Sunderland build up

[Mostar]

Do you think? At the expense of who? Or are we assuming Agger is injured?

Carra unless Agger is injured.

[JohnDoe]

If we assume Suarez and Spearing are playing, how would you line up to accomodate Henderson?

I think it's Henderson starting and not Spearing.

[Exiled_red]

Aurelio injured again

[Mostar]

Aurelio injured again

Ridiculous really.

He actually trained yesterday (he looks about the same height as Jay on that pic )

[Muddled]

Carra unless Agger is injured.

A bold statement. You could be right and it certainly highlights the contract extension he received on that famous day.

[Mostar]

A bold statement. You could be right and it certainly highlights the contract extension he received on that famous day.

It's time for Carra to be phased out and we wouldn't be spending 16-17m on English international to keep him on the bench.

[Exiled_red]

So going by rumours, could it be:

------------ Carroll
-- Downing -- Suarez -- Kuyt
------- Adam -- Spearing
Enrique - Agger - Carra - Kelly
------------ Reina

That looks a decent team. I'd like Lucas to play instead of Spearing but Kenny obviously thinks the travelling or short pre-season has affected him, so given the circumstances I'd be happy with that.

Also when you consider Lucas, Johnson and Gerrard are regulars who you would assume come back into the team when fit, that looks a much stronger squad than we've had for a while.

[billy_mac]

Game day, bring it on. Bruce has always done reasonably well against us as a player and a manager, today that changes.

[Muddled]

I think it's Henderson starting and not Spearing.

Don't you think we would lack a bit of steel? For me, we need Spearing or Lucas in the line-up.

[Muddled]

Is Aurelio *actually* injured, or is this just TwitterTalk?

[Mostar]

Don't you think we would lack a bit of steel? For me, we need Spearing or Lucas in the line-up.

Yep.

No way we'll start the game without DM type of a player.

It's either Jay or Lucas that will play today.

[Exiled_red]

Don't you think we would lack a bit of steel? For me, we need Spearing or Lucas in the line-up.

Yep.

No way we'll start the game without DM type of a player.

It's either Jay or Lucas that will play today.

[Mostar]

Is Aurelio *actually* injured, or is this just TwitterTalk?

No official statement yet but according to multiple rumors and obviously mighty Twitter yes he's injured and not available today.

[JohnDoe]

Don't you think we would lack a bit of steel? For me, we need Spearing or Lucas in the line-up.

Only problem with your argument is that Spearing is not close to being as good defensively as he's made out to be. He's definitely not one who adds "steel" into a midfield.

[Muddled]

That looks a decent team. I'd like Lucas to play instead of Spearing but Kenny obviously thinks the travelling or short pre-season has affected him, so given the circumstances I'd be happy with that.

Also when you consider Lucas, Johnson and Gerrard are regulars who you would assume come back into the team when fit, that looks a much stronger squad than we've had for a while.

Indeed.

I'd have liked to see a Lucas, Adam axis too. I think this will be a key area of the pitch for us; two players who can win us possession and both are going to be our springboard to attack. From the little I saw of Adam last season, he did give up the chase when tracking back - whether that was a fitness thing or his head had been turned, I don't know, but Blackpool conceded a lot of goals were Adam didn't follow his man. If we've addressed his concentration and fitness in pre-season, great, as I think he is going to be an extremely important player for us.

Lucas just needs to continue his form from last season. His importance to the team will be highlighted more when we have Enrique and Johnson bombing forward. Bring Gerrard back in to the mix and it looks as if he is going to be edged towards the right side in my opinion.

And this is before we even talk about Henderson and Meireles!