Game #19 sees our battle weary Bluebirds travel 300 miles plus, up to the North East to go and visit Sunderland at the Stadium of Light following a toughly fought mid-week reverse at home to promotion chasing Watford. We visit the Black Cats during a period where their form has been nearly as patchy as our own, with just 2 wins and a draw in their last 6 games. On their home turf, Sunderland have only lost twice so far this season, but winning also appears to be an issue with just 2 wins in their 8 home games thus far, leaving them standing 3 points and 6 positions (12th) better off than the Bluebirds. Sunderland of course are managed by wily old Tony Mowbray, who has an absolute wealth of experience at many levels of football, with him taking on the role from Alex Neil who decided to leave the Mackems for the potteries and Stoke City instead (still don't understand why anyone would make that jump!?). They are a side that boasts some good experience at this level with the likes of Alex Pritchard, Lyndon Gooch and Luke O'Nien all regular starters in midfield. Up front the dangermen are clearly Ross Stewart (5 in 7) and Jack Clark (4 in 17), with the returning Ellis Sims also contributing (3 in 8). Defensively, Danny Baath has been a mainstay, and former Wurzle Bailey Wright has come back into the team, clocking up his 100th appearance for the Wearsiders. Sunderland have been absent from the Championship for some time, meaning the last time we met up North, was back in January 2018, with the Bluebirds running out 1-2 victors, with goals coming from Craig Bryson and a late Joe Ralls penalty. Overall in the fixtures between us, the Bluebirds have the upper hand by some margin, with 27 victories to 21 and 17 games drawn. Joe Ralls was delighted to learn that he'd won a Craig Bryson toy in the guess the weight competition at Sunderland... Ken Zahore was gutted to miss out on his Junior Hoilett prize though. Early Bluebirds Team News Could it actually happen?? Rubin Colwill may finally be ready for a return to the first team fray it seems after coming through some training sessions unscathed. It's likely a place on the bench awaits the youngster but it will be a welcome return if he does make it onto the team sheet. Isaac Davies and Ebou Adams though are apparently unlikely to return until after the World Cup break. After another find showing in mid-week, Jaden Philogene is expected to retain his place, so with Callum Robinson serving the last of his 3 game ban, an unchanged line up from midweek could be on. Prutton Predicts After their reverse at home, the Sky man is yet again (is that something like 6 in a row now??) tipping the Bluebirds for a defeat, yet again by a 2-0 scoreline. The bookies too appear to favour defeat for Hudson's boys, with the away win the least likely result; Home Win 6/5 Draw 11/5 Away Win 12/5 Sharing The Love Some big names and big personalities on the list for this one. Micheal Chopra who had vowed never to pull on a Sunderland shirt previously.... Len Ashurst (and his bushy eyebrows) managing both teams. Glenn Loovens, one of our many outstanding central defenders of recent times. However, I wanted to do a small piece on a player that I only have fleeting memories of, as his time with us was finishing just as I was getting to go to Ninian Park, but one who's name I always looked out for after he left us, that being Gary Bennett. Gary & Dave Bennett in action for the Bluebirds on a pristine Ninian Park pitch. Joining Cardiff in 1981, he helped steer us to promotion from the Third Division in the 82-83 season, clocking up 36 appearances and chipping in with 8 goals along the way. Gary left us in 1984, following Len Ashurst to Roker Park. Gary would go on to amass 427 appearances for the Black Cats. There was a really good article a little while back about him and his brother Dave here: https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/city-history-player-focus-dave-gary-bennett So, can the Bluebirds triumph again v the Black Cats? Will we Mackem regret coming up against us?? Will we wear the Wearsiders down with our posession based game??? All I know is Tweety's cousin Bartley has already dealt a knockout blow for the Bluebirds v the Black Cats.... Bloooooobirds!!
Are we playing again? Only just finished one didn't we? Fab thread intro Brizzle - as always. Time to tell Mrs Brizzle that she's living with a creative genius and that she has to attend to your every need, whim and desire. (If she asks who suggested this, tell her it was a bloke from Porthcawl). I can't figure out how we'll do in this one. Sunderland have settled in easily to the inconsistency of the championship. One thing is for certain, if we're to get anything from the game, we're going to have to score as I'm certain the Black Cats will. We need to try and play for 90 minutes in the same way as we start games.
As a sideline to the thread, always a decent crowd at Sunderland even when in League One for a few seasons. I see they've been posting attendances of 37K recently which made me have a look at our official attendance for the Watford game on Wednesday - they've posted an OA of 17,000. There was no way there were 17K in there - probably somewhere between 10K and 12K tops would be my guess. I realise they max it up with the ST holders whether attending or not, but that's very misleading and not a true reflection on the actual stadium support. Incidentally, I'm not John Hughes having a go at anyone for not going that night. I had serious doubts when it was chucking it down here late afternoon/early evening. During the game it was actually OK, it was just the result that was bad.
Sunderland fan in peace.I always read the away fans thread before a game...and hats off to Brizzle. Great thread, very inventive and really like the sharing the love bit. I never knew Trevor Ford played for both, nor Gary Bennet. I hope the travelling fans have a good day out- except for the result of course. Good luck for the rest of the season
Yep. We're very privileged to Brizzle as our resident word maestro. Good to see you guys on the up again and I'm sure the chairmen of every championship club is pleased to see you in the league. Always good to hear from fans of other clubs.
Have a look at some other threads. Our Brizzle is a star!!! Mrs Brizzle is a bit suss but he seems to love her and puts up with her strange ways. Thank you for the wishes for our travelling fans. Of course we hope for more than you wish to offer in terms of a result but we shall see. But I do hope you guys stay up....have a strange soft spot for you.
Good fans Cardiff, always preferred you lot to Swansea. Safe travels to those of you making journey up and looking forward to a good game.
Cheers Malaga. Sadly I've never managed to make my way up to Sunderland in all my years but the Mackems I have encountered in passing have always been decent folks. It's good to see you guys back at Championship level. You've been in League 1 far too long. Good loyal fan base up there for sure .
Never been to the Stadium of Light but being the old git that I am, I can remember going to Roker in the 60's with my dad. Think it ended 3-3 and I have it in my head that Ivor Allchurch got a couple. Sticks in my mind how loud the Sunderland fans were. Loud but good people and very welcoming.
Sunderland beating Leeds in 73 one of my favourite footballing memories. Still can reel off the 2 teams as if it was yesterday.
Also never been to the SOL, but went to Roker a few times back in the 80's when I worked up that way. Perhaps shouldn't mention it on ths thread but also went to Ayresome whilst up there. It was the passion and noise of the fans in the grounds that always got to me - a real football hotbed. Maybe aslo appropriate to mention I never went to St. James Park though - is that a bonus for me Mackems?
No never went there either. Main source of football for two and a half years up there was Boothferry Park because of my local workmates - what a shed that was.
