Assessing the top 2 candidates


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Always find it strange that people have been saying we’re weak at the back (I know we started poorly.. and we’re not the most cultured or streetwise at times) yet we have the best defensive record in the division - and then although we’re top scorers people say we’re deficient upfront too.. but we have goals right across the team.. in my humble opinion.. there’s probably 3 or 4 teams that can go up but at this point in time if I was anyone else but Sunderland I’d have concerns - I think our goal difference says a lot about where our strengths are
 
Always find it strange that people have been saying we’re weak at the back (I know we started poorly.. and we’re not the most cultured or streetwise at times) yet we have the best defensive record in the division - and then although we’re top scorers people say we’re deficient upfront too.. but we have goals right across the team.. in my humble opinion.. there’s probably 3 or 4 teams that can go up but at this point in time if I was anyone else but Sunderland I’d have concerns - I think our goal difference says a lot about where our strengths are
And we are only now playing a settled team.

Power, cattermole, watmore, Oviedo didn’t play yesterday.

Someone pointed out a month ago that we will have a squad that can cope better with injuries and suspensions.
 
Sunderland - On a roll now. Got players coming back and momentum. Still vulnerable in defence, and will be exposed against the best. Need another striker and a couple of defenders. Other than that look strong enough. Top 4 finish, probably top 3, top 2 depends on January investment.

Portsmouth - A machine. Great strength in depth, will probably invest in january. Solid if not unspectacular at times, extremely tough to beat. In Lowe, Curtis and Pitman they have the best attacking options in the league. Improve the home form and they will be champions.

Barnsley - Solid team and good attacking options but something not clicking with them. Something is missing. The fact they are where they are and haven't truly clicked yet says a lot.

Peterborough - Even after losing Marriot, they have got a good team and a guaranteed a playoff spot. However, exposed at home to Pompey and Barnsley and doubts remain over their consistency for a top 2 finish. In with a shout, but it's a long shot.

Portsmouth haven't hit top gear yet and IMO look the best equipped to be champions and have the best manager in the league. Barnsley/Sunderland for the 2nd spot.

See me tomorrow

I kna a good doctor
 
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Always find it strange that people have been saying we’re weak at the back (I know we started poorly.. and we’re not the most cultured or streetwise at times) yet we have the best defensive record in the division - and then although we’re top scorers people say we’re deficient upfront too.. but we have goals right across the team.. in my humble opinion.. there’s probably 3 or 4 teams that can go up but at this point in time if I was anyone else but Sunderland I’d have concerns - I think our goal difference says a lot about where our strengths are
10 different goal scorers, fortunately had enough fingers to count them, didn’t have to take my shoes off
 
No we don't. Only on goal difference.
You know that 2nd second sentence is a direct contradiction of the 1st?

It is the equivalent of arguing that 'No, Jonny is not married. Only until he gets divorced.'

Also, Sunderland are 'still vulnerable defensively', yet Portsmouth are the equivalent of Man City at everything.
Sunderland have won 6 games in a row, and haven't conceded a goal in the last 4. Portsmouth have drawn 3 of their last 6, and conceded about 7 goals in those games.

I'd reiterate the point you contradicted yourself on - If Sunderland win their game in hand, they're top of the league. And we will finish the season in exactly that spot.
 
Sunderland - On a roll now. Got players coming back and momentum. Still vulnerable in defence, and will be exposed against the best. Need another striker and a couple of defenders. Other than that look strong enough. Top 4 finish, probably top 3, top 2 depends on January investment.

Portsmouth - A machine. Great strength in depth, will probably invest in january. Solid if not unspectacular at times, extremely tough to beat. In Lowe, Curtis and Pitman they have the best attacking options in the league. Improve the home form and they will be champions.

Barnsley - Solid team and good attacking options but something not clicking with them. Something is missing. The fact they are where they are and haven't truly clicked yet says a lot.

Peterborough - Even after losing Marriot, they have got a good team and a guaranteed a playoff spot. However, exposed at home to Pompey and Barnsley and doubts remain over their consistency for a top 2 finish. In with a shout, but it's a long shot.

Portsmouth haven't hit top gear yet and IMO look the best equipped to be champions and have the best manager in the league. Barnsley/Sunderland for the 2nd spot.

:lol: Our defence is vunerable? We’ve conceded the fewest goals in the league ffs - only Peterborough have outscored us too (by 1 goal)
 
And we are only now playing a settled team.

Power, cattermole, watmore, Oviedo didn’t play yesterday.

Someone pointed out a month ago that we will have a squad that can cope better with injuries and suspensions.
Basically we could play two teams that could be promotion/championship contenders.

Yesterday's starting eleven

Mac
Matthews
James
Baldwin
Flan
Mcg
Honeyman
Gooch
McGeady
Maguire
Sinclair

Or

Ruiter
Love
Ovideo
Loov
Osturk
Watmore
Power
Cattermole
O'nein
Maja
Wyke

That's not forgetting Mumba, Robson, kimpioka and Hume who have all featured this season.

Then there is Stryejk, Embleton and Molyneaux out on temp loans.

Some squad that for the division.
 
:lol: Our defence is vunerable? We’ve conceded the fewest goals in the league ffs - only Peterborough have outscored us too (by 1 goal)
And Peterborough are apparently 'guaranteed' at least a playoff place according to the OP, despite only winning 3 of their last 9 (including a failure to beat 10 men Sunderland) and have conceded almost twice as many goals as Sunderland - and more than anybody else in the top 14 bar Doncaster.
 
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