If tickets arrive, transport works, and I am sitting with my family in Block 529 (bring your own oxygen) ten minutes before kick-off with the sun shining it will feel like a victory before a ball has been kicked.
Think we might just click and for once we can enjoy a straight-forward win.
Flying in from Spain for this one Missed the last game against Sunderland 21 years ago . My only other visit to Wembley was when we got beat 1-0 by Blackburn in some silly trophy final So lets hope I'm not a bogeyman COYR
I'd start with Vetokele, if he's fit. If we were to use him as a sub for Parker later in the match and he then pulls up injured, we are then down to just Taylor up front. If Vetokele starts, I'd also start with Albie in midfield. I think he'd thrive on the big Wembley pitch and may split their defence with some delicious through balls for Vetokele and Taylor to run onto. The occasion may prove to be too much for young Albie, but one of his killer passes could win us the match.
I'd start with Vetokele, if he's fit. If we were to use him as a sub for Parker later in the match and he then pulls up injured, we are then down to just Taylor up front. If Vetokele starts, I'd also start with Albie in midfield. I think he'd thrive on the big Wembley pitch and may split their defence with some delicious through balls for Vetokele and Taylor to run onto. The occasion may prove to be too much for young Albie, but one of his killer passes could win us the match.
Wembley maybe a too bigger stage for Bows to risk Albie, but I think the freezing displayed by a few of our players will not be repeated. Not worth speculating in my opinion, Bows will know best.
Almost certain to be a close hard fought game. I fancy it will go to Extra Time like the 98 game and then hopefully we will nick it, but i wouldn't be at all surprised if it goes to another Penalty Shootout. I'll go 1-1 after 90 Mins.
I'd start with Vetokele, if he's fit. If we were to use him as a sub for Parker later in the match and he then pulls up injured, we are then down to just Taylor up front. If Vetokele starts, I'd also start with Albie in midfield. I think he'd thrive on the big Wembley pitch and may split their defence with some delicious through balls for Vetokele and Taylor to run onto. The occasion may prove to be too much for young Albie, but one of his killer passes could win us the match.
There have been a few games this season where we have looked top half Championship class. This is normally due to having Williams, Aribo, Cullen and Bielik in midfield. Quick accurate passing, building like a quality team. That is most definitely our best chance on Sunday.
Dave Berry talking about the game this morning on his radio show, referenced Duchatelet and his crapness, coming out with this line:
”He refuses to invest in us, he won’t sell us, he just sits there staring at us”.
To be fair the level of losses represent his ‘investment’ but his decision making around this ‘investment’ has been appalling, not least of all his insistence on selling for more than we’re worth. Had he sold 18 months ago he would have lost far less money than he eventually will.
Had such a bizarre dream last night that we won 4-0. A Fosu hatrick in the first 5 mins and a Maxwell header in added time - call me negative but I don't think that is what will happen!
I'd start with Vetokele, if he's fit. If we were to use him as a sub for Parker later in the match and he then pulls up injured, we are then down to just Taylor up front. If Vetokele starts, I'd also start with Albie in midfield. I think he'd thrive on the big Wembley pitch and may split their defence with some delicious through balls for Vetokele and Taylor to run onto. The occasion may prove to be too much for young Albie, but one of his killer passes could win us the match.
The home game against Sunderland started to turn in our favour when Morgan began to run at them with the ball late in the first half.
Bowyer has to make a decision about who he thinks can stand the pressure. Last Friday there were players like Sarr who have been great for months who looked hesitant. If Bowyer thinks this game will be mainly a bottle job he should have Solly, Pearce and Pratley in the team. If he thinks we will win it through superior skill then it would be Sarr, Dijksteel and Morgan. I suspect he will start with the flair players and make a call when he sees how things are turning out. Or he may have already seen enough last week to go for experience over flair.
My initial reaction after Friday was anger. I thought we slightly bottled it. Only slightly, but that is all you need to do. Then the elation set in, and hopefully the players will have the confidence to play to their ability. To stand the best chance we have to impose our game - which is a positive game - on Sunderland. They deserve respect of course, but it would be wrong for the lads to give them too much.
If we score one, we need to get two and if we get two, we should look for three. That is how we play at our best. We went behind to an excellent Luton side at the Valley recently, but we all knew we would beat them. That is the attitude for Sunday, and Sunderland are not as good as Luton.
Promotion forcing a sale would be the best result possible for us irrespective of what happens on the pitch next season. We have to get rid of the greedy billionaire.
If we are playing a back 3, I'd stick Pearce in there as captain and move Bielik into midfield instead of Williams. That way, you get Bielik and Cullen on the ball much more often. I don't think it's going to be that pretty on Sunday so I think Pearce's organisation could be important; plus, in the middle of a back 3, he doesn't need to be dragged into wide areas.
Comments
Missed the last game against Sunderland 21 years ago .
My only other visit to Wembley was when we got beat 1-0 by Blackburn in some silly trophy final
So lets hope I'm not a bogeyman
COYR
I have not seen enough of the players to make comment on selection however two stand out things for me having watched the semi final games.
1/ Aribo needs to pass/release the ball a little quicker, I fear he will see Sunday as his shop window and "show boat"
2/ Taylor needs to stay on his feet and stop falling over in front of defenders, waving his arms at the ref.
”He refuses to invest in us, he won’t sell us, he just sits there staring at us”.
Bowyer has to make a decision about who he thinks can stand the pressure. Last Friday there were players like Sarr who have been great for months who looked hesitant. If Bowyer thinks this game will be mainly a bottle job he should have Solly, Pearce and Pratley in the team. If he thinks we will win it through superior skill then it would be Sarr, Dijksteel and Morgan. I suspect he will start with the flair players and make a call when he sees how things are turning out. Or he may have already seen enough last week to go for experience over flair.
Tough call.
Bielik, Bauer, Sarr
Dijksteel, Cullen, Aribo, Purrington
Williams
Taylor, Vetokele
^ That XI beats anyone in this league.
If we score one, we need to get two and if we get two, we should look for three. That is how we play at our best. We went behind to an excellent Luton side at the Valley recently, but we all knew we would beat them. That is the attitude for Sunday, and Sunderland are not as good as Luton.