Coincidentally, while I have been pontificating about Sunderland’s midfield tactics in away games, there has been an injury crisis brewing at the club, which if Sunderland had been a London club would have hit the headlines much more than it has. This has been a constant bugbear over the years, a Capital-centric England sees the Tyne and Wear metropolitan area as being on a different planet sometimes, no wonder the NE clubs so rarely have players called up into England squads. More on that topic later, but for now that midfield is our focus.

David Meyler’s horrific injury on Sunday has put him out for up to a year – the knee is such a complex set of joints…we will miss the young Irishman’s energy and drive; all genuine fans wish him a speedy recovery. Lee Cattermole is out again, we also have Andy Reid as a long-term injury, and with Henderson potentially unfit for the game this weekend, the squad is looking a bit thin again. Cana, Malbranque, Richardson and Campbell will probably start against Wolves. It may seem like a nothing game, but after Stoke’s win at Fulham last night, we can still qualify for that 10th place, for the status as well as the extra Premiership prize money it brings.

The Premiership is made up of 3 mini-leagues. The top eight have all been scrambling for that coveted 4th spot and is currently made up of the two teams each from Liverpool and Manchester; Aston Villa and the three top London teams. Our mini-league consists of teams we now see as peers, Blackburn, Stoke, Fulham and the season’s surprise package, Birmingham. Alex Mc. Leish was previously linked with the Sunderland job and now we can all see why. Next year the Mackems need to win that league, if we are going to push on for Europa League qualification in the future.

But back to this weekend - if Bruce decides to shuffle the pack a bit, will this mean a much deserved first league start for Zenden? I hope so, after his sensational goal against Spurs, he deserves it…that memorable, high energy 3-1 win a month ago has now been put into its rightful context by Spurs’ win at Man. City last night, and their Champions’ League qualification.

©Lars J.S. Knutsen