Sunderland v Lincoln City Papa John's Trophy semi-final: Team news as fans react to Lee Johnson changes

Lee Johnson has made two changes to his Sunderland side for tonight’s Papa John’s Trophy semi-final against Lincoln – and fans have been quick to react on social media.
Sunderland boss Lee Johnson.Sunderland boss Lee Johnson.
Sunderland boss Lee Johnson.

The Black Cats beat Doncaster 4-1 last time out but will be without defender Dion Sanderson who is cup tied.

Conor McLaughlin has also dropped out of the starting XI, with Grant Leadbitter and 19-year-old Dan Neil coming into the side.

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That will mean a reshuffle in defence and midfield, with Luke O’Nien likely to move to centre-back and Max Power to right-back.

The changes left some supporters confused about the formation, yet many were happy to see Neil get the nod.

Here are some of the responses to the team news:

@Caltermole: Want to win tonight, but on the flipside if Wyke or McGeady get injured I'll be seething that he's played them in the pizza cup

@ConnorM1702: Neil deserves to be in the side. Key in getting us here tonight could get him league minutes should it go well

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@RoyOfTheRokers: O'Nien centre-half? Positive to see Dan Neil replace him in midfield.

@samthubron3: Very confused with formation.

@2JackScott: Can someone explain what the formation is and who’s going where?

@davis0688: I know it was in a back 3 but McLaughlin didn't look bad centrally earlier in the season. He’d do a better job than O’Nien in there and then we could get O’Nien in midfield

@JamesBovill1: I had hoped we’d play one of the youth players in at the back (Oliver Younger is it?) rather than square pegs in round holes. Other than that I’m happy it’s 433 and Neil is starting

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@declanprice02: Quite like it. I’d rather for this game Maguire and Jones for McGeady and Gooch

@cameronflaws: Surely it would have been better to play a natural defender in Almond rather than have O'Nien in defence

@GarethBarkerWMS: Strongest XI you could pick really

@safcianpeterlee: Eight of tonight's line up started the game we hammered them 4-0. Fingers crossed we can do it again

@ConnorM1702: Neil deserves to be in the side. Key in getting us here tonight could get him league minutes should it go well