Sunderland (A) Match and Post Match Thread

[PTP]

I think we're overplaying this 'make or break' situation. We could win all our games this month and still end up cup-less and outside the top four when the time comes. So is it really that make or break?

What we need to do is just keep going, expect some bumps along the way, but ultimately when all the top six games are over by end of February put together a winning run finish. With all our players fit again by then, and only one game a week, there is no reason for panic.

I think the make or break month is more targeted at the fact the window is now open -

don't sign anyone, pick up more injuries, players get more tired, we slip away = break

bring in two or three new players, give us a lift, strengthen the squad allowing for key players to rotate = make

obviously though who knows - we could sign no one and pick up no injuries, we could sign 6 world class players and completely **** up the side

[Exiled_red]

I think we're overplaying this 'make or break' situation. We could win all our games this month and still end up cup-less and outside the top four when the time comes. So is it really that make or break?

What we need to do is just keep going, expect some bumps along the way, but ultimately when all the top six games are over by end of February put together a winning run finish. With all our players fit again by then, and only one game a week, there is no reason for panic.

Ok maybe not make or break, but with alot of games including one against our title rivals (if you assume we are still in that race) and against a top 4 rival, plus a couple of League cup semis with our squad currently looking rather thin due to injuries makes this potentially the most difficult month of the season, if we have a bad month the season isn't looking quite so great, come through it strongly and we could be right back in the title race and in a cup final.

[danperkins]

Yours was just the post that prompted me

I still believe that if the supporters don't think it's possible then it probably won't happen.

Agree with the squad depth, though we do seem to have had 2 bad winters with injuries.

I'll be happy whatever this season because we are a good improving team, but I'll not rule out winning the league until it's impossible.

I'm delighted with the season, i'm not saying I don't believe we can win ... with our fully fit side IMO we can beat anyone but it's a long hard grind and squad depth really starts to kick in the second half on the season ... especially with our arduous style of play. I believe Chelsea have a better "squad" than anyone in the league and with no champs league to worry about their goals our the same as ours. It's never going to be a level playing field with likes of Chelsea and their millions anyways.

It's all good at LFC this season. Style of play, manager, atmosphere hugely improved, player mentality hugely improved, work rate hugely improved. That Sunderland game came at a bad time with injuries and after a tough game against City. Coutinho, Matip, Hendo & Milner are 4 first team players that fully fit are main stays and there's no way we would have lost with them in the side on a regular day IMO. So I'm not reading too much into it, bad day at the office, lads looked exhausted & key injuries hampered us... it happens. If we are smart in the Jan window and lucky with injuries (i know!) well then anything can happen.

So far though, it's been a fantastic season

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Our first touch seems to be off lately, Can, Firmino and Clyne I've noticed as the main culprit, having said that we've still managed to beat Everton and City in that time. It may not be accurate its something I've noticed recently.

[danperkins]

Yeah true enough, could be to do with tiredness. Definitely Firmino and Clyne anyways as they are full tilt in every game. Surely that has to take it's toll.

[Buzzo]

Our first touch seems to be off lately, Can, Firmino and Clyne I've noticed as the main culprit, having said that we've still managed to beat Everton and City in that time. It may not be accurate its something I've noticed recently.

Our over all control of possession and matches hasn't been quite as good as it was earlier in the season. I wonder if that is due to the lack of Matip who is the one CB with composure on the ball. Lovren and Klavan don't have that quality.

That said, we were absolutely destroying teams back then which was definitely unsustainable.

We miss Coutinho for sure, and Henderson will be a big loss if he is out even for one game.

As Dan mentions above take Matip, Milner, Henderson and Coutinho out the team and you've removed some of our most consistent and experienced performers.

[Exiled_red]

Our first touch seems to be off lately, Can, Firmino and Clyne I've noticed as the main culprit, having said that we've still managed to beat Everton and City in that time. It may not be accurate its something I've noticed recently.

Our play hasn't looked as fluid since Coutinho got injured, Firmino hasn't looked the same player in this time either. Mane has perhaps been our best attacking threat and with him off to the African cup of nations we could really do with Coutinho back.

With the small squad and the energy we put into games I worry about us lasting the distance, I think that it was this that cost us at the end of the 2013-14 season and we seem to have a similar usable squad size and are arguably putting more energy into games.

Certain players have had hardly any breaks and I think that this is starting to show.

[Bender]

[ame]https://twitter.com/SportdecApp/status/816305669099966465[/ame]

[Fredo]

Pep also lost his cool at idiotic questions been thrown at him last night .

[BigChief]

Didn't lose his cool at all. Even the other reporters were pissed at the idiot not getting the clear answer.

[Fredo]

Didn't lose his cool at all. Even the other reporters were pissed at the idiot not getting the clear answer.

I meant Pep. In hindsight I don't think he lost his it either.

[Chris]

Klopp says it was a penalty then the next question asks him was it a penalty. For **** sake.

[Red_Polo]

Klopp says it was a penalty then the next question asks him was it a penalty. For **** sake.

It was like he was going to be satisfied until he heard the words exactly as he wanted to be able to.

Which journo was it, anyone know?

[Norbs]

Del

[calvoboy]

Ok maybe not make or break, but with alot of games including one against our title rivals (if you assume we are still in that race) and against a top 4 rival, plus a couple of League cup semis with our squad currently looking rather thin due to injuries makes this potentially the most difficult month of the season, if we have a bad month the season isn't looking quite so great, come through it strongly and we could be right back in the title race and in a cup final.

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