Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Burnley FC – Saturday 22nd October 2022 - KO 15:00

Sunderland welcome Burnley to the Stadium of Light in the Championship.
Last time out Sunderland lost at Blackburn and Burnley drew with Birmingham.
The Black Cats can count themselves extremely unlucky to have lost 2-0 at Blackburn after replays showed that two key decisions went against them as they were denied a penalty prior to the breakaway which led to the first goal and Scott Wharton’s header had more than a hint of offside.
Aji Alese will be out for 3-4 weeks after his injury at Blackburn, Ellis Simms continues to progress well, but this weekend will come too soon and the striker is due to return to full training on Monday. Lynden Gooch has potential to be involved after missing the midweek trip, but will be assessed after missing training on Thursday. Rob Ballard was back on the grass training on Thursday and Ross Stewart continues his recovery.
Burnley drew 1-1 at Birmingham to extend their unbeaten league run to 12 games and drop to third place in the table behind Blackburn and new leaders QPR. The Clarets have lost just once this term, at Watford in August.
Vincent Kompany oversaw a dramatic squad overhaul in the summer and has preached patience since his arrival given the number of new additions and the age profile of his young squad. The start has exceeded expectations at Turf Moor and the Clarets boss feels Burnley can improve further.
Tony Mowbray:
"I think Lynden has got a chance, we're hoping that he gets his boots on Friday and comes out to train with us," Mowbray explained.
"Everyone I think knows that if Lynden has got half a chance to play, he'll be out there. I'm hopeful, though as I sit here now [Thursday afternoon] he hasn't yet trained. He still feels the injury but it's improving every day and so we'll see how he goes on the grass tomorrow."
"I've just spoken to Trai, my players know that my door is always open, that's what I'm here for, "I will always give them my thoughts, listen to them, explain my logic.
"I thought he did alright at Blackburn, we were chasing the game when he came on and so he wasn't really just playing right back, he was trying to drive inside to buy Patrick Roberts some time and space, he was basically operating as an eight. He applied himself well.
"He's done well in training but the negative for him is I haven't seen much of him starting on the right of a back four. I like his personality and I like what he brings in training, I've said to him that if Goochy is fit he is likely to get in the side. If he isn't, then Trai has got every chance."
Vincent Kompany:
“I’m disappointed with the way we conceded the goal,” said Kompany. We had done a good job until then. But we were playing a team in form and it’s a good point.
“We gave away such a cheap goal. That was annoying. But we brought 16 players in this season and we are maturing into a good side. Twelve games unbeaten in this league, 13 unbeaten in all competitions, is good.
“That’s eight draws for us. We are in a habit of leading and could have had more points.

Match Appointments:
Referee: TIM ROBINSON
Assistant Referees: Paul Hodskinson and Nigel Lugg
Fourth Official: Ross Joyce

Team Lineups:
Sunderland AFC: (4-3-3) Patterson, Cirkin, Batth, O’Nien, Hume, Neil, Evans, Embleton, Pritchard, Clarke, Roberts.

Subs: Bass, Wright, Matete, Michut, BA, Bennette, Diallo
Injured: Huggins, Ballard, Stewart, Alese, Gooch

Burnley Muric, Roberts, Harwood-Bellis, Taylor, Vitinho; Cork, Cullen, Brownhill, Tella, Zaroury, Rodriguez
Subs: Peacock-Farrell, Long, Bastien, Benson, Gudmundsson, Barnes, Dervisoglu
Injured: Maatsen, Beyer

Betting Odds:
Sunderland 21/10 Burnley 5/4 Draw 12/5

Prutton Predicts: 1-1



My two pence:
A good performance at Blackburn but we were robbed by 2 poor decisions. Blackburn didn’t look like top of the table candidates, but they do have a top striker in Ben Brereton Diaz.
Burnley have a good squad and could cause us lots of problems especially as Alese is unavailable. I think Hume looked fine at right back so maybe O’Nien will partner Baath with Cirkin at Left back.
I’m going for a 2-2 draw.

Live Stream:
https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video

Due to EFL broadcast restrictions, SAFSee streaming will only be available to overseas-based supporters. Audio commentary will be available to all supporters.

Ha’way the Lads

 

Thank you for the thread @RTB

Got a feeling we might see one or two tweeks with maybe Ba, Jewi or Diallo starting.

Like the look of your back 4 though, would be happy with that.

If we play like we can we shouldn't be scared of anyone.

Going for a tight 2-1 Roberts and Baath

 

I would start Ba instead of Embleton, just dont think Embleton offers enough. Pritchard has been very hot and cold recently so wouldnt be against Amad starting in a front 3 with Roberts and Clarke

 

Evans may need a rest as he can't usually do 2 games in a week.

Yeah - Probably Amad for Embo or Pritchard

 

Really tough game this one with Alese getting a knock which will disrupt our back line. I'd be delighted with a point but even if we get beat KTF, these lads are a great group and will never say die.

 

I'll go for a nervy 2-1

Great thread RTB

HWTL

Hawaaaaaaaay

 

Be happy with a 1:1.
Hope he tries Hume at right back
Embo for Ba
Is Simms fit?

 

Returns to full training on Monday - so NO

 

Tony's Presser:
https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2022/october/burnley/press-conference-burnley-home

 

After the WC for Simms

 

RTB

Burnley are a good team with a good manager.

IF we get a decent ref??? keep a clean sheet..you never know we might score a couple of goals and win 3 points.

 

I hope not
Head coach Tony Mowbray says he will rejoin full training on Monday, potentially clearing the way for him to play some part against Luton Town next week.
"Ellis won't make the bench for Saturday," Mowbray said.

 

Hope so mate, I might be lumping all our injuries into the same 'after the world cup pot'.

 

Ballard & Stewart may not be risked, it would be good to see Huggins back though.

 

Tough game and think we’ll get done. No striker is killing us.

 

Was decent for the 21s last week for the 45mins he played. He will he the definition of a 'new signing' when he is eventually back fit.

 

It could be worse, Reading have 4 fit strikers but have serious injury problems with their back 4
- they've lost the last 3 games

 

Our last two against these at home have finished 0-0 so don't want another tomorrow, however might take a point right now.
They like to play possession football, a bit like us on Tueday but we need to find an end result in the final third like we did against Wigan.
Another fixture against an inform top six side, when do we get to play teams on a poor run?.
Need to keep picking up points HTL.

 

On RTB’s thread towards the end he has 3 x match forecasts (like coming back from being behind and players getting booked)
I wonder what the chances are for having a fair referee because just about all of them so far have been harsh against us and very easy on our opponents.
I would say;
Chances of a fair referee…….very very unlikely.

As to the team,
I would start Ba instead of Embleton who seems to be far more effective when used as a sub.

 

Great as always RTB still home so will be in attendance gone for a draw but as ever hoping for a win, as folk have said I think Embleton should be swapped I prefer him coming off the bench and I’d really like to see us letting fly from inside or outside the box the crowd love a nice shot or two COME ON