---
title: "Sunderland: Fans react to starting XI"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-black-cats-lee-johnson-stadium-of-light-peterborough-league-one/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "jonathan radcliffe"
section: "Sunderland News"
published: "2021-04-05T13:50:16Z"
modified: "2021-04-05T13:50:16Z"
---

# Sunderland: Fans react to starting XI

**Many Sunderland fans are far from overjoyed with the starting XI Lee Johnson has picked for the Black Cats’ big League One clash this afternoon.**

The Wearside outfit face second-placed Peterborough in a game which could have a huge impact on whether they earn promotion to the Championship. A victory would see them move into the top two with a game in hand ([BBC](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/league-one/table)), but a defeat would make it far more difficult for them to go up automatically.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”350925″\]

Johnson has picked an attacking line-up for the match, deploying his team in a 4-4-2 formation. While some fans appeared to be happy with the intent, many questioned his decision to play Grant Leadbitter, and others were a little worried with the lack of bodies in midfield.

\[freshpress-poll id=”352121″\]

The starting XI was [shared by the club’s official Twitter account](https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/1379056271979118595) and it attracted plenty of attention from Sunderland fans. These supporters took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

### **Let’s see what the Sunderland fans had to say below**

**“Grant in a Central Midfield 2. Ahhh no.”**

Credit: [@JakeStappard\_](https://twitter.com/JakeStappard_/status/1379056653585244160)

**“Have to say I think this is dangerous. Only 2 in midfield and one of them a 90 year old Leadbitter….. I remain to be proven wrong.”**

Credit: [@LeBenjiboo](https://twitter.com/LeBenjiboo/status/1379057175549595662)

**“Two up top and only two in the middle of the park. I’m expecting the game to be won or lost in the midfield battle so it’s a massive risk to have less bodies and less mobile players exposed to the risk of been over ran in the middle.”**

Credit: [@irobarmstrong](https://twitter.com/irobarmstrong/status/1379057279778103298)

**“Strong team but worry about that central midfield with Leadbitter in a 2”**

Credit: [@brettd1981](https://twitter.com/brettd1981/status/1379057591653912576)

**“Not sure how I feel about this. Think we need 3 in midfield today. May seem negative but with Jones and McGeady out wide we still would’ve had creativity and goals”**

Credit: [@\_wisemensay](https://twitter.com/_wisemensay/status/1379058929578151945)

**“Over run in midfield ?”**

Credit: [@justaparkrunner](https://twitter.com/justaparkrunner/status/1379062403766292484)

***In other news, [many Sunderland fans love these comments from Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/sunderland-stadium-of-light-black-cats-kyril-louis-dreyfus-stewart-donald/)***