purged.

No idea how we reap revenge upon Yeovil and Swindon

 

[Mendi]

I just hope it goes to extra time.

Which will.

 

[Stretch]

Due to PTSD from previous play off finals, I am perhaps understandably thinking about who I would least dislike losing to, and that would be Sunderland. I have never had any real issues with Sunderland's fanbase and I do think they are a team (like us) who should be in the PL.

On the flip side, I rather detest a large element of Cov's fanbase, and the Lampard wankfest in the media, if they get promoted will be insufferable.

All that being said, I am also coming round to the view that it doesn't really matter that much. Whilst predicting the outcome of such a big game is a perilous business, as things stand I think we have to be the overwhelming favourites whoever we face. And I now look at this team, and manager, and see a very determined bunch.

Anyway, feet up tomorrow to see what happens.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Purely because if it’s Coventry they’ll have overcome 2-1 first leg loss and all momentum and belief will be with them despite our 6-0 agg scoreline.

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on momentum and belief.

Look at us against Wolves in 2003.

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on momentum and belief.

Look at us against Wolves in 2003.

I’d love for Ai or someone statty to show me that momentum and belief from comeback results doesn’t help you win playoff finals because my gut feel is that it does.

 

[YES Blade]

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on momentum and belief.

Look at us against Wolves in 2003.

Just looking at our form leading up to the final it wasn’t great and it also didn’t help that Windass got dropped for shitting in the 18th hole and Warnock picked Mark Rankine for some unknown reason.

Looking at the Wolves team, it was a very strong team with loads of experience. So looking back it’s not a major surprise we lost.

 

[VLYDONIMIR]

My contact in Thailand says its going to be 0-2.

 

[Fernandopartridge]

I just can't see it being anybody but Sunderland TBF.

Our away form is abysmal yet Lampard seems unable to depart from his favoured system away from home despite getting better results when he was forced to play another way because of injuries.

We have lost 5 of the last 6 away from home including to two of the teams that got relegated.

 

[RAP51]

Sunderland have individuals that scare me, and I think they play in a way that doesn't suit us. Sunderland are a team that can nick a goal from nowhere and then soak up pressure. Even ignoring the specifics...they're just better than Coventry.

I agree that Sunderland have a few individuals who can produce flashes of brilliance, but so do we. Neither of us however have Frank Lampard. This is why I hope we face Coventry.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

I agree that Sunderland have a few individuals who can produce flashes of brilliance, but so do we. Neither of us however have Frank Lampard. This is why I hope we face Coventry.

That's a bit harsh on Lampard. It's not his fault that the media are obsessed with him. He's actually turning out to be a decent manager. He did a good job at Derby. He did a good job at Chelsea when they were banned from signing players and he got the best out of players like Tammy Abraham. As for Everton, around then who didn't fail at that sinking ship? Now he's done an excellent job at Coventry. Compared to Rooney and Gerrard and he's my pick of the three.

Gerrard has had it easy the whole way, Rooney thought it would be as easy as picking up single pensioners and Lampard has done it the hard way. Speaking of ex Premier League players in management, fair play to Robbie Savage for taking a job outside the EFL where he's just got Macclesfield promoted.

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Just looking at our form leading up to the final it wasn’t great and it also didn’t help that Windass got dropped for shitting in the 18th hole and Warnock picked Mark Rankine for some unknown reason.

Looking at the Wolves team, it was a very strong team with loads of experience. So looking back it’s not a major surprise we lost.

Let's just hope that the team hotel doesn't have a golf course.

 

[mattbianco1]

Isador & Mayenda have taken the piss out of our defence twice this season.

We were fortunate to beat them at home.
We maybe should have got a draw away, but lost.

Every time their wide players got on the ball though, our defence looked really slow

 

[Nick Jansky]

That's a bit harsh on Lampard. It's not his fault that the media are obsessed with him. He's actually turning out to be a decent manager. He did a good job at Derby. He did a good job at Chelsea when they were banned from signing players and he got the best out of players like Tammy Abraham. As for Everton, around then who didn't fail at that sinking ship? Now he's done an excellent job at Coventry. Compared to Rooney and Gerrard and he's my pick of the three.

Gerrard has had it easy the whole way, Rooney thought it would be as easy as picking up single pensioners and Lampard has done it the hard way. Speaking of ex Premier League players in management, fair play to Robbie Savage for taking a job outside the EFL where he's just got Macclesfield promoted.

I also don’t get the hatred for Lampard. I can only think it’s because of how great he was as a player and his financial wealth. English people do love to pull successful people down. Jealousy and envy with a bit of spitefulness thrown in, probably.

But you are spot on, he’s done well as a manager in three very tough situations, and nobody can argue with how he’s turned Coventry around in a short space of time. I saw someone on here describe him as a narcissist the other day. I don’t know what they were basing that on, I’ve never seen any sign of that, it’s just weird in my opinion. But I guess haters will hate.

 

[FriethBlade]

Coventry all day long, we've ripped them a new one in 3 of the 4 halves we have played against them scoring 5 goals in total. The other half we only had 10 men.

Sunderland have some massive talent and very quick players in Isidor, Watson, Roberts and Mayenda. They also have Mepham who could nullify Moore.

They finished 7 points ahead of Coventry despite barely picking a point up the last 6 games and they will sell out their ticket allocation and more. So for me it's an easy choice.

 

[Zeblades34]

Coventry would be better, more open to pick off. Sun'lun would be compact and horrible to try and break down

 

[mattbianco1]

I also don’t get the hatred for Lampard. I can only think it’s because of how great he was as a player and his financial wealth.

I think the media have caused it.
The constant labelling of his teams as "Frank Lampard's [Insert Team Name]", just pisses everybody off.

He was one of my favourite PL & England players back in the day.

 

[steve26272]

We will beat whoever imo

If there is any threat then it’s that we have a fully fit , perked up squad for the first time in ages

Agreed

How’d you feel if you were a cov or Sunderland fan having seen us whack Bristol 6-0, fully fit squad and we bring on O’Hare, Campbell, Davies, JRS and brewster

Let them worry about us, nothing to fear*

*confidence not pig arrogance

 

[I should coco]

If it's the 8th biggest club in the Midlands {behind Villa, Brum, Baggies, Wolves, Forrest, Derby and Leicester), this board will be innundated with their wanker fans telling us how huge they are, and doubtless, that they 'have always preferredWednesday'.

 

[Selly]

I’d love for Ai or someone statty to show me that momentum and belief from comeback results doesn’t help you win playoff finals because my gut feel is that it does.

Just dropping this here to remind me to take a look at the stats on this later....

 

[Blademan89]

That's a bit harsh on Lampard. It's not his fault that the media are obsessed with him. He's actually turning out to be a decent manager. He did a good job at Derby.

You think he did a good job With the squad he had?

I think he was underachieving with them and the football and tactics wasnt all that for them either, when you consider the squad as I mentioned.

 

[Lord Eddard Muir]

I just hope it goes to extra time.

Nearly a fortnight till the next game, doubt ET/pens would make much difference to the winners' readiness

 

[Nick Jansky]

You think he did a good job With the squad he had?

I think he was underachieving with them and the football and tactics wasnt all that for them either, when you consider the squad as I mentioned.

He was a very young manager in his first job finding his way.