Sunderland- Line up

[Bluemike]

So, with not long to go until the season opener what would be your starting line up based on the squad we have at present? I'm going with this.........

Walton

Clarke
Woolfenden
Burgess
Davis

Luongo
Morsy

Hutchinson
Chaplin
Broadhead

Hirst/Ladapo

I've not included Burns as he appears to be carrying an injury and has not had too much game time in pre season, I also think initially Luongo will get the nod over Evans & Taylor, the latter still has a way to go to impress me tbh.

Based on pre season Harness can count himself a little unlucky as he's definitely been one of the better players so far. I can't make my mind up with the lone striker position as both have been scoring in pre season too.

What worries me slightly is that we are no stronger than last season, Hirst was already here, Taylor probably won't feature and Hutchinson will do well to match Burns input straight away, ideally I would like another big CB in there but at time of writing it hasn't materialised, the longer it goes on the more I'm thinking Trusty is earmarked as a signing. All in all this team is still very capable but it's gonna be tough.

[Dubai Blue]

You got Hutchinson left or right? He's a left footer right?

They said that Burns coming off against Flyeralarm was just precautionary but I guess we'll see over the next few friendlies.

This is a big game so we've got to put out our best side. I think I prefer Taylor over Luongo and I would start Hirst with a view to Ladapo coming on at 60 minutes.

It's nice to have these choices and it doesn't bother me that it's not much different from last year, I see this as a strength.

Wonder if Sunderland have made wholesale changes?

[Bluemike]

Yeah Hutchinson is left footed and likes to cut in onto his right, my formation was just for names really but he'll probably play Left if he plays. Sunderland have lost a few and signed a few so a bit unknown, I do know they are struggling in the striker department with their main man definitely missing against us.

[mendipblue]

Isn't Clarke banned after getting sent off in the final game last season

[trimleyblue]

Yes he is

[Bluemike]

Oh bugger, forgot that !! Well remembered, Donacien if fit then

[shabba]

Too early to say, but your spot on with that lineup at present (as other said just need JD for suspended Clarke).

Taylor might start, only if he and Morsy get a bond going before the game.

See my other thread re the overal state of the squad, I've listed my 1st and 2nd teams, plus who is spare.

[hallamblue]

No Taylor?

[Bluemike]

Not on the first 25 minutes tonight no.

[hallamblue]

Reckon he needs a period of time to adjust to the step up at this club , let alone the Championship then….

[number 9]

There’s a good chance Walton won’t be available. How does everyone feel about Hladky starting?

[shabba]

Totally fine with it, solid backup / good shot stopper - maybe not as good at playing out though.

[number 9]

Totally fine with it, solid backup / good shot stopper - maybe not as good at playing out though.

I think he’s underrated to be honest. He hasn’t really had a run of games since KM took over. KM obviously rates him with his inclusion of late. Not sure I’m willing to give Walton credit for all those clean sheets. I could be wrong…I’ve just noticed a few mental lapses from Walton at times.

Who is our number 1 gk?

[shabba]

Walton is undoubtedly the number 1, he dominates the box better, does the holding onto the ball/playing out that KM wants better and still a fairly good shot stopper.

Plus he is the one with the asset value - which is key in the clubs financial model.

[Andym]

Happy with Hladky. But Walton is superior in many ways. Distribution, and I’d say he commands the box better than any Kerry we’ve had in the last 20 years.

[arana peligrosa]

I assume McKenna will stick with the 1 in attack / 4-2-3-1 formations for the season ahead. It's not for everyone but we got a promotion largely through it and finished highest scorers last time out. Would that work again at a higher league, only time will tell.

Being quick, I'd start Walton in goal :

Ladapo or Broadhead or Hirst to start out front (couldn't pick a decisive name)

Chaplin (even though not a midfielder in the true sense), Morsy, Burns and say Humphreys in the middle.

Edmundson, Woolf, Burgess and Davis to feature defense.

It's not so easy to select names and positions as a non-regular viewer of play but kind of satisfied to field the team in question when opening day arises.

[ashfordblue]

I assume McKenna will stick with the 1 in attack / 4-2-3-1 formations for the season ahead. It's not for everyone but we got a promotion largely through it and finished highest scorers last time out. Would that work again at a higher league, only time will tell.

Being quick, I'd start Walton in goal :

Ladapo or Broadhead or Hirst to start out front (couldn't pick a decisive name)

Chaplin (even though not a midfielder in the true sense), Morsy, Burns and say Humphreys in the middle.

Edmundson, Woolf, Burgess and Davis to feature defense.

It's not so easy to select names and positions as a non-regular viewer of play but kind of satisfied to field the team in question when opening day arises.

Sorry but Edmundson is a waiting liability so he won't get the nod from me and others on here

[AzzurroMark]

Edmundson, Woolf, Burgess and Davis to feature defense.

Sorry but Edmundson is a waiting liability so he won't get the nod from me and others on here

I agree!
Edmundson can be an ok defender at times, however he doesn't seem to be able to play the KM way. I still have visions of him gifting possession away at Plymouth away, resulting in 2 dropped points! I am sure there are a lot more examples too.

[hallamblue]

Oh bugger, forgot that !! Well remembered, Donacien if fit then

He’s also injured - Achilles tendon ….

[hallamblue]

Edmundson, Woolf, Burgess and Davis to feature defense.

Sorry but Edmundson is a waiting liability so he won't get the nod from me and others on here

I agree!
Edmundson can be an ok defender at times, however he doesn't seem to be able to play the KM way. I still have visions of him gifting possession away at Plymouth away, resulting in 2 dropped points! I am sure there are a lot more examples too.

He did the same vs Sheffield Weds ( season before last ) just on half way line and Burns was committed up the pitch…. They scored from that !

He did a similar thing at PR and opposition scored ( can’t remember who it was ), but we had been in complete control of the game until he’d gifted them the ball. I’d bloody sell him tbh !

[shabba]

Oh bugger, forgot that !! Well remembered, Donacien if fit then

He’s also injured - Achilles tendon ….

I thought he was ok now? He played at Luton and I think he playhed the 2nd game on friday vs Bremen?

However the lineup will very much be down to injuries:

Walton (or Hladkey if Walton is unfit)

JD (or Ball if JD unfit)
Burges
Wolfie
Davies

Morsy
Lungo (he isnt fit though right? so maybe Taylor)

Burns (but for me Omar is right on the door for a start)
Chaplin
Broadhead (probably 50/50 re if he will make it, I'd start Harness as he has looked good pre season, but have Omar on for last 30).

Hirst

[Bluemike]

Yes I think Janoi is fit now, he certainly played in the Austrian matches. For me Ball is a more than competent fill in at RB, however this is a game where we will likely be required to do our fair share of defending and that being the case it's Donacien all day long for me.