Sunderland host Shrewsbury at the Stadium of Light in the Skybet League One. Last time out Sunderland lost to Plymouth and Shrewsbury lost at Southampton in the FA Cup. Sunderland lost ground on their promotion chasing rivals after losing at home to Plymouth on a rain sodden pitch in mid-week. The Black Cats will be looking to pounce back into form with a win against Shewsbury. Lee Johnson will be without Jordan Willis after he was withdrawn with a knee injury on the slippery surface. Shrewsbury lost 2-0 at Southampton but created problems for the Premier league hosts and didn’t look like a side that had not played since 29th December. Manager Steve Cotterill, who was missing as he recovers from coronavirus, would have been proud of the way that his side went about their business, with Shaun Whalley, Harry Chapman and Matthew Pennington all having chances to score. Lee Johnson: “We've found some good pace and power in Jack Diamond, but we're always looking to stretch opponents as much as possible so we're always looking for that willing running. It's not always about being lightning quick, you've just got to be willing to run your absolute maximum a lot, and to be able to repeatedly sprint and recover. That's something that we could look to add, but it's not easy by the way. That's the prized asset, what people want and what you have to pay the money for, but we are looking for a slightly different profile higher up the pitch. Then, as I've talked about, potentially someone to compete with Callum McFadzean at left-back. We could do with someone to share the load a bit now that Denver is injured.” “There were some culture errors today which I don’t like. I have to go to sleep at night knowing that whatever goes on externally, myself and my squad have consistency and believe in each other. “We have to create that cause and that family. It’s important that the lads buy into that and if they don’t they will be gone quicker than you can say their name." Steve Cotterill: (Currently has Covid) Aaron Wilbraham: (temporary manager) " The lads are looking good in training, everyone has recovered well, we had a good session this morning and every thing is fine" "Everyone is focused on the next game and we are looking forward to it. I spoke to him (Steve Cotterill) briefly yesterday, he had a bit of a rough day, he hasn't declined or got any worse just feeling a bit groggy, but I'm sure that I'll speak to him a bit more before the end of the week" " I had Lee Johnson as my manager at Bristol City and I know what he's about, he likes to play football and he'll be looking to bounce back from defeat, so we know we have to be ready for a tough game and that's what we will be aiming to do" " As I said the lads were looking good in training, everyone has recovered well, no new injuries and the lads are looking forward to getting back to our league form." Match Appointments: Referee: SAMUEL BARROTT Assistant Referees: Wayne Grunnill and Geoffrey Liddle Fourth Official: Carl Boyeson Team Line ups Sunderland: Burge, Power, Wright, Sanderson, McFadzean, Winchester, Leadbitter, Scowen, McGeady, O’Brien, Diamond. Subs: Matthews, Taylor, Younger, Embleton, O’Nien, Wyke, Curry. Injured: Xhemajli, Kimpioka, Hume, Flanagan, Grigg, Gooch, Willis. Shrewsbury: (3-4-1-2): Sarkic, Ebanks-Landell, Pierre, Pennington, Williams, Norburn, Vela, Golbourne, Chapman, Whalley, Udoh. Subs: Burgoyne, Edwards, Goss, Pyke, Clarke, Sears, Tracey Injured: tbc Betting Odds: Home 7/10 Away 15/4 Draw 11/4 My two pence: Well here we are again, after a great away result we end up losing a game that we had enough chances to win. We need to vastly improve our home form. I think that there will be a few changes to the team selection with Willis out injured, and probably Leadbitter returning to the side. Unfortunately we don’t have another fit left-back. Shrewsbury seem to play better against the top sides and have beaten Lincoln and Doncaster away. I’m going for a 1-1 draw. Live stream £10 https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
Leadbitter the puppet master, 5 dynamic busy bees buzzing around OBrien, the pivot that. . . nope, cant continue
Yeah I know what you mean but Wyke's last 2 games have been like chalk and CHEESE Just play Curry man
I'd like to see something like this; Burge Power Sanderson Wright McFazdean Leadbitter Winchester Diamond Maguire Mcgeady O'Brien
Does Maquire deserve a start? Not sure, hasn't really done anything in the last few games for me. Embleton or even O'Nien in that position? Or just thought - give Neil a go in there! Would go with the rest of the team though
Has he had much chance? Onien is an absolute no for me anywhere other than right back. Embleton hasnt impressed me at all even though I think theres a player in there. We know Maguire can be a match winner on his day and we need an extra goal threat on the pitch
At home on saturday. Without being disrespectful to them we should be rolling over teams like this but we keep giving away stupid early goals then we spend the rest of the game chasing a point. Almost halfway through the season and no one knows our strongest starting 11. On paper we should be in or near the top 2 of this league but for whatever reason we aren't and it's a worry.
Apart from Southampton defeat there current league form is the best in the league. As has been pointed out though they have had a few Covid cases. Hopefully they are fatigued and their fitness levels arent that good.
Brilliant thread, as usual, and I'm really looking forward to this game. Despite the Plymouth result I have faith in LJ and think we're capable of doing a 'Lincoln' on Shrewsbury ... no reason why not. O'Brien is starting to impress and with Gooch and O'Nien around him think he has the intelligence to create space and score goals. I think Winchester will play an important part on Saturday, you could see him thinking 'wtf are some of these people doing'. There's about 7/8 players I'd have on every team sheet and, with a little help, could go unbeaten from now on.
Oh dear, I'm waiting for the Liverpool game to come on sky sports and I'm watching asamoah gyan bang them in and dance with bolo at the corner flag. Henderson set him up, danny welbeck, kieron richardson playing.
RTB Well I have us down as a win, no point in watching the game otherwise. What the result will be I have no idea, I probably think its evens for a win, lose or draw. Similar side I suppose as the last couple of games, who is on the bench or who starts..its a toss up. We have to score more goals, no idea how..create more chances? And hope we can convert 2 or 3 of them,( that means, I reckon Mcgeady, Diamond and Maguire creators and Wyke, O'Brien score) and do better from corners and free kicks.. We have had our discussion about hopes for the rest of the season...its simple we need wins.. Some better players and a new owner ?
This needs a meh option in the votes as after that shower on Tuesday I’m absolutely not bothered, our club is in tatters, all of it, the squad, the finances, the academy, the lifts, the sponsor (****ing Plymouth had ginsters), that pitch, we have been turned into a mediocre league one club thanks Donald and salmon pants now kindly **** off and let’s get on with the future, this side is not good enough and I’m surprised it’s taking lj this long to suss it
