Each week before every Sunderland game, you along with a few representatives from Read Sunderland will decide who they would choose to grace the pitch for the Black Cats and why.
Think yours is better than any of ours? Tweet @ReadSunderland your XI in the days leading up to the next game and you might be the first to be picked to have your say on Read Sunderland. Below is Read Sunderland’s XI vs Tottenham Hotspur for this Sunday’s premier league clash.
Alex Finch (4-3-3) Pantilimon, Jones, O’Shea, Kaboul, Van Aanholt, Cattermole, M’Vila, Rodwell, Lens, Defoe, Borini.
I’ve gone with the same back five that faced Aston Villa prior to the international break. My only change would have been Jones for Yedlin but the American’s loan agreement prevents him playing against his parent club.Despite the encouraging signs from Toivonen against Villa, Sunderland has been suspect at the back to say the least this season. Therefore starting with defence minded Cattermole instead of the more offensive Toivonen would allow Sunderland to be more capable in coping against Tottenham’s range of dangerous attacking talent.
The inclusion of former fan’s favourite, Fabio Borini, was a no-brainer for me. Although he may be lacking in match fitness, seeing him back at the Stadium of Light will lift the atmosphere prior to the game. If you add to this the passion and drive he brings to the side, this will help to provide cover for struggling Billy Jones whilst finalizing what looks a very strong front three.
Chris Sparks (4-3-3) Pantilimon, Jones, O’Shea, Kaboul, Van Aanholt, Rodwell, M’Vila, Toivonen, Lens, Defoe, Borini.
I can see Advocaat making two changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Aston Villa before the international break. I feel Lee Cattermole would benefit from a brief spell on the sidelines, the midfielder has completely lost what he is about this season and has given away two needless penalties already. Ola Toivonen impressed as a second-half substitute for Cattermole last time out and hopefully the Swede can produce from the start if he is fit enough.
Fabio Borini will hopefully be given a second Sunderland debut on Sunday, with the Italian offering the Black Cats a natural left sided attacking solution. This will also benefit Jermain Defoe who has proven over the years he is a natural centre-forward.
Ryan Groves (4-3-3) Pantilimon, Jones, O’Shea, Kaboul, Van Aanholt, M’Vila, Rodwell, Toivonen, Lens, Borini, Defoe.
Following the international break the Sunderland squad should be refreshed and ready to rectify their poor form so far in the league. The break should have also allowed the newer members of the squad to settle into life on Wearside, and thus new boys Fabio Borini and Ola Toivonen can expect to start on Sunday. With Yedlin ineligible and Matthews on the injury table, the back four remains unchanged with the established number 1 between the sticks.
Lee Cattermole’s dismal start to the season hasn’t gone unnoticed and as such Jack Rodwell should appear instead. Toivonen’s guile and quality will be necessary to break down a solid Spurs defence and an attacking line of Borini Lens and Defoe has the potential to ignite an often laboured Sunderland side. Whilst a target man may better suit Dick Advocaat’s system, Danny Graham and Steven Fletcher’s input this season surely cannot warrant a starting berth ahead of either of the other attackers.
Here are some of your XI’s…
https://twitter.com/Funkyphallus/status/641316535311695872
https://twitter.com/CattsCyanBoots/status/641315672849580036
