There is a lot to be said for at least attempting to win at home and take a point away. That produces 69 points at home and cunningly 23 away = 92. That is probably enough to win the league. It is a very comfortable tally and one that Forest won't achieve this season.
A good manager should be able build a team where the sum is greater than the value of the individual parts, that is achieved by asking players to play to their strengths and in a formation that hides their weaker traits.
Forest haven't played Sunderland since 2008. They are having a desperate time of it at the moment; lets hope Forest don't turn into the gift that keeps on giving.
The Black Cats are winless in 13 league games at the Stadium of Light (D5 L8) - their second-longest winless home run in their league history (18 in 2005-06).
Simon Grayson has called on his players to roll their sleeves up do whatever it takes to get three points tonight.
Sunderland are back in action at the Stadium of Light for the second time in four days as they face Nottingham Forest, kick-off 7.45pm.
A much-changed Black Cats side suffered defeat on Saturday to Sheffield United, but Grayson has admitted his players must continue to give everything to the cause if they are to turn their dip in form around.
Speaking at his pre-Forest press conference yesterday, the Sunderland boss urged his players to get stuck in and do whatever it takes to kick start an upturn in results.
“We have got to do whatever is required to make it right," he said.
“That is the good thing about the Championship at times because if you lose a game on a Saturday you have got another game very quickly.
“We have looked at the situation from Saturday, we have got to learn how to deal with these situations from Saturday and be as positive as we can be.
“Whatever is required to go and win a game – that is what we need to do on Tuesday night.
“It is still early days for everybody. This group of players are learning about us, each other and the football club because it is such a big club.
“Not many players have played at such a big club like Sunderland.
“The one big thing is they want to be here for the right reasons and it is a working progress.
“We are still building things, we have got to still gel and get all the right ingredients working," he continued.
“Hopefully over the next few weeks and months all the hard work we are putting in will come to fruition.
“We have got to try and do whatever is required because before you know it, you win a game at home and it can suddenly become a different place."
From the SunderlandF.C website.
Nottingham Forest have lost eight of their last 10 away Championship matches on a Tuesday (D2) since a 1-0 win at Birmingham in September 2015.
No Championship player has had a hand in more goals than Barrie McKay this season (five; two goals, three assists).
Daryl Murphy is in contention to line-up against his former club tonight on Wearside. Murphy moved to the City ground in the summer from Newcastle United in the summer and has since scored three goals in six league matches. The 34-year-old enjoyed a memorable spell at Sunderland as he was part of Roy Keane’s 2007 promotion winning side to the Premier League. Liam Bridcutt is also a familiar face who is on Forest’s books as to is David Vaughan, however, he seems likely to miss tonight’s match through injury.
Forest need to stop losing and gain a point tonight. That means a return for Eric Lichaj at right back and finding a place in the team for Michael Mancienne; two defenders who can mark and track a opponent.
However if Warburton continues with a similar formation and tactics as on Saturday [his press conference suggests that that is the case] we are very likely t return with nothing.
Is he bluffing?
Live @ http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/376247
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Sunderland V Forest Match Thread
posted on 14/9/17
Some Foxy stats:
When DF Played in his 23 Championship games in 16/17, we:
Won – 6 = 26.01%
Drew – 5 = 21.7%
Lost – 12 = 52.17%
Points obtained - 23
When DF didn’t play in the other 23 Championship games in 16/17, we:
Won – 8 = 34.7%
Drew – 4 = 17.4%
Lost – 11 = 47.8%
Points obtained - 28
posted on 14/9/17
When DF has played at LB, I think the statistical position would be worse (there were some reasonable results when he was moved to CB towards the end of last season) although not specifically done those figures yet!
posted on 14/9/17
My feeling is that Hobbs, Fox and Mills are still in our squad Because no-one else will pay their wages. The preference would have been to replace them but we are stuck with all three until their contracts run down.
On their day all three are capable but in reality they are inconsistent, often easily exposed as vulnerable to pace and movement.
Basically they are average championship defenders who got hefty contracts based on achievements from earlier in their careers that no where near reflects what they have done for the club in the years they have been here.
posted on 14/9/17
Out of the three only Hobbs possibly is on biggish money; Mills was signed when we were under F.F.P on a free so cannot earn more than £12k a week although that is more than enough to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Notts I would have thought.
posted on 14/9/17
I agree in principal with judging the defence as a unit, but if one player makes it noticeably poorer, then he is the main contributor to it failing imo.
I don't rate Hobbs in this system either. He struggles to pass the ball.
The only thing more consistent than Fox being poor at LB. My criticism of him. Happy to have him as 4th / 5th choice, but Pearce should've never signed him.
I don't rate Henderson either and I'm sure he'll be off once a decent goalie comes in. Cohen unfortunately is no longer the player he was. Not even mentioned by Warburton. And if Vellios is never going to feature then sell him also.
Other than that, I love every player as much as I love the club. Sentiment gets you nowhere in football, plus those wages might get us a player who can take us somewhere.
posted on 15/9/17
Good research, sph.
Can someone do the same and bring us the figures for our other defenders. Also the figures for the many combinations we have tried at the back.
Football is not like cricket; it is never about one v. one (except maybe at a penalty). It is not about how Fox defends our left flank. If Fox goes tight on his man and the ball is played in behind him is Fox expected to turn and recover the situation or does the LCB move across. is the right thing happening? If the situation leads to a goal who gets the blame? Danny Fox of course.
I was listening to an interesting program earlier this week. Talking about Guardiola's methods. It was claimed that he divides the pitch into 20 areas and wherever the ball is on the pitch every player knows which of these 20 areas he should be in. Coaching has certainly moved on since my day
posted on 15/9/17
As an aside; who remembers when Neil Webb and Nigel Clough wore the Garibaldi? Those two had an understanding that was almost telepathic. If Nigel dropped off to collect the ball Neil would automatically run beyond him to collect Nigel's knock on. Teamwork
posted on 15/9/17
Guardiola works with the best of the best. Players that can take instruction and instantly act upon it. Players at Forest's level will aspire to this and some will make that leap and play at the top level. Most won't be able to maintain that level of commitment and concentration and will be on it one week and get praise then make a hash of it at some point afterwards.
posted on 15/9/17
Until Forest can get themselves into the Prem, they'll be forever fishing in the shallower end of the talent pool on the whole. No disrespect to any players of course. They mostly try and play to the best of their ability whilst in the garibaldi red.
posted on 15/9/17
The Academy could be the saving grace as they seem to have the balance just right and are producing some talented players. Players that could supersede the likes of Hobbs, Mills and Fox with some luck and get Forest up to the next level.