catts

Kid Galahad · 4th August 2011, 07:33 AM

How many games do you think he'll start this season ? I went to the York friendly and thought he was our best player but reports since suggest Gardner and Vaughan have been more impressive ,given that he's captain i imagine he'll start v Liverpool but long term do you think he can cut it ?

hudson88 · 4th August 2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid Galahad

How many games do you think he'll start this season ? I went to the York friendly and thought he was our best player but reports since suggest Gardner and Vaughan have been more impressive ,given that he's captain i imagine he'll start v Liverpool but long term do you think he can cut it ?

I think he'll benefit massively from a proper rest at the end of the season, then a full preseason. He was in the Paper the other night saying it's the 1st proper preseason he has had in about 3 years as other years he has had international duties, injuries or has moved clubs halfway through.

Dexter · 4th August 2011, 07:37 AM

He will start every game he's fit/not suspended for.

He's one of Bruce's favourites.

Coeus · 4th August 2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexter

He will start every game he's fit/not suspended for.

He's one of Bruce's favourites.

With good reason?

Trembaths · 4th August 2011, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexter

He will start every game he's fit/not suspended for.

He's one of Bruce's favourites.

This.
Although if he starts showing the red mist early in a game and has a yellow card, SB now has more options to get him out of 'harms' way.
For all he's a favourite he has more competition with the emergence of colback and the signings of vaughan and gardner, not to mention the eventual return of meyler.

raven_5 · 4th August 2011, 07:47 AM

About 10-12 starts I think. Vaughan seems a much better player, Colback should also play ahead of him and the new 6m goalscoring midfielder (Gardner) should play a big part this season. Not to mention Catt's medical problems.

Dexter · 4th August 2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coeus

With good reason?

Not really. He's usually straight back in the team after injury or suspension despite never really excelling in a Sunderland shirt.

This season is absolutely massive for him.

Coeus · 4th August 2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexter

Not really. He's usually straight back in the team after injury or suspension despite never really excelling in a Sunderland shirt.

This season is absolutely massive for him.

There's usually a reason for that though. Lack of other options and what have you (Should be less of an issue this season). Lets not forget he Is our captain, Bruce see's him week in and week out and believes he's very important to the team.

I agree his form wasnt top notch last season, there have been reason's/excuses given for this but its always difficult to gauge how important a ball winner's contribution is. If he could just get back to the form he showed for the first 3/4(?) months then we would have a top top player on our hands but as it stands I certainly wouldnt see him as a weak link.

prehab26 · 4th August 2011, 08:00 AM

He will be first name on the teamsheet if fit.

Trembaths · 4th August 2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexter

Not really. He's usually straight back in the team after injury or suspension despite never really excelling in a Sunderland shirt.

This season is absolutely massive for him.

TBF to SB he's shown he's happy to drop players if there are others better or there's a slump in form, eg Gordon and Cana.
he's been around the traps long enough and being part of SAF's man utd, such that no player has a god given right to believe selection is automatic.
I think if catts had eg 3 bad games, he'd drop him.