Sunderland host Fleetwood in the Skybet League One. Last time out Sunderland drew at Charlton and Fleetwood lost to at home to Ipswich. The Black Cats dropped to 7th place as the point gained at the Valley was not enough to maintain a play-off place. Alex Neil made a few changes to the side and started Nathan Broadhead after his hamstring lay off. Jermain Defoe and Leon Dajaku were left out due to injury. Alex Pritchard has an ankle injury and is unlikely to be available on Tuesday, whilst Arbenit Xhemajli could be rested as Alex Neil has stated that he may not be ready yet for 2 games per week. Fleetwood conceded two second half goals at home to Ipswich and have not won in their last nine games. The Cod Army now sit in 19th position just 2 points off the relegation places. Alex Neil: "The biggest concern that I have is Alex Pritchard, who has been fundamental for me since I came here, as his injury doesn't look good at the moment.” "He looked really sharp all week in training and that gave me the confidence to put him in. Broadhead was a threat, he will get sharper and he will get better." "The biggest frustration was that as the game wore on we have got gaps in our squad so I didn't have another centre-forward to bring on for him, so I ended up playing Jack Clarke up there, and he is a wide player." "I changed it and went 4-3-3 and literally just left our three up the pitch and made it a game that was going to go end-to-end and see if they were brave enough to try and attack at that point, which they were and we had chances off the back of that in transition." Stephen Crainey: “We’ve got a good squad of players at the club. Everyone is going to be needed from now on until the end of the season so there are no excuses in terms of injuries. “The effort and energy are always there every day. I see it at training and I see it in the game, so we need to maintain those levels and eventually our luck will change. They’re a great group of lads. They come in with a smile on their faces every day and give me their all every day, and that’s what we’re going to need from now until the end of the season. “It’s going to take a group of men to stand up and be counted. We need men who want to stand up and fight and I’m sure that I’ll get that because they are a good group. I’m looking forward to the final 12 games of the season, and hopefully we can get a few wins under our belt.” Match Appointments: Referee: SAMUEL BARROTT Assistant Referees: Kevin Mulraine and Ivan Stankovic Fourth Official: Wayne Grunnill Team Line ups Sunderland: (4-2-3-1) Patterson; Cirkin, Wright, Doyle, Winchester, Matete, Evans, Broadhead, Clarke, Gooch, Stewart Subs: Hoffmann, Batth, Hume, Neil, Embleton, Dajaku, Roberts, Injured: Burge, Willis, Huggins, McGeady, O’Nien Fleetwood Town: (3-5-2) Cairns, Nsiala, Clarke, Jules, Johnson, Lane, Camps, Johnston, Andrew, Pilkington, Harrison Subs: Butterworth, O'Hara, Garner, Morris, Biggins, Boyle, Hayes Injured: tbc Betting Odds: Sunderland 1/2 Fleetwood 19/4 Draw 16/5 My two pence: A good team performance at the Valley despite the weather and the usual inept performance from the match officials. We really should have won that game, we were back to playing some good attacking football, but we failed to take our chances (8 shots on target) Only Wigan and Oxford had more shots on target (9). At least we don’t have to suffer the usual Joey Barton rants before this game. Fleetwood are no mugs as they have recently drawn with MK Dons and Portsmouth away from home. We need to win our home games and I think that we will do exactly that. I’m going for a 2-0 home win. Live Stream: https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
Great thread as always mate. Another game and 3 points an absolute must. I’ll be there with my son, hoping to see Clarke start. Broadhead should be on the bench IMO, slowly bring him back.
Doyle ? too many mistakes no chance, put Batth in his place with his height he could have got to a lot of those corners. Any win will do
I was wondering why you'd dropped Arby from the squad until I read what you said about him possibly not being ready for it fitness wise. Makes sense although I wouldn't be too surprised to see him play, it's not a high work rate position. If it is Doyle he'll be fine, he's a quality player who just needed a break, well managed by Neil. I fancy us to win this one. Neil is building a solid platform in defence and we're due a couple of goals because we've been creating chances.
No excuses, we need a win and another good performance. Pritchard has been our key player but there's enough talent in his replacements to step up. Broadhead wanted to score every time he was near the Charlton box and I wouldn't be surprised if he scored on Tuesday. A win puts us fifth and puts pressure on those around us. I can't see anything but another clean sheet and a couple of goals ... ... Haway the Lads!!!
Grest thread as usual @RTB As always I am hoping for a fast start and a couple of early goals. The talent is there we just need it to click into place.
RTB Gotta win. As some of our rivals have games in hand we just have to win... odds are lengthening for a play-off spot. But nil desperendum etc Pritchard's injury is depressing...
Need to start putting teams away I like the way things have went last two games bar the result we’re due a bit of luck tbf Haway Haway Haway top thread as always
Nice thread. Be interesting to see how he manages Arby's fitness levels. Also, if Roberts or Clarke finally get the nod to start with Prichard out. I want Dan Neil back onto the starting 11. Our pitch is looking decent again and need to play so progressive ball through the lines, he is the man for this.
A must win game and I think we will. Would like to see a couple of changes. Doyle for Xhemajli looks good. Neil in for Evans. Clarke in for Pritchard. Can see a solid 2-0.
Very strange, now that Neil is coming to grips at Sunderland and performances have lifted some posters are wanting changes to the starting 11. WHY.
Great thread @RTB as always, but us Xjemajli injured? Not sure why you’d change a defensive line which has done so well. I’d have him instead if Doyle myself
Agree , things don’t change overnight but our standard of play has improved and all that was lacking on Saturday was putting the ball in the net . Let the manager manage and hopefully we will get to the play offs and who knows what will happen ?
Mr X after been out for so long may need a couple of days break? Otherwise stick with same team, and defence (2 clean sheets in a row) although Pritchard may he injured, so an enforced change?
For some reason fixtures against these are always tight scoreline wise. We threw away a two goal lead at their place so no repeats tomorrow, as said we have to keep winning and I expect us to finally finish these off with a bit to spare. Great thread RTB..HTL
Alex Neil said before the Charlton game that he may need to be rested for mid week games after being out for so long. He is not injured as such but needs to be managed similar to Duncan Watmore and his cruciate ligament injury.
it s hit or bust time for our club...all out attack, we need wins, no more hanging on for the last 10/15 minutes...go for the jugular.
Fancy us to win this comfortably. I'm going for 4-0. Stewart 2, Embo and Matete. Great thread as always
spot on thread again RTB i think we will win this one, cant see why Evans is in the team, other than that looking forward to the game. hope Ross has his shooting boots on
