Sunderland are a serious threat

[trout man]

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere but I have to say from watching the Tyneside derby yesterday and the evidence in recent weeks suggests that Sunderland could cause us serious problems in a one off match at wembley. They have galvanised under poyet and are not only enjoying their football but seem to be capable of spraying the ball round the park with ease and making string incisive attacks quite reminiscent of ourselves. If they continue their climb to safety and the league cup becomes simply a game they can enjoy to win silverware then we really will have to be at our best to beat them. Wigan is still seared into my brain and though I know we are not that team anymore, typical City is still difficult to erase from a 45 year olds memory. I trust in this team and Pellegrini but this is going to be a hell of a game.

[carl_feedthegoat]

One way traffic , no one can stop our style of football.

End of.

[Ted Hughes]

Anybody in the Prem & several Championship teams could cause us a problem if we are not properly on our game.

Likewise, if we are, I would back us to beat any of those teams.

[stevefromdonny]

lets hope pellers will put our best 11 in from the start, none of this resting some players

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Anybody in the Prem & several Championship teams could cause us a problem if we are not properly on our game. Likewise, if we are, I would back us to beat any of those teams.

Essentially what you're saying is that in a game of football one team will win and one will lose? :)

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Anybody in the Prem & several Championship teams could cause us a problem if we are not properly on our game. Likewise, if we are, I would back us to beat any of those teams.

Essentially what you're saying is that in a game of football one team will win and one will lose? :)

My goodness, such an acute insight makes you look especially profound.

Nice assessment though.

[trout man]

I get the sentiment, I just feel there will be no room for error and we will have to match their desire for this. That may be the most difficult thing considering the other potential prizes that may be on the horizon. This game will be the opportunity for Pelligrinis first piece of European silverware and it will be interesting to see how he approaches the game, but trust is the one thing I have in abundance for our 'engineer'

[Slim]

One way traffic , no one can stop our style of football.

End of.

Sunday November 10
Sunderland 1-0 Manchester City
P Bardsley 21

Well, except when they do.

[Moonchesteri]

I get the sentiment, I just feel there will be no room for error and we will have to match their desire for this. That may be the most difficult thing considering the other potential prizes that may be on the horizon. This game will be the opportunity for Pelligrinis first piece of European silverware and it will be interesting to see how he approaches the game, but trust is the one thing I have in abundance for our 'engineer'

I think this is the key. If we are up for it just as much as they are I think we will see a great day at Wembley, but if not, we are looking for trouble

[Tokyo Blue]

You don't get to a final by being shit. They are clearly a threat, but so are we. Match them for work-rate and they'll need all the favours phil dowd* can muster to beat us.

*or whoever

[carl_feedthegoat]

One way traffic , no one can stop our style of football.

End of.

Sunday November 10
Sunderland 1-0 Manchester City
P Bardsley 21

Well, except when they do.

I prefer to look at the present my china,,,, our team have been on another planet since that game...which was the last one we lost....nearly 3 months ago.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

Sunderland are irrelevant; the result will be determined by whether Steve from Donny goes to the game.

More seriously, I actually think Sunderland's improved form helps us: if they are after a contest of proper football, then we are more likely to win.

[Sparklehorse]

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere but I have to say from watching the Tyneside derby yesterday and the evidence in recent weeks suggests that Sunderland could cause us serious problems in a one off match at wembley. They have galvanised under poyet and are not only enjoying their football but seem to be capable of spraying the ball round the park with ease and making string incisive attacks quite reminiscent of ourselves. If they continue their climb to safety and the league cup becomes simply a game they can enjoy to win silverware then we really will have to be at our best to beat them. Wigan is still seared into my brain and though I know we are not that team anymore, typical City is still difficult to erase from a 45 year olds memory. I trust in this team and Pellegrini but this is going to be a hell of a game.

I personally think that we are more likely to win if they try and play, the teams we have struggled against, particularly at home, have been Hull and Palace. So unless you score early it can become difficult.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

The game on 12/2 will be interesting to see how their packed defence and massive running /effort goes at the Etihad. We will be up for that and should batter them but any 3 points will do then If we score first and early we will batter them but that's the case against anyone.

[phips]

i agree with this sentiment but i also think Newcastle are shit so their 0-3 drubbing makes Sunderland look better than they are.
still though, it will be a tough test. hopefully Sergio is back by then and we havent picked up any injuries along the way until then

[branny]

We haven't beaten them away from the Etihad since swps second coming in 2008 and AJs equaliser the following season is the last time we scored against them away. Must be our worst record against anybody since the Sheikh took over. That's why I'd rather have faced the rags in the final.

[glossopblue]

I'm sure Sunderland are going to be more worried about us than we are of them. Be tough but I'm sure we'll win.3-1

[Hutch's Shoulder]

Sunderland are in decent form but they are by no means as good as other teams we have played and beaten.

If injuries allow us to pick a balanced side and the team start with the tempo we showed at WHL, then we will win, barring dodgy decisions or outrageous luck.

If Sunderland do play better than us in those circumstances they will deserve to win.

[ashton287]

They are a threat. But this will be pellers first trophy so we won't turn up and try half arsing it.

We will go all out. Attack for attack we will destroy them. Even without aguero.

[Dunnylad]

We haven't beaten them away from the Etihad since swps second coming in 2008 and AJs equaliser the following season is the last time we scored against them away. Must be our worst record against anybody since the Sheikh took over. That's why I'd rather have faced the rags in the final.

Playing at the Stadium of Shite is a lot different to Wembley and they've not made a major final in decades - mind losing to the Rags in the final would have been a much more bitter pill than the Mackems