Sunderland host Reading in the Sky Bet Championship Last time out Sunderland won at Burton and Reading beat Barnsley. After winning on Saturday, Sunderland will want to put an end to the record run of games without a home win. Goal scorer James Vaughan is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season. Reading manager Jaap Stam could play an unchanged team from Tuesday night’s 3-0 home win against Barnsley. Ex Black Cats Vito Mannone and Paul McShane make their return to the Stadium of Light. Chris Coleman: "I was delighted with last weekend, but it has gone now. Last weekend was a six pointer, this weekend is too, and the week after. That is where we are, nothing to be afraid of. There is nothing to shy away from, you have to be excited about the challenge. This is another one to get right." “I've had an incredible welcome so far. I can't wait for my first home game as manager. "Although I can’t offer any promises to anyone, I can say that I’m fully committed, and ecstatic to be here. Everything I’ve got I’ll give to them.” "If they’re happy for me to be here, I promise you that it’s not half as happy as I am to be here. I know that it’s a huge challenge and I don’t want to let anyone down. Although it’s such a big club, it’s got such a family feel to it as well. In the two weeks that we’ve been here, me and Kit, we’ve already felt that.” "I want to do well for Sunderland. The very least they deserve is everything I’ve got." “Maja could play a part, but he won’t start or play for a long part of the game, Joel impressed at the weekend and will be involved. Bournemouth could recall Grabban – it’s in the contract, but there is no indication of that happening.” “I’m looking forward to Saturday immensely” Jaap Stam: “I’ve seen them play already, they play a bit differently to how the previous manager did over there. Sunderland like to play out from the back now as well, play a bit more possession from what we’ve seen against Burton.” “We expect them to do that as well, and it’s still a good team. It’s not easy for them in the Championship, but they still have a lot of quality in the squad.” “Chris Coleman is a very experienced manager, he did very well with Wales and he’s trying to find his way with Sunderland as well now to go higher up the table. “We’re aware of what the manager can do, but we’re also aware of what their team and players can do. With some of their players, we know them very well so we need to be sharp and fresh, which is very important on Saturday for us to get a good result.” Match facts: Sunderland first played Reading in a 1-1 draw at Roker Park in the FA Cup in 1973. (the rest is history) First league game was in the 2nd Division in 1986 when Reading drew 1-1 at Roker Park In total there have been 8 seasons shared by the clubs, of which Sunderland have had the best return by winning on 4 occasions to Reading’s 2 successes. Reading never lost a game at Roker Park (1 win and 3 draws incl. the FA Cup game) but have only won once at the Stadium of Light (1 win and 4 defeats). Reading have never kept a clean sheet at the Stadium of Light. Form: Sports Analytics Machine: Home win 47% Prutton predicts: 2-2 Referee: KEITH STROUD Assistants: Mark Dwyer and Philip Dermott Fourth Official: Eddie Ilderton Team Line ups Sunderland: Subs from: Steele, Wilson, Love, Gooch, Gibson, Maja, Asoro Suspended: Vaughan Injured Kone, Watmore, Williams, Jones, Rodwell Reading: Mannone, Bacuna, McShane, Moore, Gunter, van den Berg, Aluko, Edwards, Kelly, Barrow, Kermorgant Subs from: Beerens, Ilori, Clement, Bödvarsson, Blackett, Popa, Jaakkola Injured: Swift, Smith, McCleary, Evans, Mendes, Quinn, Harriott Betting Odds: H 5/4 A 9/4 D 9/4 My two pence: Chris Coleman in one game showed more passion than Moyes did in a whole season, the team needs to stay focussed on the next 3 points and finally put this home hoodoo to bed. I’m going for a 2-1 win Ha’way the Lads Vito – has had a tough time lately - he deserves a cheer.
He was seen running into the training ground yesterday but last week they said he was out for 2-3 weeks.
I think we will win this, in fact I’m utterly confident for the first time this season. I, for one, will be giving Vito a decent reception, was a good player and a good pro for us, and I’ll never forget him having me crying laughing taking the piss out of Giaccherini in Tesco. 2-1 the lads.
I'm not going but if I was I'd be doing the same, pretty sure he'll get one from the majority. What did he say about Giaccherini?
Nothing at all against Vito - will get applause from me too. He left for his reasons - he wasn't forced out by the club but he asked to leave because he felt his Sunderland time was up (I spoke to him personally about it when I was working down south and bumped into him randomly!!). That said - we'd certainly not be in the bottom 3 if he'd stayed! The keepers we have have cost us far more points than he would have. He'll get a decent reception - but I hope he loses tomorrow!!!
So, shortly after they both signed the club put them up in the Baltic Quay apartments where I lived at the time, I was just in Tesco late at night walk round the corner and there’s the 2 of them and their birds just casually shopping. I offered a handshake to Vito (a ****ing mountain of a man by the way) and he goes ‘I find Emanuel’ and starts looking around the place like a ships captain. Giaccherini was literally stood next to him he was just ripping him for his size, was funny as ****. Their birds didn’t look enamoured with Gateshead, it has to be said, ha.
Haven't posted in ages, but I feel the need to say this is the first time I've been excited thinking about an upcoming match in a long time - probably since Moyes 2nd game in charge!
Never thought I'd say this but I'd maybe start Gibson over Cattermole. With McNair and Honeyman slightly in front he can sit in front of the back 4 and try and pull the strings. Cattermole was horrific at Burton and Gibson actually came on and made a positive impact
I'll give all the players a clean sheet under Coleman and time to adapt, his style of football might be more suitable for different players than grayson's hoof ball style. Except for Rodwell, I reckon he'd be **** no matter what
Catts apparently! Don't like slagging any of them off. Though I'm no fan of O'Shea tbh. Haven't been for many a year!
