Sunderland travel to Preston North End in the Sky Bet Championship Last time out Sunderland lost at to Ipswich and Preston won at Hull. This weekend's game sees Simon Grayson return to his former club and though Alex Neil admits there will be an added spice to the game, he insists his players will be focused on the job in hand and that's getting another three points on the board. There are plenty of familiar faces in the Black Cats camp, including last year's player of the year Aiden McGeady and defenders Tyias Browning & Billy Jones but Neil feels that as a player, competing against a former manager and teammates would give him and added incentive to perform and hopes that is the case for his players this weekend. Simon Grayson: "I was not part of anything that has happened at this football club from coming in the door. What I have been part of has happened since then and I have been trying to change the mentality of the training ground and the people that work here, the players, the supporters and there is a lot of frustration built up over a number of years. But what we can effect is the future." "Results like this will bring people out the woodwork who are moaning and complaining and have probably never been to Ipswich on a Tuesday night or not really been up and down the country. On the other side there is a lot of supporters who have done and have a right to voice an opinion but we have got to be positive in our approach in everything we are looking to do." “Steele was not to blame for any of the goals. What is to say Robbin Ruiter would not have conceded them goals? The portion of the blame goes to the outfield players who did not stop the opportunities.” “Willo will be out, he has been suffering with a bit of a groin injury over the last 10 days or so. He will be one of the only ones unavailable on Saturday.” Alex Neil: "I think we've just got to be careful we don't play the situation rather than the game. The occasion is going to be probably a bit of mixed emotions for people because obviously Simon's coming back for the first time, they will want us obviously to win but they will probably have good feelings towards Simon because he obviously did a good job here which is understandable.” "A bit of heart always helps but making sure you're calm, composed and focused is going to be the key because I think Sunderland will expect a reaction after the defeat at Ipswich so it's going to be a difficult game but we've got to make sure that we keep our levels where they have been.” "I think it's a difficult job for anyone to take on and Simon [Grayson] has taken it on. I've said this before about certain things that there are some issues that you've got at clubs that take longer to resolve and I think at the moment Simon is probably suffering for that at Sunderland." Match facts: The Lilywhites have won their last four matches against Sunderland in all competitions, though this is the first meeting since an FA Cup win in January 2007. Sunderland have lost five of their last seven league trips to Deepdale (one win, one draw) with their only win in this time coming in August 2003. This will be Simon Grayson's first match against Preston since he departed them at the end of last season - his last game against them was as Huddersfield boss in August 2012, a game they lost 2-0 in the League Cup. Preston have shipped just one goal in their five home league games this season (three wins, two draws), in a 1-1 draw with Barnsley. Tom Barkhuizen has had a hand in five of Preston's last nine goals in the Championship (two goals, three assists). Sunderland haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 13 games in league competition, shipping 28 goals since a 2-0 win at Hull in May. Sports Analytics Machine – Home win Prutton predicts: 0-2 (I think he meant 2-0) Form: Referee: CHRIS KAVANAGH Assistants: Peter Kirkup and Neil Davies Fourth official: Martin Coy Team Line ups Sunderland Subs from: Steele, Galloway, Gibson, O’Shea, Gooch, Asoro, Watmore Doubtful McManaman, Wilson Injured McNair (knee, Oct), Maja (knee, Sep), Grabban (hamstring, Oct), Williams (Oct) Preston North End Maxwell, Fisher, Earl, Huntington, Davies, Welsh, Maguire, Johnson, Browne, Barkhuizen, Hugill Subs from Hudson, Spurr, Woods, Harrop , Horgan, Mavididi, Robinson Injured Gallagher, Pearson, Clarke, Cunningham, Rudd Betting Odds: H 17/20 A 16/5 D 13/5 My two pence: I’ll be looking out for live updates from those at the game - mentioning no names Well at least Preston don’t have any of our old players to score against us – Alan Brown(e) surely not. It’s about time we had some of our players do the business when returning to their old clubs. I’m half expecting another defeat but it’s usually times like these that we pull out a surprise win. No, back to reality 3-1 Preston Ha’way the Lads
I'm predicting that Jones is going to win us this game. He'll be banging them in from all over the pitch, left foot, right foot, front of his head, back of his head and both sides, flick ons from both testes and to cap it off he's going to chip the keeper with a scorpion kick from defending a corner.
Will do, the wife's going out tonight so I'll have to resort to knocking on random doors and hoping for the best.
Can't see anything other than a repeat of Ipswich unfortunately. If the players want Grayson to remain they need to show it tomorrow. Team wise I'd be torn on whether to pack the midfield or go a little more attacking with Mcmanaman Williams and Mcgeady behind Vaughan. Ruiter has to come in. Wilson is injured and I'd leave Cattermole out and bring Ndong back in and Honeyman. They'd give us the legs and energy to play an attacking front line. Need to keep it simple and tight at the back, try and work the ball wide to our creative players and get Williams high up to support Vaughan ---------------------Ruiter-------------------- Matthews-Kone-Browning-Oviedo -------------Ndong--Honeyman--------- Mcmanaman-Williams-McGeady --------------------Vaughan-----------------
Safe journey to those traveling, odd game to call, personally don't want us to be the club that gets him potted, Jones will get a good reception, McGeady should do and Browning nobody will care. Grayson good will before and after the game but none during the match
Sadly, I don't see our lot turning tuesday's shambles around. If he starts with 3 or 5 at the back again he needs a ****ing slap
Breaks my heart but i cannot see anything else other than a drubbing for us we will get well tubbed, just hope its not an embarrassment as i have had plenty lately, comone you shower of ****e fess up and gerrin to em
I was there to see us beat the mighty Carlisle in the Cuckoo cup and I'm going tomorrow so maybe I'm a bit of a lucky charm, here's hoping.
I was thinking a few more of him could help sort out our goal difference. Plus he might want a few weekends off..
