Match Day Thread Sporting CP v Sunderland AFC - Monday 21st July 2025 - KO 20:00

Nads · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:10 PM

Iptv said: ↑

Sporting tv started their coverage if you understand Portuguese
Click to expand...

Oui.

Teessidemackem · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:12 PM

Ayrton said: ↑

I’d preferred seeing young in goal, be a good test this
Click to expand...

He's meant to be going to Salford again last i heard

ab65 · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:12 PM

safcfansofaraway said: ↑

View attachment 368138 Not sure if this is the best place for this, I don’t want to derail your thread RTB but here we go.

Enjoyed a great afternoon/evening training session and ’meet and greet’ with the players, staff and management yesterday.

The training was intense and impressive with a temperature in the shade of 30c.

The lads look super fit and the team spirit was great and very obvious with lots of obvious banter between the players.

After the session the players mingled with us and were very friendly and happy to chat and have photos taken.

Photo above is my partner with Enzo, after a hug for the photo she told him he was very sweaty, naturally he apologised , what a gentleman.

I had the opportunity to have a good chat with Kristjaan Speakman, we’ve already seen massive progress with the squad but there’s still more to come, he’s been out of the country for nearly two weeks, still working on the squad. It’s obvious from what he said that he still has a big role to play in recruitment.

David Bruce gave a little speech to us at the barbecue afterwards. He’s a very impressive guy and totally SAFC. We know that there are big improvements being carried out at the SOL, he said, we’re spending more on these improvements than anything since the stadium was built.

He also said that there is tremendous pressure on him and the senior management to absolutely maximise every revenue stream so that they can hand the proceeds to Kristjaan and Florent to improve the squad, a pressure that’s amplified by qualifying via the play offs.

In speaking to him personally I was very impressed by his passion for the club and his understanding of what it means to us, he emphasised that only the very best is acceptable in every department, his philosophy and that of Kyril.

Kristjaan also talked about up scaling every thing at the club to meet and exceed Premier League standards.

He also said that that although there are already over eighty members of the on field operations staff, there are still a lot of positions to be filled once they can recruit the best people.

I also had a good conversation with Steve Wood , head of safety, who talked about the organisation at the club and how it has massively changed and grown in the past three years, with a big boost this summer because of promotion.

My overriding feeling after this event confirms what I already thought in that there’s a massive community feeling about the club and a commitment to engage fully with the supporters, the city , local businesses.

Kyril is not here for the fun of it, every decision he makes is about building the club to be competitive at the top end of the Premier League but to do it in a way that is sustainable to guarantee the club’s future.

As part of the process he has, and continues to bring in the very best people to support him.

One comment my partner made was that the club didn’t feel like it was filled with suits, just real football people with a shared passion for SAFC

One tiny bit of ITK, although Chris Rigg has recovered from his niggle, he won’t feature in tonight’s game.

Oh, and the stadium will be extended, probably already known by many.

One last thing, many have said we just need to get promoted then if we go back down we will be in a stronger financial position. That is definitely not the way Kyril and his team are thinking, yes safeguards are in place if that should happen, but the plan is most definitely to stay in the Premier League and build from there.

David Bruce said he’s looking forward to our first European trip with his mates, it won’t be long!
Click to expand...

Lost for words with that post mate. Just stunning. Thank you.

SISAO33 · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM

So its looking like thats reggies first choice midfield 3 (atm)

Bucky1989 · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:14 PM

Found one but I think it was a fan playing fifa as they had Patto in goal an LoN in defence

Southern A · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM

I assume Huggins is just not being risked for 2 games in 72 hours rather than any sort of niggle.

Nads · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM

safcfansofaraway said: ↑

View attachment 368138 Not sure if this is the best place for this, I don’t want to derail your thread RTB but here we go.

Enjoyed a great afternoon/evening training session and ’meet and greet’ with the players, staff and management yesterday.

The training was intense and impressive with a temperature in the shade of 30c.

The lads look super fit and the team spirit was great and very obvious with lots of obvious banter between the players.

After the session the players mingled with us and were very friendly and happy to chat and have photos taken.

Photo above is my partner with Enzo, after a hug for the photo she told him he was very sweaty, naturally he apologised , what a gentleman.

I had the opportunity to have a good chat with Kristjaan Speakman, we’ve already seen massive progress with the squad but there’s still more to come, he’s been out of the country for nearly two weeks, still working on the squad. It’s obvious from what he said that he still has a big role to play in recruitment.

David Bruce gave a little speech to us at the barbecue afterwards. He’s a very impressive guy and totally SAFC. We know that there are big improvements being carried out at the SOL, he said, we’re spending more on these improvements than anything since the stadium was built.

He also said that there is tremendous pressure on him and the senior management to absolutely maximise every revenue stream so that they can hand the proceeds to Kristjaan and Florent to improve the squad, a pressure that’s amplified by qualifying via the play offs.

In speaking to him personally I was very impressed by his passion for the club and his understanding of what it means to us, he emphasised that only the very best is acceptable in every department, his philosophy and that of Kyril.

Kristjaan also talked about up scaling every thing at the club to meet and exceed Premier League standards.

He also said that that although there are already over eighty members of the on field operations staff, there are still a lot of positions to be filled once they can recruit the best people.

I also had a good conversation with Steve Wood , head of safety, who talked about the organisation at the club and how it has massively changed and grown in the past three years, with a big boost this summer because of promotion.

My overriding feeling after this event confirms what I already thought in that there’s a massive community feeling about the club and a commitment to engage fully with the supporters, the city , local businesses.

Kyril is not here for the fun of it, every decision he makes is about building the club to be competitive at the top end of the Premier League but to do it in a way that is sustainable to guarantee the club’s future.

As part of the process he has, and continues to bring in the very best people to support him.

One comment my partner made was that the club didn’t feel like it was filled with suits, just real football people with a shared passion for SAFC

One tiny bit of ITK, although Chris Rigg has recovered from his niggle, he won’t feature in tonight’s game.

Oh, and the stadium will be extended, probably already known by many.

One last thing, many have said we just need to get promoted then if we go back down we will be in a stronger financial position. That is definitely not the way Kyril and his team are thinking, yes safeguards are in place if that should happen, but the plan is most definitely to stay in the Premier League and build from there.

David Bruce said he’s looking forward to our first European trip with his mates, it won’t be long!
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing mate. Brilliant read.

Bucky1989 · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM

Southern A said: ↑

I assume Huggins is just not being risked for 2 games in 72 hours rather than any sort of niggle.
Click to expand...

If he can stay fit would be like a new signing

Washysafc · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM

Bucky1989 said: ↑

Found one but I think it was a fan playing fifa as they had Patto in goal an LoN in defence
Click to expand...

Yes saw those but no live live game steam, might come up later

Bucky1989 · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:16 PM

Washysafc said: ↑

Yes saw those but no live live game steam, might come up later
Click to expand...

Think they came available from 1945 so will post as soon as I can

Washysafc · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:17 PM

Might have to pay for the club stream.

Just paid.

Snaggey · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM

safcfansofaraway said: ↑

View attachment 368138 Not sure if this is the best place for this, I don’t want to derail your thread RTB but here we go.

Enjoyed a great afternoon/evening training session and ’meet and greet’ with the players, staff and management yesterday.

The training was intense and impressive with a temperature in the shade of 30c.

The lads look super fit and the team spirit was great and very obvious with lots of obvious banter between the players.

After the session the players mingled with us and were very friendly and happy to chat and have photos taken.

Photo above is my partner with Enzo, after a hug for the photo she told him he was very sweaty, naturally he apologised , what a gentleman.

I had the opportunity to have a good chat with Kristjaan Speakman, we’ve already seen massive progress with the squad but there’s still more to come, he’s been out of the country for nearly two weeks, still working on the squad. It’s obvious from what he said that he still has a big role to play in recruitment.

David Bruce gave a little speech to us at the barbecue afterwards. He’s a very impressive guy and totally SAFC. We know that there are big improvements being carried out at the SOL, he said, we’re spending more on these improvements than anything since the stadium was built.

He also said that there is tremendous pressure on him and the senior management to absolutely maximise every revenue stream so that they can hand the proceeds to Kristjaan and Florent to improve the squad, a pressure that’s amplified by qualifying via the play offs.

In speaking to him personally I was very impressed by his passion for the club and his understanding of what it means to us, he emphasised that only the very best is acceptable in every department, his philosophy and that of Kyril.

Kristjaan also talked about up scaling every thing at the club to meet and exceed Premier League standards.

He also said that that although there are already over eighty members of the on field operations staff, there are still a lot of positions to be filled once they can recruit the best people.

I also had a good conversation with Steve Wood , head of safety, who talked about the organisation at the club and how it has massively changed and grown in the past three years, with a big boost this summer because of promotion.

My overriding feeling after this event confirms what I already thought in that there’s a massive community feeling about the club and a commitment to engage fully with the supporters, the city , local businesses.

Kyril is not here for the fun of it, every decision he makes is about building the club to be competitive at the top end of the Premier League but to do it in a way that is sustainable to guarantee the club’s future.

As part of the process he has, and continues to bring in the very best people to support him.

One comment my partner made was that the club didn’t feel like it was filled with suits, just real football people with a shared passion for SAFC

One tiny bit of ITK, although Chris Rigg has recovered from his niggle, he won’t feature in tonight’s game.

Oh, and the stadium will be extended, probably already known by many.

One last thing, many have said we just need to get promoted then if we go back down we will be in a stronger financial position. That is definitely not the way Kyril and his team are thinking, yes safeguards are in place if that should happen, but the plan is most definitely to stay in the Premier League and build from there.

David Bruce said he’s looking forward to our first European trip with his mates, it won’t be long!
Click to expand...

What a brilliant post.
Thanks for taking the time to write that, much appreciated.

Southern A · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM

this game is only £5.99 vs £6.99 the other night. Either a mistake or they didn't get enough sales last time...

LD19SAFC · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM

SISAO33 said: ↑

So its looking like thats reggies first choice midfield 3 (atm)
Click to expand...

Not surprised tbh. Neil was poor for large spells last season and he’s yet to sign a contract…

Iptv · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:23 PM

Washysafc said: ↑

Yes saw those but no live live game steam, might come up later
Click to expand...

Coverage not starting till 1955 they want to watch corrie

Scout73 · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:23 PM

Southern A said: ↑

I assume Huggins is just not being risked for 2 games in 72 hours rather than any sort of niggle.
Click to expand...

Yeah i reckon so, probably feeling it after training this week and a game

Unless they wanted some more experience in the 2nd half and hes playing that but reckon he'll just be rested

Hopefully young gets the 2nd half but pleased for Blondy getting a start, I heard he's really well liked by the lads and has a great work ethic

Nads · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:26 PM

Scout73 said: ↑

Yeah i reckon so, probably feeling it after training this week and a game

Unless they wanted some more experience in the 2nd half and hes playing that but reckon he'll just be rested

Hopefully young gets the 2nd half but pleased for Blondy getting a start, I heard he's really well liked by the lads and has a great work ethic
Click to expand...

3rd keepers have such a big, underrated role.

Southern A · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:37 PM

how good a team do Sporting have out?

Chunksafc · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:38 PM

Southern A said: ↑

how good a team do Sporting have out?
Click to expand...

: Rui Silva, Matheus Reis, Gonçalo Inácio, Zeno Debast, Eduardo Quaresma, Morita, Hjulmand, Pote, Trincão, Quenda e Conrad Harder

Nads · Jul 21, 2025 at 7:43 PM

Chunksafc said: ↑

: Rui Silva, Matheus Reis, Gonçalo Inácio, Zeno Debast, Eduardo Quaresma, Morita, Hjulmand, Pote, Trincão, Quenda e Conrad Harder
Click to expand...

Close to full strength.

Match Day Thread Sporting CP v Sunderland AFC - Monday 21st July 2025 - KO 20:00

Your Prediction:

Sunderland win

Sporting win

Draw

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Match Day Thread Sporting CP v Sunderland AFC - Monday 21st July 2025 - KO 20:00

Your Prediction:

Sunderland win

Sporting win

Draw

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