Last time out Sunderland beat Rotherham and Middlesbrough lost at Watford Sunderland make the short journey down the A19 to face Middlesbrough in the Championship. Tony Mowbray started his Sunderland career with a resounding 3-0 home win against last years’ League One runners up, Rotherham. The Black Cats paraded their 4 new signings at half-time, whilst Carl Winchester has joined Shrewsbury on loan. Jack Clarke is expected to be fine despite his precautionary withdrawal with a calf knock late on. New recruits Jewison Bennette, Edouard Michut, Abdoullah Ba and Amad Diallo are all in full training and may be considered. Middlesbrough are in 22nd place having won one and drawn three of their seven Championship games so far this season. Duncan Watmore and Paddy McNair could both feature for the Boro, wing-backs, Ryan Giles and Isaiah Jones will pose most threat. Giles has three assists from seven games. Tony Mowbray: “I’ve had a pretty whirlwind few days but it’s been really enjoyable. I’ve been really impressed from day one walking into this amazing building and amazing facility. We are off to a good start but it’s only a good start." “I know that the ups and downs are coming and I look forward to helping the club to grow. It is a pretty young squad of footballers, but I would say that they are quite tight and really positive.” “What I do know is that the teams I’ve gone back with, I’ve had good results at the Riverside. I’ve played in enough of them, they are derby games. Receptions, it doesn’t matter really. I have affection for that club because I spent 12 years there. This is where I work, this is my job and we will do everything to get the three points.” Chris Wilder: "We didn't deserve that. Not at all. I thought we were excellent in the second half, especially as we had to survive and we had to suffer a little bit in the first half. We withstood that with the players that they've got. "These are two players who really shouldn't be anywhere near this league. The two players at the top of the pitch, Sarr and Joao Pedro, you can see why they are going for 25, 30, 35 million and why arguably they should be playing in the Premier League. In the second half we handled them and were the better side, but they go home as winning footballers and we don't." Match Appointments: Referee: DARREN BOND Assistant Referees: Philip Dermott and Richard Wild Fourth Official: James Bell Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (3-5-2) Patterson, Cirkin, O'Nien, Batth, Neil, Evans, Gooch, Pritchard, Clarke, Stewart, Simms. Subs: Bass, Alese, Wright, Matete, Embleton, Michut, Roberts Injured: Huggins, Dajaku, Ballard. Middlesbrough (3-5-1-1): Roberts, McNair, Lenihan, Clarke, Jones, Crooks, Howson, Mowatt, Giles, McGree, Muniz Carvalho Subs: Fry, Smith, Dijksteel, Watmore, Forss, Bola, Daniels. Injured: Akpom, Steffen, Betting Odds: Sunderland 18/5 Middlesbrough 3/4 Draw 11/4 Prutton Predicts: 2-2 My two pence: An excellent start to the Tony Mowbray era and long may it continue. A very strong team performance that will hopefully increase the confidence throughout the squad. Boro have a good recent record against us but I’m going for a 2-0 away win Live Stream: Live on Sky Sports Football (from 19:30) Ha’way the Lads
Not sure how to call this one. Based on the last 4/5 seasons Boro are a strong enough team in this league and it should be a tough night for us. But they've had a poor start to the season and our odds of 4/1 are way too long. We shouldn't be 4/1 against anyone in this league based on what I've seen so far (and we've played the current top 3). I'll say 1-1 draw but I wouldn't be shocked if we go and win.
Always worries me when I look at an RTB match thread and recognise the ref’s name!! great thread as always
Thanks for the quality thread again @RTB After more time with the team this week and two great performances, I can't see formation changes but maybe subtle tactical changes and more proactive use of subs from TM. Carry on where we left off Wednesday and we should be to strong for them. So will let my heart rule my head and say 0-2 to us. Stewart and Simms
Be interesting to see if TM tinkers with the team or the way were playing. Who will be sat on the subs bench? 2 up top away at Boro might be a tad brave but we'll see, they're results lately aren't good but their performances have been better, so hard one to call but I'll settle for any score in an away win. Top bloke again RTB
Really looking forward to this one. Would be very happy to avoid defeat, tough game. Ross Stewart to grab another goal…
Faint hearts win f*ck all…3 - 0 to the lads. Stewart 2 and Clarke the other just like the last game. Take the game to them and take them apart. We are on a roll
Especially when it's the little prick with the Alice head band, although the standard of referee is this league is slightly better than league 1 he was probably one of the worst I've seen in the last 4 years
RTB Personally I see no need to change a winning team... It will be telling/interesting to see if Mowbray can resist tinkering, ie do not play 2 up front or change position of some players or who he will have on the bench.. Smoggies fan forum after their poor start are not too optimistic. Watmore and McNair!
Tough game on Monday, would be happy with a point tbh. Got a feeling Mowbray has a trick up his sleeve for these smoggy ****s. 1-6 to the Laaaddds
I forgot about him. Didn't he **** in us a bit, spent most of his time with us injured cam back looked decent and pushed for a move when we went down? Or am I rewriting history?
Difficult one to call. Will settle for a point but we are capable of winning this one. Cracking thread as always RTB. Thank you. Keep the faith lads and lasses.
