St Mirren v Sunderland - Saturday 21st July - KO 15:00 please log in to view this image Jack Ross will return to St Mirren on Saturday, as Sunderland face their penultimate pre-season test. The Lads manager spent just over 18 months at the Paisley 2021 Stadium, guiding the Buddies from top to bottom as they romped to the title during the 2017-18 season. Ross transformed the club's fortunes and was linked with a plethora of Football League clubs, but the Black Cats secured his services and he’s wasted no time shaping his squad. Six summer signings are already through the door and most of them are expected to feature on Saturday, with Jon McLaughlin and Alim Ozturk expected to return. Reece James will miss out, though, with Ross ruling the left-back out of action for ‘a couple of weeks’. The Lads produced their best performance so far on Tuesday evening, as the Scot saw his side get the better of Grimsby Town and pick up a first win. Lynden Gooch scored the only goal of the game at Blundell Park, connecting with a sumptuous Chris Maguire cross as the Lads’ attacking players took centre stage. St Mirren, meanwhile, have already began their Betfair Cup campaign. The Buddies have secured two wins from two competitive outings, defeating Kilmarnock and Spartans, with both victories coming via penalties. Former Sunderland defender Alan Stubbs replaced Ross at the helm, returning to management for the first time since October 2016. It'll be an interesting contest tomorrow as Saints come up against a side that are favourites to win their league next season. Kyle Magennis, Gary Mackenzie and Jordan Kirkpatrick remain out for Saints, and along with building fitness, it will allow Alan Stubbs to take a closer look at some of his squad before the league season begins in two weeks. Jack Ross: “I’m really pleased for the players,” said the boss after overseeing his first win. We need to develop a winning mentality and get used to winning games, as well as enjoying them, so I’m pleased that they got that reward.” “What they’ve given me in training has been terrific, as has their response to what we’ve asked them to do. In each game we’ve played we’ve got better, but I keep saying it, there's still loads of things that we need to get better at." “The players will also get a greater understanding of how I want them to play, but they’re getting there, and I think we deserved to win the game. If we can keep improving our performance levels in these games, it’s probably been perfect in terms of what you want from pre-season.” FOLLOW THE ACTION Tickets can be purchased directly from the ticket office from 10am on Saturday, subject to availability. Supporters wishing to purchase in advance can do so via St Mirren by calling 0141 889 2558. Tickets are priced at £12 for adults and £6 for over-65s, under-18s and full-time students with a valid ID. St Mirren will be opening their hospitality suite in the main stand for Sunderland fans to use from 12noon until 2.30, and then for an hour after the game. BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes will be broadcasting live right here on safc.com from 2.45pm. As ever, there will be comprehensive coverage across our digital channels including safc.com’s matchday blog and live updates on Twitter via @SunderlandAFC.
You've been improving in your games though St Mirren are probably a touch better than others you've played so far. Tight match, it's all about getting used to the system and each other whilst building up match fitness. That guy above needs a haircut though.
Team news: Reece James has been ruled out of action for ‘a couple of weeks’ due the reocurrence of a groin injury, whilst Aiden McGeady remains some weeks away from competitive action. Jon McLaughlin, Alim Ozturk and Lee Cattermole all missed the trip to Blundell Park, but Ross expects the trio to be available for today’s game at the Simple Digital Arena. There are likely to be one or two other players rested and, as Stewart Donald revealed earlier this week in the Roker Report Podcast. https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/20...ystery-trialists-amongst-the-team-that-starts Edit - no trialists then. Ethan Robson is out due to a groin injury picked up at Grimsby. Loovens is not in the squad.
I don't like the sound of this Reece James. Signed him knowing he's injury prone and lo and behold he's injured before the season kicks off. Maybe this will be the last one he'll ever have and he'll have a glorious career with us but I doubt it. Hopefully some of the younglings can step up, such as Hume who looks decent from what I've seen.
How about NO trialists then, he's gone for an experienced starting 11. please log in to view this image
I suspect that if the season started now this is the team he'd pick. Only so much ****ing about he'll want to do against his old club.
Yeah - I suppose it is a bit early to throw Loovens into the squad but I hope Ozturk plays a bit better than he did on his debut.
It's a decent side which I think will do ok in League 1. Good enough to walk the league? Not convinced it is to be honest but hope to be surprised. Subs bench is untested and there's going to be a reliance on that, Watmore coming back could/should be huge - if his injuries are behind him.
Aye well he may or may not be a dud but he'll need some time to settle. I don't rate that side very much on paper although I haven't seen a lot of them yet, I certainly wouldn't expect them to walk the league. However I think that we're going to be spending money now that we've snapped up the freebies and that should add quality above what's in that team today.
SD's still hoping to get 6-7 players in though. Can't remember who we've still got benched or injured.
I think that's his first - you might be confusing him with Kimpioka - our new Swedish whiz-kid Maja was red hot last pre-season but then got an injury and seemed to take an age to recover from it.
hopefully this will give us something to build on against boro, glad that we're looking to bring in more players, but its gonna be a while until we have a settled squad. This has got to be our best starting 11 though surely. Hopefully Loovens will fit in well, not convinced about flanagan at CB
