Lincoln City v Sunderland – Skybet League One
Last time out Sunderland beat MK Dons and Lincoln lost at Blackpool.
Aiden McGeady and Marc McNulty have returned to training ahead of Sunderland’s clash with Lincoln City.
Sunderland travel to Sincil Bank on Saturday to face a side who, after winning their first four competitive games this season, now have just one in 11.
Michael Appleton has taken over from Danny Cowley, the inspirational figure behind their climb up the leagues, who has now joined Huddersfield Town.
Jack Ross:
“I'm none the wiser (about the take over), I'm not avoiding the question, I have no idea what is going on. It would be weak of me as a manager to use it as an excuse. Anything that involves uncertainty at any club, you would like that stability. The truth is that it doesn't affect me one way or the other."
“We don’t want a build-up of fixtures, but we’ve had three call-ups, two of which made up part of our back five on Saturday. We’ve made a balanced decision and done what we think is right.”
“We are in a very similar position to the one we were last season. Our challenge now is to improve on it. It gives us a platform to be successful, but we need to make sure that we don’t fall short.”
“Aiden and Marc both trained today, and how they react today and tomorrow will determine whether or not they are involved at Lincoln on Saturday.”
“I'm sure that Michael (Appleton) will look at this as his first proper home game. We have prepared as consistently as we do."
Michael Appleton:
“We have a busy month ahead with tough games, so it will be a great opportunity to see how we sit in the division and get a realistic idea.”
“It will be challenging but exciting, and the players will be chomping at the bit for Saturday’s game, especially at home because the place will be absolutely rocking at the weekend.”
“Sunderland are on a good run and will be in good form, but they should be ready for a good game because the ground will be bouncing with our fans behind us.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve gone ahead in a game of football, so I think that could be key. We know that the visitors have drawn a lot of games over recent times, so if we can get that first goal then it would give us a massive confidence boost.”
Prutton predicts: Meh
Match Appointments:
Referee: BRETT HUXTABLE
Assistants: Matthew Bristow and Stephen Wade
Fourth Official: Declan Bourne
Team Line ups
Sunderland: J McLaughlin, C McLaughlin, De Bock, Willis, Lynch, Power, Dobson, O’Nien, Gooch, McGeady, McNulty
Subs: Burge, Flanagan, Ozturk, Hume, McGeouch, Maguire, Wyke
Injured: Watmore, Embleton
Lincoln City Vickers, Eardley, Bolger, Shackell, Toffolo, Connolly, Morrell, Anderson, Payne, Carvalho Andrade, Walker
Subs: O'Connor, Chapman, Grant, Smith, Lewis, Melbourne, Akinde
Injured: Bostwick
Betting Odds:
Home 9/5 Away 11/8 Draw 23/10
My two pence:
We need to push on now and put a bit of a run together. If only we could play like we did in the first half against MK Dons - for the whole game this time. Lincoln started the season well but have been sliding down the table since losing the Cowley brothers, and we should be taking advantage of that.
My guess is a 2-1 away win
Ha’way the Lads
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Last time out Sunderland beat MK Dons and Lincoln lost at Blackpool.
Aiden McGeady and Marc McNulty have returned to training ahead of Sunderland’s clash with Lincoln City.
Sunderland travel to Sincil Bank on Saturday to face a side who, after winning their first four competitive games this season, now have just one in 11.
Michael Appleton has taken over from Danny Cowley, the inspirational figure behind their climb up the leagues, who has now joined Huddersfield Town.
Jack Ross:
“I'm none the wiser (about the take over), I'm not avoiding the question, I have no idea what is going on. It would be weak of me as a manager to use it as an excuse. Anything that involves uncertainty at any club, you would like that stability. The truth is that it doesn't affect me one way or the other."
“We don’t want a build-up of fixtures, but we’ve had three call-ups, two of which made up part of our back five on Saturday. We’ve made a balanced decision and done what we think is right.”
“We are in a very similar position to the one we were last season. Our challenge now is to improve on it. It gives us a platform to be successful, but we need to make sure that we don’t fall short.”
“Aiden and Marc both trained today, and how they react today and tomorrow will determine whether or not they are involved at Lincoln on Saturday.”
“I'm sure that Michael (Appleton) will look at this as his first proper home game. We have prepared as consistently as we do."
Michael Appleton:
“We have a busy month ahead with tough games, so it will be a great opportunity to see how we sit in the division and get a realistic idea.”
“It will be challenging but exciting, and the players will be chomping at the bit for Saturday’s game, especially at home because the place will be absolutely rocking at the weekend.”
“Sunderland are on a good run and will be in good form, but they should be ready for a good game because the ground will be bouncing with our fans behind us.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve gone ahead in a game of football, so I think that could be key. We know that the visitors have drawn a lot of games over recent times, so if we can get that first goal then it would give us a massive confidence boost.”
You must log in or register to see images
Prutton predicts: Meh
Match Appointments:
Referee: BRETT HUXTABLE
Assistants: Matthew Bristow and Stephen Wade
Fourth Official: Declan Bourne
Team Line ups
Sunderland: J McLaughlin, C McLaughlin, De Bock, Willis, Lynch, Power, Dobson, O’Nien, Gooch, McGeady, McNulty
You must log in or register to see images
Subs: Burge, Flanagan, Ozturk, Hume, McGeouch, Maguire, Wyke
Injured: Watmore, Embleton
Lincoln City Vickers, Eardley, Bolger, Shackell, Toffolo, Connolly, Morrell, Anderson, Payne, Carvalho Andrade, Walker
Subs: O'Connor, Chapman, Grant, Smith, Lewis, Melbourne, Akinde
Injured: Bostwick
Betting Odds:
Home 9/5 Away 11/8 Draw 23/10
My two pence:
We need to push on now and put a bit of a run together. If only we could play like we did in the first half against MK Dons - for the whole game this time. Lincoln started the season well but have been sliding down the table since losing the Cowley brothers, and we should be taking advantage of that.
My guess is a 2-1 away win
Ha’way the Lads
