Starting XI: Is this Sunderland's team for final game of the season versus Sheff Wed?
04/05/2024 07:01
Will it be a similar team to the one that played against Watford? Probably.
We stumble into the season's final game breathing a bit of a sigh of relief. Not because we've achieved anything, not because we've managed to avoid relegation, but just because – well – the season's almost over.
Since January, it's been dire, and while we've cruised into May it just feels to me as if we've simply wasted five months. Having an interim manager who's seemingly reluctant to experiment or find out anything new about any of the players is baffling, and without being dramatic, it's been insulting to all of us.
I doubt Mike Dodds would have experimented much today anyway. However, the fact Sheff Wed could still go down means he's got the excuse to once again play what he believes is our 'strongest side'.
Oh well. By half past two we won't need to think about Mike Dodds' team selection ever again. Well, when I say ever again, I do, of course, mean until December, when he steps back into the interim manager's position for a few games. Fun, fun, fun.
Anyway, here's how I reckon we'll line up today.
Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson
There are rumours Patto's a doubt, and I wouldn't mind seeing Nathan Bishop in action to be honest, but I can't see Patterson wanting to lose his ever present tag on the last day of the season.
Defenders: Trai Hume, Luke O'Nien, Dan Ballard, Aje Alese
I'd play Pembele at right back today – we need to see if he can play there or if he's exclusively a wing back – but I think we'll go back to a flat four with Hume and Alese either side of O'Nien and Ballard.
Midfield: Pierre Ekwah, Jobe Bellingham
There's not much choice in the centre of midfield, so it's definitely Ekwah plus one – and I reckon that one will be Jobe. For everyone's sake we need to figure out where his best position is, and I do reckon it's deeper than he's tended to play this campaign.
Attack: Patrick Roberts, Adil Aouchiche, Chris Rigg, Jack Clarke
Aouchiche got the nod in the 'false 9' role last weekend, and did alright, so I reckon we'll stick with him in that role, supported through the middle by Rigg. At least I hope so... It's a difficult one when he's so young, but I do think Rigg's been a bit hard done by having been played on the right. Stick him through the centre. Either side of those two I reckon will be Clarke on the left and Roberts on the right. Roberts has had a rotten season, summed up by his trip and miss last week, but I think he'll be given the chance to remind everyone what he's all about today.
