Sunderland are having yet another dreadful season but they could still complete the great escape and survive, much to the belief of our landlord here at the Transfer Tavern.
Indeed, he feels that the Black Cats just need to get the fundamentals right and then they can push on, starting with the upset of beating Manchester City!
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City themselves haven’t had the best season but by no means is it as bad as what David Moyes has had at Sunderland.
He has not managed to get the best from his side and arguably they simply aren’t doing the basics right and at this level you really should be. They need to stop simply relying on Jermain Defoe and actually start to bring other players into the game too.
Teams exploit the fact that Sunderland try to get the ball to Defoe at every opportunity and now they’ve cut that supply, Sunderland are well and truly struggling.
They just need to make it click this weekend and if they do there will be no reason why they couldn’t shock Guardiola’s men.
So with that in mind, if Moyes picks this Sunderland XI, they will surely shock Man City this weekend…
GK: JORDAN PICKFORD
Much to the delight of everyone here at the bar, and in particular the Sunderland faithful, Jordan Pickford is now back and available for selection.
The England under-21 keeper was the main reason that Sunderland had any hopes of survival, so when he was injured it was a massive blow for the club. Vito Mannone has done okay but Pickford is the main man in goal.
RB: BILLY JONES
The former West Brom defender hasn’t really made much impact on the side, but he is their starting right-back and with very few options in that position it is likely he will remain.
He’ll have a tough battle against the likes of David Silva and Leroy Sane, so he’ll need to bring his ‘A’ game in this one.
CB: LAMINE KONE
The hero of last season for the Black Cats, not only in defence but in scoring vital goals as his side remained in the Premier League.
This season he hasn’t made quite the same contribution but this lad for sure has made a difference with his strength at the back and he’ll need to be at his very best to help stop Aguero!
CB: JOHN O’SHEA
As much as this may divide our punters here at the Tavern, having players like O’Shea in the team is the reason behind the struggles that Sunderland are having.
But, when you look at their alternative being Joleon Lescott, it really shows why the club are where they are currently!
LB: BRYAN OVIEDO
One of the many former Everton players currently at Sunderland, Oviedo has been unfortunate with injuries in his time in England so far.
This is an opportunity for him to really kick on and play every week, should he keep fit.
RM: SEB LARSSON
The Swedish international has had a bit of a stalled career through injuries. But when fit he is a very important player for Sunderland and at times over the past few seasons has shown moments of class and moments of magic
The Black Cats will be hoping he produces more of his magic in this game!
CM: DARRON GIBSON
Another former Everton man who they had high hopes for that didn’t quite work out, which was the same situation that he had in his time with Manchester United.
He will need to be ruthless in the heart of the midfield against his one time rival Manchester City.
CM: DIDIER NDONG
Ndong has been a superb addition to the Sunderland midfield and looks to be a talent.
He’ll have a hard fought battle in the midfield with the likes of David Silva and Yaya Toure but he can use the strength that he possesses to stop them and he also isn’t shy to a run or two up field when needed. The Black Cats will struggle to keep him at the club should they drop down to the Championship.
LM: ADNAN JANUZAJ
The talented Manchester United loanee will for sure want to get one over on his parent club’s rivals Manchester City.
Januzaj has all the potential to be a great player and has shown signs of that in the league this season.
ST: FABIO BORINI
It’s important that Sunderland play two up top in order to try and expose the back-line for Manchester City.
Borini is very much a hit or miss striker, he either scores a blinder and has a belter of a game or he can’t hit a barn door with a banjo!
Moyes and Sunderland will be hoping he has one of those games where he is unplayable in this fixture against City and causes their shaky defence problems.
ST: JERMAIN DEFOE
The main man at Sunderland who sometimes they rely on too much in games but there is a valid reason for that!
The amount of goals that Defoe has this season and for a team at the bottom of the league is incredible. Defoe has just got better with age, like a fine wine. The Sunderland faithful here at the bar will be hoping he has a belter yet again and bangs in the goals and helps them to shock Man City.
Thoughts, Sunderland fans? Let us know below!
