Sunderland travel to Derby in the Championship. Last time out Sunderland drew at Burnley and Derby lost at home to Watford Sunderland handed a debut to Enzo Le Fée from the start with Aouchiche dropping to the bench. Burnley started on the front foot and dominated the first twenty minutes with some good play down the right wing. Sunderland worked their way back into the game without threatening the Claret’s goal. The Black Cats were a lot better in the second half and created a number of opportunities but failed to put them away. Wilson Isidor was the main culprit, hitting the post and having two penalties saved. Chris Mepham was replaced by Dan Ballard in the closing stages of the game but should be OK. Huggins, Mundle, Browne, Watson, Poveda & Alese remain on the injured list. Derby lost 2-0 at home to Watford, their 8th defeat in 11 games and are 1 point above the relegation places. Watford took the lead in the 4th minute but Derby did hit the woodwork 3 times before Kayembe sealed the win for the Hornets. Paul Warne is under pressure and the boos of Derby fans rang around Pride Park at full-time after their fifth successive defeat, which includes their FA Cup loss to League One Leyton Orient on penalties. Curtis Nelson has a knee injury and is unlikely to feature. The Rams have signed forward Lars-Jørgen Salvesen from Viking on a 2 1/2 year deal for around £1 million. Regis le Bris: “Our players made the decision on the pitch for Isidor to take the second penalty, and for me, that’s not an issue. “Football is like that - you can’t dwell or have regrets. “We created a lot of good chances, which is crucial. With such a young team, these experiences are vital for learning and growth. “It’s a good point away from home, but there’s disappointment because we deserved the win. “Ultimately, it’s still a point, and we’re showing consistency, which is key for us. “We need these experiences, both good and bad, to strengthen our connections. “This is when you see the character of the team, and we have a strong one, “They’re a good team, but we were very competitive. Now, we analyse and focus on the next game.” Press Conference: Paul Warne: "I could hear the frustration at the final whistle [with fans booing]. I understand that. I'm a big boy. "I didn't think we played that bad, to be fair. It's always about chances. You have to take your opportunities and I thought we had a really good opportunity in the first couple of minutes with Jerry - he hit the side netting and I'd normally expect him to score that. "They then score up at our end and the game was then edgy for 10-15 minutes. We didn't look that good and looked a little nervous. "I thought we had ascendancy in our play at the end of the first half. We created chances and didn't take them and hit the crossbar twice. "At half-time we told the lads to be a little more aggressive. I just think we looked softer than normal and they had real threat. "And the more you try push that goal, the more you are open to the counter-attack. They are a really athletic side that caused us no end of problems on the counter-attack and could have scored another couple." Form: Match Appointments Referee: SAM ALLINSON Assistant referees: Andrew Fox & Hristo Karaivanov Fourth official: Gavin Ward Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (4-3-3) Patterson, Cirkin, O’Nien, Mepham, Hume, Neil, Jobe, Le Fée, Aouchiche, Mayenda, Isidor Subs: Moore, Hjelde, Ballard, Samed, Rigg, Aleksic, Jones, Roberts, Ogunsuyi. Injured: Huggins, Browne, Mundle, Watson, Poveda, Alese. Derby: (4-2-3-1) Zetterström, Wilson, Nelson, Cashin, Elder, Goudmijn, Osborn, Jackson, Adams, Méndez-Laing, Yates. Subs: Barkhuizen, Blackett-Taylor, Brown, Collins, Forsyth, Harness, Thompson, Vickers, Ward. Injured: Nyambe Betting Odds: Sunderland 5/4 Derby 21/10 Draw 23/10 Prutton Predicts: meh My two pence: A great performance against Burnley but it could and really should have been a lot sweeter. Derby will be a very different kind of challenge, but we need to win this type of game to keep on track. Hopefully Warne is still in charge until Tuesday, I did see some of their fans asking to bring back Rooney or Lampard I’m going for a 2-0 away win. Live Stream: Live on Sky Sports+ https://www.safc.com/live Ha’way the Lads
Just gotta win to keep the pressure on those above us. Hope we don’t start slowly again. Fancy a fairly comfy 0-2. Bart
They’re in dreadful form, should be getting 3 points here, id back Wilson to bounce back and score too
Line up screams us being 2 up in the first half, we really should beat these well, we stood off them at home and still won comfortably. Watford beat them, we should annihilate them. Worried for Isidor, hopefully Mayenda can be relied upon. If we can take our first chance I think we will take them apart, our pace will murder them.
Fancy us to win this one. Would like to see Le Fee in the centre but I think Rigg might occupy that right side role. Either way, we should have more than enough to get the points. 0-3
Be disappointed if we don't win this one. Derby are really poor and I think Warne is a few defeats away from the sack. Couple of changes for me, would go with; Patterson Hume Ballard O'Nien Cirkin Le Fee Neil Jobe Roberts Isidor Aouchiche Should be able to dominate the ball and create chances at will. 0-4. Isidor 2, Le Fee and Roberts.
I'll state the bleeding obvious...We need to take our chances. If we do then we'll come home with the 3 points...safe travels for those going HTL.
Proper club with great support so it’s not going to be easy. We will need to work for this but I’m sure we will been getting better and better lately it’s going to really click soon and someone will get a hiding
Looking forward to this one, big chance to put a big score on the board. Wouldn't mind seeing Mayender starting alongside Wilson, but equally can Roberts enjoying himself or Rigg having an influence or Le Fee or Jobe or Adil.... the options are really good and I'm sure RLB will have an interesting plan for the set-up. 0-3 Wilson, Hume and Le Fee
I reckon it'll pretty much be the same team apart from ballard in for mepham I'd drop Rigg to the bench and start Adil, think it'll give us better balance moving Le Fee inside
It’s going to be tougher than people are suggesting. They lost at the weekend but did cause Watford problems and hit the woodwork a few times. Saying that it’s a game we should win. I’d bring in Adil for Rigg and move Le Fee central. Possibly Mayenda for Roberts. It wouldn’t surprise me if we went back to 442 for this one. We would still dominate the ball.
I don't believe Warne will be sacked before our game and they'll use a heavy Sunderland defeat as the reason. They were booed off the pitch, after losing to Watford, so the fans won't take much to get on his case. They play Cardiff away next weekend and I think he'd be asked to hand in his bobble hat before that. All of that depends on whether David Clowes thinks anyone could do better with a poor squad ... ... and if he believes Warne has 'lost the dressing room' as he appears to be losing the fans. Warne has been there a long time so perhaps the club will hope he toughs it out and keeps them up.
Mayenda in for Rigg. Le fee middle and Mayenda and Roberts wide. just think his power can cause these problems Isidor getting at least a brace for me
Cheers RTB mate. Another cracker. For once I am not in agreement with your team, but you may well have it right. I would keep it largely the same, and no changes if Mepham is fit. Chances are it is Mepham out Ballard in. I would keep Roberts in as he will be up against Elder who isnt up to much, or a very ageing Forsyth. Mendez Laing brings a threat down their left and Roberts is more switched on than Mayenda defensively. But ultimately I think we get joy by widening their pitch and making their two holding midfielders split. Rigg against Osborne could be a massive mismatch as well. The lad Gudmijn isnt a bad little player. Probably their main man. Eboue I do like, but he isnt technically great, just a lad that never gives you an inch. Fabulous attitude though. Should be all about us. None of the lads round here give them a chance against us. If we can get Rigg, Bellingham and Le Fee pushed in against Osborne and Eboue it should be a good night. Side note. Any of you in early my lads band are on the stadium playlist. I am sure that will drag you away from your pints
