Bolton Wanderers host Sunderland in the Sky Bet Championship Last time out Sunderland lost at home to Brentford and Bolton lost at QPR. Tuesday's game at fellow Championship strugglers Bolton Wanderers is Sunderland's "game of the season", says manager Chris Coleman. The Wearsiders were beaten 2-0 by Brentford on Saturday - their 16th defeat in 32 league games this season - to stay three points adrift of safety. Bolton are three places above the Black Cats and four points clear of the drop. Coincidentally, Sunderland's corresponding fixture against Bolton in October 2017 was the final game under Coleman's predecessor Simon Grayson. Chris Coleman: "There is a lack of cohesion and confidence, and there are nerves. It's not the time of the season to have that problem and we can't afford that. Tuesday's game is the game of the season for us. It'll be a big test." "It's painful for everyone, we're all suffering, it's been the same theme - especially at the Stadium of Light where wins have been precious.” “There is no place for shrinking violets. If you can't cope, don't pretend that you can. It's only the strong who give you a chance of fighting when you're in the position we're in." Phil Parkinson: “There are three points at stake and that's the most important thing. Both us and Sunderland got beat today too, so we're in the same positions more or less.” “All we can do is concentrate on the process and hopefully the outcome will take care of itself.” Form: Match facts: Bolton are winless in their last five home matches against the Black Cats (D2 L3) in all competitions, since winning 2-0 in the Premier League in May 2008. Sunderland and Bolton have never shared two league draws within the same season, despite facing in 66 previous league seasons stretching back to 1890/91. Mark Little was sent off for Bolton last weekend versus QPR - the Trotters last picked up a red card in consecutive league games back in the Premier League in December 2011. Chris Coleman has lost each of his last four visits to the Macron Stadium, only managing one win there during his managerial career - a 2-0 win for Fulham on the final day of the 2003/04 Premier League season. Sports Analytics Machine meh Prutton predicts: 2-0 Match Appointments: Referee: DAVID COOTE Assistants: Nick Hopton and Paul Hodskinson Fourth Official: Darren Bond Team Line ups Sunderland: Substitutes: Steele, Browning, Love, Cattermole, Honeyman, Maja, McManaman Injured Watmore (Cruciate – out for season), Ruiter (Dislocated finger 6-10 weeks), Gibson (Groin 6 weeks), Wilson (Knee 1 week) Bolton Wanderers: Alnwick, Burke, Wheater, Beevers, Derik, Morais, Henry, Wela, Robinson, Walker, Ameobi Subs from: Taylor, Dervite, Karacan, Le Fondre, Howard, Clough Suspended: Little Betting Odds: H 11/8 A 9/4 D 2/1 My two pence: A must not lose game, and unfortunately we just can’t defend so we need to try and go for it. Coleman, like the last 4-5 managers, is struggling to get any consistency from the experienced players. After starting with a weird looking 442 against Brentford I’m not sure how we will line up, but CC hinted at a number of changes for this game and I reckon that he will revert back to a more defensive 541. My guess is a 2-2 draw. Ha’way the Lads
Lamine Kone and Paddy McNair are in contention to face Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night (KO 8pm). McNair, 22, hasn’t featured since a 1-0 defeat to Barnsley on New Year’s Day, but he came through two under-23 games unscathed and bolsters Chris Coleman’s midfield options. Likewise, Kone has an important role to play between now and the end of the campaign, with a ‘late decision’ set to made over Ovie Ejaria after the on-loan Liverpool man missed Saturday’s defeat. Marc Wilson and Kazenga LuaLua will definitely miss the game, though, with Coleman providing the latest news at his pre-match press conference on Monday morning. “Kaz got a kick on his ankle on Friday, and his ankle had been a problem even before then,” said the Sunderland boss. “Marc Wilson is a no, but obviously Jonny Williams came on as a sub at the weekend and Callum McManaman was also in the squad so they are fine.” He continued: “Paddy McNair is back, Lamine Kone is back, and they are both available to start. “Ovie is training this morning [Monday]. He joined with a bit of a problem but he’s getting through it. “I’m sure he’ll get through the session today but it is the reaction we have to wait for. “That’s not me playing games, I genuinely can’t say if he’s going to be ready until he wakes up in the morning.”
Tomorrow night is huge. Barnsley play at home to Burton and will probably win so a loss for Sunderland would mean: Bolton 33 Barnsley31 Birmingham 30 (1 game in hand) Hull 29 (2 games in hand) Sunderland26 Burton26 Without factoring in Hull and Birmingham results it's a 4 point gap. Realistically probably more. Need a result, getting to the cusp of actual 'must win' games. Barnsley play Bolton, Hull and Birmingham next so teams there are going to be picking up points.
If someone can find Kone's on switch and he can successfully partner either Browning or Salter Clarke, that could be a season changer for us potentially. I remember him being average for a while after we signed him, but towards the end of the season he really ramped up his performances. Whatever the reason for that was, we know that he's capable of being a premier league quality player. Coleman says he's been injured and maybe he has, and when fit he could be a valuable player and help us to stop leaking goals.
Coleman has pretty much said he'll be reverting back to 5-3-2 and after the players **** show on Saturday can you really blame him. Given that I'd like to see ------------------------Camp---------------------- ------Browning----Kone---ClarkeSalter---- Matthews---------------------------------Oviedo ----------------McNair-Honeyman----------- -----------Asoro-----Maja-----McGeady------- Hope he leaves Oshea Cattermole and Jones at home!
Hopefully Maja and Asoro up front. Fletcher was disinterested and completely lacklustre on Saturday. Picked up a stupid booking,then looked like he was trying to get sent off before being subbed. He can't play againt Boro anyway,so might as well let the 2 young lads have a go at it
Just go there to win...get in their faces and don't sit back. Go balls for glory over 90 mins, We have the players to do it....faint hearts win f*ck all...all about the mindset now. This is Sunderland so going for the away win....just remember Gus's we need a miracle after the Spurs game. F*ck Bolton....still only a few points from safety............haway the lads!!!!!
Sit them in front of a tv screen and make them watch Wigan from last night to see how a fully committed team performs.
Out of interest did he win any headers? I assumed that was why we got him but he didn't on his debut.
This is the one where it just all clicks. No rhyme or reason. No one will be able to figure why. It just will. 4-0 win. I am truly KTF - at least until kickoff anyway
I think it's his timing that's off and I doubt that'll improve much in the short term, you've either got it or you ain't. Trust us to sign a tall forward who can't head the ball.
I haven't seen him win a header yet Nacho. The guy sat next to me on Saturday has a mate who is a Boro fan and he told him that he's never seen Fletcher win a header either. For a guy who's supposed to be 6ft 5ins, he's useless in the air and week as pi55, rarely wins a challenge of any sort.
I saw him play two or three times for West Ham. He looked good then. And won headers. Why he can't do it for us is anyone's guess.
Maybe a bit of rustiness but he'll have to shake that off fast if he's going to be any use. I like the idea of playing Maja and Asoro together because they've got an understanding, may as well go back to that if Fletcher isn't going to provide a physical presence.
Give our own a chance every time. Asoro has got stronger with a run of games, Maja will do the same, and Honeyman was our mom on Saturday. For me we should only play these loanees if they hit the ground running. Fletch has only hit the ground so far, so for me put him on the bench and get Josh in.
