Sunderland host Gillingham in the Skybet League One. Last time out Sunderland drew at Lincoln and Gillingham beat Accrington Following a two-week international break, Alex Neil’s side will be back in Stadium of Light action on Saturday as they look to extend their unbeaten run. The Black Cats haven’t tasted defeat in six games and have conceded only once in their past five fixtures. Alex Pritchard and Nathan Broadhead could be getting close to a return along with defender Danny Batth. The Black Cats still have winger Aiden McGeady and keeper Lee Burge on the sidelines. Gillingham will also be vying for the points in their push to escape the drop. Neil Harris’ rejuvenated Gills have a visit to Sunderland, followed by their remaining five games against Wycombe (h), Cheltenham (a), Fleetwood (h), Portsmouth (a), and Rotherham (h). That’s six games to complete the great escape. Manager of the Season awards are rarely dished out to mid-season appointments, but if Harris keeps Gillingham in League One, he’d definitely be in with a shout. Alex Neil: “We were concerned that both (Pritchard & Broadhead) would be long-term issues, but they have recovered quicker than anticipated. “That’s great and both have been out on the grass this week, so we have hopefully seen signs that they are coming back.” “Whether they will be back for this weekend’s game against Gillingham, I’m not quite sure, but they certainly aren’t far away.” “We tried to top up as many lads with minutes (in that Under-23 game) that hadn’t been featuring, and obviously the likes of Danny (Batth) needed some because he hadn’t played for a wee while. “It’s good to get all of the players back (and available), as it gives us variety in terms of what is available for our remaining games." "We have to go out and throw caution to the wind in terms of how we approach the match, and make sure that we have no regrets because you don't want to walk in after any game and think that you've left anything in the tank. That goes for the supporters as well. Give us your backing because the next seven matches are absolutely crucial." Neil Harris: “It is not a game that we will enjoy watching back I don’t think, quality wise, but that is irrelevant. Accrington were nine unbeaten at home, and had won four in a row, but we got the three points. “I wouldn’t particularly say that we deserved to win the game on chances. I thought that we were very wasteful in possession in the first half when we got into good areas. "There were a few choice words at half-time from myself about our lack of quality and physicality from a couple of players who didn’t do enough for me, but key moments the goalkeeper made some great saves and, at the other end, two clear-cut chances and we put the ball in the net. “Football is about scoring goals at key times and winning games, and credit to my players for finding a way. “I said to the players that maybe it wasn’t the performance I wanted or expected, but they found a way to win and if they can do that it is a great mentality to have as a group, but also if they want to get better, individually and collectively, we need to be better. Match Appointments: Referee: OLIVER LANGFORD Assistant Referees: Philip Dermott and Richard Wild Fourth Official: Trevor Kettle Team Line ups Sunderland: (4-2-3-1)Patterson; Cirkin, Wright, Xhemajli, Winchester, Matete, O’Nien, Clarke, Pritchard, Roberts, Stewart Subs: Hoffmann, Doyle, Hume, Neil, Embleton, Gooch, Broadhead. Injured: Burge, Willis, Huggins, McGeady. Gillingham: (3-4-1-2) Chapman, Tucker, Ehmer, Masterson, Jackson, O'Keefe, Lee, Tutonda, Thompson, Oliver, Kelman Subs: Dahlberg, Dickson-Peters, Reeves, Phillips, Maghoma, Akehurst, Chambers. Injured: McDonald, Adshead, Lloyd, Carayol. Betting Odds: Sunderland 2/5 Gillingham 13/2 Draw 10/3 My two pence: After a really boring international break I’m already looking forward to our next home game. The Gills gave us a good game at their place and caused us a few problems with a constant stream of long balls into the box. I’m going for a 3-1 home win Live Stream: (Overseas fans) https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
Top thread as always mate. I wish the betting odds for SAFC were 2/1 mind, lump job that I think you mean 1/2 unfortunately… Just another must win game before a massive one at Oxford next weekend.
Excellent thread mate. Neil said, just before Pritchard was injured, that he was his key player .... ... I think his return will be a major boost and Neil will take the brakes off now. 4-0, Haway the Lads!!! Alex Neil press conference below. https://safc.com/news/team-news/2022/april/neil-pre-gillingham
So pleased to see the match thread back, seems to have been longer than a 2 week break. I like the look of that line up and wouldn't be unhappy to see us start like that Saturday. As always hoping for a fast start and to batter then from the first minute. 3-0, Stewart, Roberts and Wright
RTB Gotta win... simple as! I hope Pritchard can play and I go along with the team as RTB has set out.
Gills have drawn their last two games at our place 2-2 so we can't afford another repeat. It's win at all costs so going for a home win and any score will do imo. Obviously a comfortable win would help but we can't be too fussed as long as we win.
Marvelous thread as always. Seems like an age since we had an SAFC match thread. Looking forward to getting back to the SoL and having a few bevvies. These ****ers always seem to turn up at the SoL so I don't think it will be easy. I'll go 3-1 but I think it could be a tight 2-1 for a large chunk of the game before we finish them off late on with the third.
I think it will be a tough game, it shouldn't be but we will make it so. I know we are looking better lately but still see us being weak when things don't go our way and we struggle to make the changes required to turn games around. These will play to disrupt and piss off (as all these clubs seem to) and we will struggle to cope with it - as we have all season. Its another must win but I think we will suffer a narrow loss having dominated the play and created (but not taken) the best chances.
thank you for another great thread RTB and in the immortal words of Elvis Its now or never, we need the win to get the to the playoffs, we need out of this god forsaken league by fair means or foul im not bothered
I think the 2 of them making a remarkable recovery sooner than expected is a bit too good to be true, I really hope he's not rushing them both back too quickly.
I like the suggested team formation and selection. I think we play much better with the wing backs,and Dennis Cirkin has been excellent in his role recently. It's a pity we can't find a way of getting both Pritch and Dan Neil into the lineup alongside Matete and O9.
Me too, I think Pritchard will start if he's right and Broadhead will be on the bench behind Roberts. I don't think we need either to beat Gillingham and won't risk them if they're not properly fit.
I hope so but I am not expecting too much as it may take them a few games to get back up to speed. I just think it will be the same formula with the opposition rough housing us and playing like twats and us failing to deal with it well. Hope I am totally wrong though and we smash them to ****.
Another must win. Cannot afford to drop points at home. Like the suggested team but you just know Evans will start and I don't think Pritchard will be risked from the start.
Evans was at least one of our best players at Lincoln. Neil and Embleton should be forcing him and Gooch out but they're invisible far too much.
