Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Reading FC – Saturday 11th February 2023 - KO 15:00

Sunderland host Reading in the Championship at the Stadium of Light
Last time out Sunderland lost to Fulham and Reading drew with Watford.
Goals from Jack Clarke and Jewison Bennette were not enough as Sunderland lost 2-3 to Premier League Fulham.
Striker Joffy Gelhadt is expected to return up front after being ruled out of the FA cup game.
Dennis Cirkin will not be in the squad for this game but Luke O’Nien and Alex Pritchard will be looking to start.
Embleton, Stewart, Evans & Gooch remain unavailable due to injury.
Reading are 16th in the league on 38 points.
The Royals came back from 2-0 down to rescue a point at home to Watford.
Paul Ince's side have struggled for wins in recent months, with just four in their past 18 league matches. Midfielder Mamadou Loum is out for this match having picked up his 10th yellow card of the season last Saturday. Andy Carroll could start after serving his one match ban.
Tony Mowbray:
“We've got to get through these last 17 league games with a pretty thin squad, and there will be days where people have to play out of position.
“That was the case for us tonight, and then we had to bring Dan Neil off because if he gets injured, who plays holding midfield? We needed to look after him and Patrick Roberts, because they're really important players for us.”
“Fulham are a wonderful team to watch. I love the way they play and how brave they are. Tom Cairney can’t get in their Premier League starting team, yet what a footballer.
“It was a great game for Dan Neil. He’s playing someone with power, quality, bravery and a great left foot – what a footballer. What a challenge for a 20-year-old kid who’s got to test himself. I think Dan is going to have a lot of years in the Premier League, hopefully with Sunderland.”
Paul Ince:
“In the first half, there was nothing between the two teams,” he began his assessment. “We probably had the better chances in fact, but a lack of concentration in the marking at the back and we come in at half-time 1-0 down.
“So I said to the lads at half-time, ‘stay in the game’. Let’s not go gung-ho, if there’s only one goal in it we’ve got a chance – especially at home in front of our fans.
“But again, we don’t mark in the box. And you’re thinking it’s going to be a long afternoon. I don’t want to be going 2-0 down at home again - against a team with their resources, who are so high in the table!
“However, sometimes this team has capitulated. This time, they didn’t. And that shows the spirit and the character of the players.

Match Appointments:
Referee: DAVID COOTE
Assistant Referees: Nick Hopton and Timothy Wood
Fourth Official: Sunny Singh Gill

Team Lineups:
Sunderland AFC: (4-2-3-1) Patterson, Alese, Batth, Ballard, Hume, Michut, Neil, Clarke, Roberts, Amad, Gelhardt.

Subs: Bass, O’Nien, Ba, Bennette, Ekwah, Pritchard, Lihadji
Injured: Embleton, Stewart, Evans, Gooch, Cirkin, Huggins.

Reading (4-2-3-1) Lumley, Yiadom, Mbengue , Holmes, McIntyre, Hoilett, Hendrick, Azeez, Ince, Casadei, Long
Subs: Bouzanis, Dann, Sarr, Guinness-Walker, Joao, Fornah, Meite, Carroll
Injured: Hutchinson, Moore, Tetek
Suspended: Loum

Betting Odds:
Sunderland 5/6 Reading 10/3 Draw 5/2

Prutton Predicts: 2-0

My two pence:
A good overall performance against Fulham and with a bit of luck we could have done better.
Reading were flying high earlier in the season when we played them but they’ve had a lot of injuries and have slipped down the table. They have not won any of their last five away games in all competitions.
I’m going for a 2-0 win.

Live Stream:
https://safc.com/news/team-news/live-video
(Overseas fans)

Ha’way the Lads

 

Another cracking thread and another interesting game to look forward to ...

... my first trip down, on the train, frae Fife.

 

Great stuff RTB and great to be back at the SoL so soon and back to the bread and butter. I think Joffy will come in for Ba and I've a sneaky feeling Onien may come in for Michut with the upcoming schedule in mind. Hopefully Hume is fit to play as he was limping a bit after the Fulham game, if not Onien may slot in at RB.
Ha'way the Lads

3-1. Gelhardt, Roberts and Neil.

 

@RTB - again another great summary. Going for a 4-1 Gelhardt x2, Diallo and Clarke

 

Hopefully it's worth the journey, a similar display to the away fixture would be ideal

 

It was a great saving tackle by Hume, I hope he's OK.
O'Nien and Pritchard will want to play so Tony will have a few decisions to make...

 

It would be great if Clarke scored another like that but, personally, I'd give him a rest and start him on the bench.

I'd think Gelhardt would benefit more from having Pritchard there ...

... Clarke is more selfish and doesn't always release the ball when he should.

 

Those new flags were class. The Bobby Gurney one is brilliant and so is that one of Onien. Great lad.

 

Just reading the comments, what was the crack with the Sunderland till I die and someone telling him to sign his seat incase he made it or summit?

Never watched the series couldn't bring myself to watch it but story rings a bell from people mentioning at the time?

 

Yeah - I'll see if I can find that clip

 

It was when the players helped change the seats. Canny funny tbh, hope RTB can find the clip.

 

I remember now I've seen the clip. I asked as I had a foggy memory of the clip but your explanation has reminded me!

 

Got a feeling in ma bones that we’re gonna batter em!!

4-1 HAWAY

Bart

 

Nice comments about Neil from Mowbray. It was a great learning experience for him and he also showed he can perform at that level, not bad for someone barely out of his teens. The way he's improved this season has been unreal.

Imagine how good he could be if he continues to improve rapidly in these formative years.

 

Yep, after the different challenges of Fulham, Millwall, Fulham, I’m hoping to see us focused, relaxed and playing as we can with total freedom. Solid at the back, great midfield and a newly discovered hero at center forward in Gelhardt.

 

you sexy MF SMASHING GIF

 

Another great match thread RTB thank you for the wonderful effort you always put in , so far a lot fancy 4-1 to the lads , sounds so to me so ill join that prediction i feel a spanking in the air