Sunday will witness the first piece of silverware up for grabs this calendar year. The Capital One Cup does not rate highly amongst most Premier League managers, or me, however the competing teams are situated in the top tier of English football.
The Capital One Cup will provide an escape for the Wearside club from the tense, energy-sapping relegation battle. Battling for their lives, a win in the Capital One Cup will bring a bit of elation to a very frustrating season for the Sunderland fans.
Route to the Final
A 2-0 victory over Peterborough kicked off the tournament, but harder tests were to come. The 1st of 4 Premier League battles commenced in the 4th round. Southampton lay await, but an 86th minute winner from Seb Larsson sent the Saints packing with their tails between their legs. Mourinho's Chelsea were the next opponents. A late 88th minute equaliser from Liverpool loanee Fabio Borini, secured extra time, before Ki popped up to provide the winner and evade the tense penalty shootout. The semi final saw The Black Cats heap more misery upon David Moyes and it took a penalty shootout to secure a trip to Wembley. The quarter, semi and possibly even the match against Southampton, will give Sunderland the confidence that they can compete with the 'giants'.
On paper, this seems a very one sided affair, but not many matches are won on paper. Sunderland are battling for their lives at the foot of the table while Manchester City are flying high in third place, challenging for the title with a game in hand on the others. I am under no doubt that the FA. Cup Final of last year will be in the back of the City minds and they will be out to rectify this, even if the Cup is not a main priority. As for Sunderland, they have never won the competition, but did reach the final in 1985.
Can they Stun the Blue Side of Manchester?
Honestly, I think they have a chance. The motto of 'anything can happen in the cup' or 'form goes out the window' ring loud in my ears, particularly after the escapades of Bradford in the trophy last year. However, the thought of a domestic treble for City - and possibly even a Champions League - will encourage them to try and win this trophy. In my opinion, it will not be a one sided affair, Sunderland will have more chances than most people think, but whether they convert them will be the difference between lifting the trophy and going home empty handed. In order to seize the victory, Gus Poyet will need to be tactically astute as well as disciplined. Sitting back and absorbing pressure will not work due to the attacking prowess of the Citizens. If the Black Cats have this as their gameplan, then the potent striking threat of City will eventually unlock their defence. An early goal would be ideal as it would rattle City and a high pressure game will put them on the back foot.
On the outside, both teams will pretend not to care about the competition, but deep down, they will be itching for that elusive victory and the trophy to add to the cabinet. This will make it twice as hard for a plucky Sunderland side, who will have to bring their A-game. If Sunderland do defy the odds, the triumph will give them much needed confidence and will bode well as we approach the climax of what has been an action-packed campaign.
All we can do now, is sit back, relax and watch another frantic Wembley episode unfold.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for reading! I'd like to hear your thoughts on what you have read...