Sunderland travel to Luton in the Championship. Last time out Sunderland lost to Burnley and Luton lost at Watford The Black Cats started well against Burnley, but experience and quality paid in the end when the Clarets came back from 2-0 down to secure a 4-2 victory. Ellis Simms returned to full training on Monday and could be back in the squad along with Patrick Roberts, however Lynden Gooch and Aji Alese are unavailable for a few weeks. Luton had 3 first teamers out with a bug on Sunday as they lost 4-0 to their local rivals, Watford. The Hatters are 9th in the League with 24 points. Tony Mowbray: “We could feel their quality in the first half yet we were two up, and could have been more up, but that’s football and we have to accept it, no excuses. Let's get on with the next one. It's frustrating, disappointing for the supporters of course to see the team do well for a while and then the impression is a collapse really under the pressure that came our way. I stand here with no excuse, I don’t want an excuse, it’s not about who wasn’t available, who didn’t play, what the team was, it was a Sunderland team in a red and white shirt and we should have done better in the second half.” “They're young players, we have got a spattering of experience, but we've got a lot of young players and it's difficult to not change a game really. When it got to 2-2 you're looking at who we can put on. We can put young players on who can run around and bring a bit more energy as the intensity levels dropped in the team, and yet Burnley are very experienced and they kept playing forward and kept trying to feed off their mistakes really. Ultimately we got punished and we have to accept it, and whilst we're all disappointed we have to put it behind us really quickly.” “That's the plan. I’ve just been talking about Luton, there’s not a more intimidating place to go to in this league than Luton, just a tiny little arena and it feels like a small pitch and they ask lots of questions of you. They're very physical, we have to be ready to deal with that and we’ll prepare through the week and see if we can bounce back from this disappointment.” Nathan Jones: “They scored goals today but there was context to it. We have put in big, big shifts in the last four games, three of which have been away. West Brom, Norwich, Watford here and QPR at home. “We are unbeaten in three with seven points which is a good haul, and we can’t forget that. Today we got decimated by an illness bug. We lost Henri Lansbury, Luke Berry and Dan Potts. They were on the bench, and even though they were named they didn’t come out. We were decimated by it, Sonny Bradley had it as well so it was right through the squad and today we looked lacklustre. “We gave away goals that we never give away. First two minutes we don’t mark in the box. We have given the ball away three times in the six years that I have been here that have led directly to goals. Once at Derby away and twice today. “I’m really disappointed and gutted. I apologise to the fans for what they have had to go through today. It is the last place that we wanted to come to (and lose).” Match Appointments: Referee: JAMES LININGTON Assistant Referees: Nigel Lugg and Adrian Waters Fourth Official: John Busby Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (4-3-3) Patterson, Cirkin, Batth, O’Nien, Hume, Neil, Evans, Pritchard, Clarke, Simms, Diallo. Subs: Bass, Wright, Matete, Michut, BA, Bennette, Roberts Injured: Huggins, Ballard, Stewart, Alese, Gooch Luton Horvath; Bree, Lockyer, Bradley (C), Bell, Doughty; Campbell, Clark, Freeman; Morris, Adebayo. Subs: Isted, Potts, Cornick, Berry, Watson, Jerome, Lansbury Injured: Onyedinma Suspended: Osho Betting Odds: Sunderland 14/5 Luton 1/1 Draw 12/5 Prutton Predicts: 1-1 My two pence: After a home defeat to Burnley we could do with getting a result at Luton. The hatters were missing players last weekend and had been playing well in their last few games, beating QPR and Norwich. I’m going for a 2-2 draw. (This game is Sold Out) 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
Our last two recent meetings against these have ended 1-1 and I would settle for that but would prefer 0-1 to us. Big test of how the lads react to last weekend and will tell us a lot about how TM can garner his squad. Safe travel to those attending, top marks again RTB, HTL.
Tough game and again, hard to fancy us for a result. Will we see a response after last weeks pathetic second half showing? 3 points above the relegation zone currently… It’s about time some of this squad showed up and started performing. What’s the odds on Mowbray bringing Bennette and Ba on around the 70th minute mark, regardless of the scoreline or game situation? High I’d say. Hopefully I’m left surprised and we actually turn up this week.
Looks like Mowbray will stick with o9 until Ballard is back, i would consider bringing in Wright , and give Neil a break and bring Matate.
RTB The result last week made me look foolish. As I thought if we got a couple of goals our defence was good and we would keep a clean sheet, or at the most concede 1 goal. Nor do I go along with the argument that Burnley were just too good, ie Premier v league 1 side etc. We were awful 2nd half, talk about jekyll and Hyde. So I cannot in good faith even predict a score line. I just want us to win
Tough game but I think we will nick this 1-2, especially if we have Simms back in the squad. If he is available I'd start him and Amad from wide (assuming Roberts is out). Great thread and safe travels everyone. KTF
They put it about a bit do Luton, so if we yield to their physicality we'll struggle. You never know mind, but I'd be happy with a draw.
We have to get something, I dont think we will though, that 2nd half last week was a real eye opener for me. We need players back quickly to make a big difference. Glad Simms is back but he will probably need games in the tank. I think we will get beat 2-0. Thanks RTB for another cracking thread.
Cracking thread RTB Im predicting a draw - hope we will win and expect an ugly game. Im with Prehab here - not fussed about performance....its the result that matters Hawaaaaaaay
I don’t rate Simms massively but we’re desperate for a proper forward to be on the pitch, we need an out ball. Here’s hoping he’s fit enough to start…
Great thread again RTB. we need a performance from the lads to do it justice, and I think they just might. OaU.
A draw'll do. It feels like the momentum has stalled so we've got to get it rolling again. It was always going to be about picking up points where we could with the two strikers out.
putting the best teams out against Huddersfield and Cardiff are more important with both them below us, be great to get 7 points from the next 3 games.
