Sunderland (A) Match and Post Match Thread

[RichC]

That is a tough run of games for them. You've got to hope Spurs stop their momentum tonight as the longer it goes on the more invincible they're going to feel and a lot of football is about confidence which they're brimming with.

[labourRed]

That is a tough run of games for them. You've got to hope Spurs stop their momentum tonight as the longer it goes on the more invincible they're going to feel and a lot of football is about confidence which they're brimming with.

An alternative view is Chelsea beat Spurs to consolidate our top four position. Not that a view either way means jack to the result.

I'm going to edge my bets with a feisty encounter ending in a draw. Not that i can be arsed watching it.

[RichC]

It's one of these where do you see our ambitions for the season, if you hope we can go on and push for the league then a Spurs win would make sense although it makes it tighter for a top 4 finish with both Spurs and annoyingly the Mancs in decent form in the league.

For me it has to be either a Spurs win or at worse a draw which would keep the status quo in terms of gap to them at the top.

Whatever happens all we can really do is concentrate on our own results and hopefully take advantage of some slip ups if and when they appear.

[frank the tank]

Said the same yesterday myself - it's not entirely make or break, but when you look at our fixtures and Chelsea's fixtures over the next 4-5 weeks, if they're still 6+ points ahead on 5th Feb then they'll more than likely walk the league. On the other hand if we have a very good month and they drop a few points (as expected) then it'll be game on for the rest of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea Wed 4 Jan 20:00
Leicester City v Chelsea Sat 14 Jan 17:30
Chelsea v Hull City Sun 22 Jan 16:30
Liverpool v Chelsea Tue 31 Jan 20:00
Chelsea v Arsenal Sat 4 Feb 12:30

The day after they play Leicester, we play the mancs. Every game is critical but that weekend could be a turning point. Leicester are having a scrappy season but against the big teams then their counter attacking set up comes to the fore. As seen against Man City.

After we play Man United, we could be 11 points behind Chelsea. Or we could be 2.

One game at a time but how sweet would it be to play them at Anfield - under the lights - with a chance to go above them. ****in hell - that could break them and put big pressure when they play Arsenal a couple of days later.

[The_weatherman]

I just love it that we are here again, fighting. TBH I would be delighted with a top three finish and maybe a cup.

[danperkins]

Ridiculous questions like that are bound to frustrate any manager, moron. We do need a big favour from Spurs tonight, a Spurs win or even a draw would be brilliant.

[danperkins]

The day after they play Leicester, we play the mancs. Every game is critical but that weekend could be a turning point. Leicester are having a scrappy season but against the big teams then their counter attacking set up comes to the fore. As seen against Man City.

After we play Man United, we could be 11 points behind Chelsea. Or we could be 2.

One game at a time but how sweet would it be to play them at Anfield - under the lights - with a chance to go above them. ****in hell - that could break them and put big pressure when they play Arsenal a couple of days later.

huge weekend that.

[Norbs]

That is a tough run of games for them. You've got to hope Spurs stop their momentum tonight as the longer it goes on the more invincible they're going to feel and a lot of football is about confidence which they're brimming with.

I'm not a Spurs hater but know you're not fan. I feel they are the closest to us in the league on terms of size and style. They're the biggest threat to us, imo, but I really really want them to win tonight

[red g]

I'm not a Spurs hater but know you're not fan. I feel they are the closest to us in the league on terms of size and style. They're the biggest threat to us, imo, but I really really want them to win tonight

not sure i get this? biggest threat how? do u mean that we are likely to be fighting spurs for 4th/5th?

I can see Arsenal, City and Spurs as equal threats....maybe Spurs just behind those two as dont think they have the squad, Having said that Arsenal or City don't look 'right ' at the moment.

Having said that i am in way giving up the league as of yet so I think Spurs are our least threat as of the teams mentioned I think they will finish bottom of that pile.

And while i am not discounting Scum gaterashing the top 4, I want to see how the play against a decent team before making judgement.

[Norbs]

not sure i get this? biggest threat how? do u mean that we are likely to be fighting spurs for 4th/5th?

I can see Arsenal, City and Spurs as equal threats....maybe Spurs just behind those two as dont think they have the squad, Having said that Arsenal or City don't look 'right ' at the moment.

Having said that i am in way giving up the league as of yet so I think Spurs are our least threat as of the teams mentioned I think they will finish bottom of that pile.

And while i am not discounting Scum gaterashing the top 4, I want to see how the play against a decent team before making judgement.

I think we think we're further ahead of the chasing pack than we actually are. Chelsea seem to be out there on their own at the minute, which means there are 3 places up for grabs contested by 5 aides. I think we have the weakest first team in the top five and the best manager. Spurs players aren't necessarily better but they have a better balance. I'm not being pessimistic, just think we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves.

Edit after tonight's game. Spurs are now our closest rival, I can't see why it's so hard for fans to accept that it terms of quality we're closer to them than anyone else. I'd not be the all surprised if we finish next to each other in the league

[Norbs]

^ wise old words there