Who will go down? Hull City or Newcastle United?

Its the last day of the Premier League tomorrow and with most things sorted out near the top of the table, the focus turns to relegation.

It's two down, and one of the remaining two to go. So who will it be? Is your money in Hull City to stay up by beating Man Utd at home? Or do you think that Newcastle United can match Hull's result and stay up?

Current form would suggest that both teams lose, which would be good enough for Newcastle.

With last week's home draw with Arsenal, Manchester United will finish fourth, so they don't have a great deal to play for. I think that Fellaini's mid-season form has tailed off and LVG's reliance on Falcao and Van Persie up front leaves a forward line without pace. I've got a feeling that Hull will make a game of this, defend as if their lives depended in it and may sneak a win from a set-piece goal.

I'm not really that sure about the commitment of Sam Allardyce or a West Ham at the moment. Reports suggest that Big Sam will be out of a job by Monday and that some if the first team haven't trained this week. I think that after a rough time by Newcastle's fans and owner when he was on charge, it would please Sam to put one over the Toon and help out his mate Steve Bruce in the process.

I'm going for a Newcastle win here, because I think that West Ham have given up this season and injuries have left then with a threadbare defence.

If the scenarios above play out as I've predicted then it will be Hull City back in the Championship and Newcastle United to survive and start the rebuilding that sorely needs to happen.

My hopes for Sunderland's team next season

Assuming that we keep the same formation that we've played for the last two seasons (4-5-1 when defending, 4-3-3 when attacking) then this is the team I'd like to see us put together for the start of next season-

Pantillimon

NEW Right Back

Van Aanholt

NEW Centre Back

NEW Centre Back

Cattermole

Larsson

Rodwell

Defoe

Giaccherini or Adam Johnson

NEW Attacking Left Midfielder

In terms of the changes, some are players I don't see as having a future with the club and others are players that I only see as back up to the first team. For instance - Billy Jones and Steven Fletcher fit into the second category, Wes Brown and Connor Whickham fit into the first.

There is still the fact that the club haven't found a manager yet, but I believe that Lee Congerton should be looking at sounding out targets and getting the obvious gaps in out squad filled. Dick Advocaat reported to Congerton, Byrne and Short that the squad needs quality first team players, and I'd look at the following solutions-

Steven Caulker from QPR as a ball-winning centre half. He's a threat from attacking corners and has more pace than O'Shea or Brown.

Sebastian Coates from Liverpool as his central defensive partner. I think we saw enough from Coates during the run in to think that he can do a respectable job for us, on the basis that the transfer fee and wage demands aren't too high.

OR

Johnny Evans who has been told he's surplus to requirements at Man Utd. He's got form for Sunderland and would complement a Caulker-type centre back well.

Leroy Fer from QPR was one of the very few bright spots in their season and I think he's a quality player with Premier League experience at two clubs (although with 2 relegations under his belt.) He could play in one of the wide roles or in central midfield and scores a few as well.

Kieran Trippier looked solid defensively and reasonable going forward for Burnley last season. If the bookies are correct and Sean Dyche becomes manager then maybe he could persuade Trippier to come to us. I think he's better than Billy Jones, although Jones did end the season well and I'd keep him in the squad.

I've made the attacking right midfielder role in my team as shared between Giaccherini and Adam Johnson as I think Johnson may miss some of the season and Giaccherini's injury record is atrocious.

Any additions to this wish list would be in a loan basis from one of the big clubs. I'd live to take Patrick Bamford from Chelsea, Danny Wellbeck from Arsenal and either Adnan Januzaj or James Wilson from Manchester United. 

Sunderland v Southampton

I went to the match in Saturday, and I thought us wait a few days for the relative euphoria to die down before giving an honest assessment of how I thought it went and what I think it means for the rest of the season.

The build up

I wasn't going to go. I'd looked at the idea earlier in the week and decided against it. Then in Friday night I started to think that perhaps I wouldn't have many opportunities to see us in the Premier League for a while and perhaps I should go. I looked on Stub Hub and there was a ticket for a good seat - 15 rows back, half way line opposite the dugouts - for only £13. I'll have it. Still slept in it and waited until Saturday morning to buy.

There were problems on the Metro so it seemed to take forever to get there, but there was a positive atmosphere in and around the stadium. Collected my ticket, bought a programme, had a wee, got a cup of tea and now I'm ready for the contest to begin.

Danny Graham is starting, Coated preferred to Vergini and Johnson back on the bench.

The match

Overall I think we were second best. I've watched us too many times this season where we stand off the opposition and give them time to pick a pass in our own half. The best defensive display I've seen this season is where we got into the faces of Chelsea - one of only two teams this season so far to have kept a clean sheet against them. I know it takes a lot of effort and concentration to produce a display like that week after week. And we probably need a bigger and deeper squad than we have to produce it. It worried me on Saturday 11 v 11 and even worried me after the sending off. It's all well and good having a set, structured "two lines of four" to prepare for the oncoming attack, but unless there is some pressure on the ball, this tactic will fail.

The effort levels looked much better than in previous games this season - and better than our rivals in black and white up the road.

Seb Larsson showed he's a class act and seems to care about the club. His effort and enthusiasm is contagious and he always seems to get the best out of his midfield colleagues. Danny Graham ran his heart out for the cause and was rewarded with a whack in the face, the penalty award and man of the match. The enigma that is Connor Whickham continues. If it wasn't for a fan about 10 rows to the right of me keeping him in check, he probably wouldn't have tracked Nathaniel Clyne back as much as he should. He can run with the ball and beat men regularly but when he gets to the edge of the box and needs to make a decision he falters.

The run-in

The question is "can we stay up?"

I think that the answer is "no." But I'm not worried. There seems to be a core of players at the club that don't care about the club and are only in it for the money. Relegation will, hopefully, clear these out of the club and we can start afresh, a little like the way Southampton have done.

My thoughts on voting for PFA team of the year

It's voting time for the Premier League, as the players decide in their team if the year, player of the year and young player of the year. Here's my votes-

Goalkeeper - David De Gea

Has rescued Man Utd on many occasions this season and is largely responsible for what now looks like a return to the Champions League.

Right back - Branislav Ivanovic

He defends exceptionally well, is one of the teams leaders and scores some vital goals. He has been at the top of his game for year after year.

Left back - Aaron Cresswell

The top clubs haven't had enough consistency at left back through rotation or injury. I've gone for Cresswell over Ryan Bertrand because he feels like a better defender and better fit for his team. Is reportedly being eyed up by bigger clubs, and this shows he's has a great season.

Centre back - John Terry

As much as I dislike this guy, he's had another great season. Fits well with Mourinho and leads in the manner required by his boss. Played every game so far and scored a few goals as well.

Centre back - Laurent Koscielny

Played well through the season and really, really well since the turn if the year. Wenger adding a defensive midfielder has left Arsenal's back four looking as good as any in the league.

Right midfielder -Alexis Sanchez

As the PFA sets out the team in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, I've gone for Sanchez. His form at the start if the season was electric and he has inspired them to 7 wins in the bounce recently.

Centre midfielder - Jordan Henderson

He has stepped into Steven Gerrard's role as leader with aplomb. His energy and passing make him a top player for club and country.

Centre midfielder - Cesc Fabregas

There has been criticism of his form in the second half of the season, but his influence in the game, chances created and assists show that he's a top talent, and the driving creative force for Chelsea alongside my next choice-

Left midfielder - Eden Hazard

This player will show himself to be at the top table of world football as time goes on. He takes players on for fun and lifts the whe team and the fans. Scores many winning goals, so steps up when he's needed most. My selection for player of the year.

Striker - Harry Kane

One season wonder? Who cares? This season has been magnificent for Kane - goals galore, England debut, first England goal and surely the young player of the year winner.

Striker - Diego Costa

Another off the Mourinho-annoying-player production line. Works his opponents all game so they have to concentrate for every second. He went on a great scoring run at the start of the season and injuries have hampered the second half if the season but a constant danger.

Dick Advocaat - firefighter or costly mistake?

Sunderland have replaced their young coach Gus Poyet who masterminded last season's great escape, not to mention the cup final. The replacement? Dick Advocaat, who is described as a firefighter to ensure the club's safety and has joined in a contract to the end of the season.

With no track record in English football, it reminds me of Fulham's ill-fated move for Felix Magath last season. Magath was also labelled a firefighter and came with the reputation of a man that had never been relegated.

On the us side, I read that Advocaat has a reputation of discipline and that's something that this current group of Sunderland  players sorely need. This set of players have seen off several managwrs over the last few years and have a reputation for drinking, late nights, poor training and a negative collective response to authority.

As a fan, this is the first time in my life where I'm not fearful of relegation for my team. I think that a drop into the Championship will see us shake off the players who don't care about the club and the fans. There appears to be a core of players that take their paycheck and offer the bare minimum in terms of effort and commitment. Poyet spoke about the times where the team and the fans fed off each other and inspired each other. This was evident in the cup run and the escape act last season but was lacking for almost all of this.

Hearing of players drinking into the night, poor training, being banned from pubs because of the trouble they cause, damaging propert, posing in front of new cars as the team go into freefall and attested over sexual contact with a minor only serve to infuriate the loyal following that expert wholehearted commitment and will be following the club years after these players have moved away.

After the Advocaat reign, whether we survive relegation or not, I'd look at taking Kevin Phillips from his coaching role at Leicester City. His standing with the fans and his obvious passion for the club will sit perfectly with the fans that have had to ensure the madness of Di Canio and the direct criticism from Poyet.  For me, he always showed a good understanding of the game and would be a great fit.

How can so many managers 'lose the dressing room?'

Its just after half time, on Saturday 14th March 2015 and Sunderland are 0-4 down at home to Aston Villa, who are in the bottom three. Gus Poyet lost the majority of the fans with an attack on them earlier in the year, and now appears to have list the dressing room.

Yet another Sunderland manager faces the sack after finding that the team don't buy into his ideas and don't seem remotely interested in the pitch. The club look destined for relegation to the Chsmpionship, again. I haven't forgotten that the situation 12 months ago was far, far worse and they survived but lightning won't strike twice.

It's the fact that the team don't appear to have bought into Poyet's philosophy, possibly brought about by following the philosophy all season and getting previous little out of it. The style of play that he wants to put forward is possession over everything else. If points were awarded for possession statistics then Sunderland would be safe already. The real issue here is the fact that, the season after the players revolted against Paolo Di Canio, the players are not performing for Gus Poyet. The effort and concentration levels have been dire, and this is summed up by the fact that Seb Larsson didn't arrive in the pitch until 3 minutes into the second half - farcical.

Rumours have circulated about a large number of the Sunderland squad that are heavy drinkers and poor trainers. Add to this the recent run ins with the law of Nicklas Bendtner, Titus Bramble, Connor Wickham and Adam Johnson and Poyet's comments last year about a rotten core at the club come into more focus-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2603755/Gus-Poyet-hints-rotten-core-Sunderland-boss-refuses-rule-leaving-Black-Cats.html

I'm not sure who would want the job, and anyone who takes it would probably want to conduct a complete overhaul of the playing squad to root out this rogue element. I can't think of many first team players that is want to keep, and Ellis Short will have to dig deep again to help the club start again.

There's something seriously wrong at Man Utd

I'm just watching the end of the Manchester United and Arsenal FA Cup tie and there's something really wrong about this club at the moment. I'm not one of these people that knocks Man Utd at any opportunity but I think that it's time to look objectively about how far this club has dropped in less than 2 seasons.

No Champions League this year and I'm really not sure that there will be any next year. The only competition left open to them this season is the league, and there is fierce competition for a top four finish. Liverpool, Arsenal, Southampton and Tottenham are all fighting for the places behind Chelsea and Man City. I'd put Arsenal and Liverpool at the front of the queue based in current form.

So where is it going wrong?

Well, I think that throwing money at the problem hasn't worked. A manager that can review the strengths and weaknesses of the current squad and review what they need. It's not Radamel Falcao, it's not another number 10, it's not more wingers in a formation that doesn't use wingers. The squad STILL needs an overhaul but most of it is related to who they need to ship out before they look at who to being in.

I'd keep-

De Gea

Valencia (but not at fullback)

Rojo

Blind

Fellaini

Carrick

Rooney

Di Maria

Van Persie

Mata

Herrera

Young

Shaw

And of get rid of-

Jones

Smalling

Rafael

Anderson

Evans

Januzaj

Falcao

For me, this leaves then needing both fullbacks and a new centre back. Another striker will help, but one with more movement than Falcao - he just doesn't seem interested.

I'm shocked about how far the club has fallen since Sir Alex Ferguson left and there's still so far to go to get back anywhere near that level again.