Sunderland host Portsmouth in the League One play-off semi-final (first leg) Last time out Sunderland lost at Southend and Portsmouth drew with Accrington This two-legged affair will be the fourth and fifth times the Black Cats have met Pompey this year, with the pair having already faced-off twice in the regular season alongside their meeting at Wembley in the Checkatrade Trophy final. Sunderland have failed to win any of those meetings, leaving Pompey fans and some players with the belief that their side have a big psychological advantage ahead of the first clash between the duo on Saturday. Sunderland can still get to that Wembley final and still be promoted, all they have to do is turn up on Saturday night and give their best possible chance of going into that second game at Fratton Park with a big advantage. Jack Ross: “It was a reality check for some of us, individually and as a team, and a reminder of the levels we need to be at. We haven’t dipped below them all that often this season but today we were well below them and we were beaten by a hungrier team." "We have not gone into the play-offs on the back of a positive feeling because our performance at Southend was a long way short. We didn’t play well, not by a long stretch. It was a reality check for some of us, individually and as a team, and a reminder of the levels we need to be at." "You are always judged on the end result, and in the last few games we have either drawn them or lost them. The performance has been ok so that has been a bit more positive, but when the two go hand-in-hand (poor performance and poor result) I can be a lot more critical.” Kenny Jackett: "In terms of our game, I do think we’ve gone off our responsibilities a little bit. The lines have been blurred between who’s doing what and we have to get back to that." "I do think our full-backs have been high and wide and we’ve been open. Matt Clarke coming out as well has meant two of our back four have been up and around their box on a regular basis. If we’re doing all that and keeping clean sheets I’m fine, but we’re not." ‘It has to swing towards making sure our defenders can defend and keep clean sheets, our midfielders can compete and the ball runs through them, and then the front three get a good service to score and provide assists." Prutton predicts: meh Match Appointments: Referee: ANDY WOOLMER Assistants: James Mainwaring and Lee Venamore Fourth Official: Darren England Team Line ups Sunderland: McLaughlan, O’Nien, Dunne, Ozturk, Oviedo, McGeouch, Cattermole, McGeady, Maguire, Morgan, Wyke Subs: Ruiter, Baldwin, Hume, Honeyman, Power, Sterling, Grigg Injured: Love, Watmore Portsmouth (4-2-3-1): MacGillivray; Walkes, Burgess, Clarke, Brown; Naylor, Close; Evans (c), Curtis, Solomon-Otabor; Hawkins Subs: Bass, Thompson, Haunstrup, Vaughan, Morris, Bogle Injured: tbc Betting Odds: Home 23/20 Away 9/4 Draw 23/10 My two pence: We certainly don’t believe in taking the easy route, so here we are with two games against Portsmouth and the prospect of a Wembley final against our old friends Charlton Athletic. After a disappointing performance and result at Roots Hall it’s time for the players to step up and take control of their own destiny. We need to beat this lot once and for all. My guess is a 2-1 home win Ha’way the Lads Sadly football is not top of my priorities this week RIP Dad
Thank you for taking the time and effort for such a good post amid the family grief, and my sympathy for your loss.
Thanks for another excellent match preview RTB. I think that lineup is probably one of the best we can put out at the moment. My sympathy to you and your family at this sad time.
Thanks again RTB and sorry for your loss. Is it just me but has our decline in results recently and the inclusion of Ozturk been a complete coincidence. How many goals have we conceded from crosses in the past five games? Bring back Baldwin and Flanagan for the play off fixtures.
Cannot see us getting to Wembley as our current form is GASH!! Think the best we can in the home leg is draw, and we must not lose!! Got a hunch it’ll be 0-0, then all to play for down there. But it will end in tears. I actually think JR has lost the dressing room a bit - hope I’m proved wrong. Bart.
This is way I look at the play offs. All positive and excitement....would have snatched hand off to get in this position at the start of the season. If we go into the game with a woe is me attitude or they're better than us we will get f*cked. Three games now for promotion and all to play for. Said many times faint hearts win f*ck all. All the talk this season of how good a squad we have etc counts for nothing if we can't get the business done now. The players have had unbelievable support this season, huge support off the field by the new owners so it's time for the players to give back by their performance on the pitch. It's all there for the taking....if the players want it bad enough. As the Nike advert says...."Just do it".
Condolences to you and the family @RTB. Here's hoping the lads can pull it out of the bag for him. Great thread as always.
Looked disinterested to me. Is his contract up? He must know he isnt going to get a big money offer so surely playing for a new contract with us would be his best choice.
