Sunderland (h) build up

[Yozza]

Alonso was sent off for them V Norwich so he'll miss the game

Recent form last 6:

W W L L D L

Wickham returns from loan spell

Striker Connor Wickham is to return to Sunderland after being recalled from his loan spell with Championship side Leeds United.
The 20-year-old will be available for the Black Cats' trip to Anfield on Wednesday evening, with on-loan Liverpool striker Fabio Borini unable to face his parent club due to league rules.

[Shaggy]

Fletcher is injured too so I think they'll start that Altidore, who is absolute ****e but a big powerful ****er nonetheless.

Normally when we go on insane goal sprees I predict the next game to be a bit more conservative, but in true League Cup winners' style they have imploded and I fancy us to stick 5 past them.

[baitman]

We're going to buy him aren't we?

It seemed quite a pointed quote, that one.

FWIW I thought Caulker was gash on Saturday but since we make practically everyone look **** perhaps it's unfair judging a defender on a performance against us.

agree he did look a bit crap. i mentioned in the match thread [or the build up] to keep an eye out and see if he shows any signs of being worthy
the french lad who partners him looked more lively, but faded away later in the game.

[frank the tank]

If we win our remaining 8 games, that'll be an unprecedented 16 game winning streak to finish the season on. I just can't see that happening at all.

That said I can't see Chelsea or City winning all of their games either. There's a few more points to be dropped yet by everyone.

however, I can't see us losing on merit either. We are the team playing the best football at this stage of the season and if anything look like we are getting stronger..... i even think we would have the players to absorb one key injury - perhaps with the exception of Mignolet and Suarez - and still push on.

This will be an interesting week to look at Man City. If they get 6 out of 6 with away games at United and Arsenal, then surely they are in the driving seat. I thought they were cruising to it about 6 weeks ago but they've had a little wobble. It is a pity they didn't progress in the CL because those extra games would have tested them. Pellegrini strikes me as the Kevin Keegan type that could blow up mentally if put under serious pressure.

I just hope Brendan doesn't tinker too much between games (would be tempting to put Sakho and/or Lucas back in the side soon) because we seem to be on a roll at the moment and hopefully it continues.....

[Redspin]

We need a couple more wins to sort top 4 imo. Im still concerned we might miss out

Dear God. Someone hand him the whisky bottle and sleeping pills

[Redspin]

You'd better hope Redspin doesn't see this!

Sorted

[Redspin]

Is he an optimist as opposed to me being pessimistic?

No he's realistic

[john316]

If we win our remaining 8 games, that'll be an unprecedented 16 game winning streak to finish the season on. I just can't see that happening at all.

Arsenal closed out in 2003 I think it was on a 15 game winning run in the league. We'd finish on a 14 games winning run wouldn't we?

[Redspin]

Fletcher is injured too so I think they'll start that Altidore, who is absolute ****e but a big powerful ****er nonetheless.

Normally when we go on insane goal sprees I predict the next game to be a bit more conservative, but in true League Cup winners' style they have imploded and I fancy us to stick 5 past them.

The optimist of all optimists (aka realist of all realists) predicts that we'll probably score seven. Sunderland are pure crap

[dom9]

Arsenal closed out in 2003 I think it was on a 15 game winning run in the league. We'd finish on a 14 games winning run wouldn't we?

yes, you're right. It's still a huge ask though. If we can pull it, we'll have 89 points. And I think I'd have 89 pints.

[john316]

You're right that it seems nearly impossible but if City do drop points tomorrow or at Arsenal, then for the likes of Gerrard/Suarez/Sturridge etc, it must seem like an incredible opportunity that if we can come up with the football equivalent of a 9 dart finish, we'll be Premier League Champions!

[Yozza]

[tufty]

****ing hell reminds me of the final game of the season. V the Arse in '89. Went to see REM and came home to watch the match through the miracle of the video recorder. Expected to conclude an enjoyable evening watching us being handed the trophy. . . . . .

I was on holiday in Rhodes at the time and back then they didn't show live games and as it was quite easy to stay away from the result and sat myself down in a local bar the next day to enjoy a few beers ................

[Shaggy]

I was 12 and a couple of us went round to my mates house round the corner. We were all in tears at the end and my mates Dad, not into football, came in laughing and started taking photos of us. Cunt.

[Mostar]

We went "all out" v Villa and were lucky to not get beaten. I'd leave Allen in, he adds a bit of control in milfield and is a mobile link between defence and attack.

Same here.

Cannot drop Allen as we need him to help Flanno who had his worst game vs Cardiff.

Personally only dilema is to play either Sterling or Coutinho and I'd go with Sterling as he and Luis especially seem to have a very good understanding.

No other changes for me.