Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Saudi FC - Sunday 14th December 2025 - KO 14:00

Diarra won’t play.
Masuaku or Cirkin could return to the squad

https://youtube.com/shorts/NEE8uEpLhvs?si=hBWxUpAUaORMbeSF

 

we should postpone Leeds Man C Brentford and Spurs games if all 7 are called up

 

Hahaha just give ourselves a nice month-long break in the middle of the season, I can't see any issue with that. I'm sure the other teams will be perfectly happy with it, too

 

Monty off his chops again on a Monday morning.

 

Ya have said this before and much like last time we assume it's our choice! Without looking at if the club would even want to postpone, which they wouldn't as a month break is worse than playing the games with players missing, the club doesn’t have the final say they can only ask! And if they asked you can almost guarantee what the answer will be!

 

I’ve no doubt you’re right mate, some of our players are 100% African and zero 100% Mackem. We’re not like Mags who declare every player who does well ‘an adopted Geordie’ after one season.

These players often carry the hopes & dreams of their village, town or city on their shoulders, sometimes an entire country. The rivalry between two neighbouring African countries can be way more intense than we can imagine. I’m sure the club will maximise this opportunity by engaging African supporters who’ll come to see Sunderland as their second team and attract potential investors, sponsors, whatever. Our players will spread the good word and raise our profile even more.

And I’m sure we’ll have scouts, out there, targeting future stella signings …

… we can turn a temporary loss into a long lasting benefit.

The player’s contracts will, most likely, stipulate the conditions regarding participation for their country along with compensation, travel, etc.

In my opinion RLB will embrace all this as he has when ‘key players’ have been unavailable in the Championship, etc. I think we’ll see an adaptation of tactics, style and personnel to suit the games and who’s right for the task.

It might be the making of some players like Mayenda, Cirkin, Rigg, Neil, etc …

… not to mention our new January signings.

 

**** the Mags, murderers

 

Stick a fork in Neil
He's done.
The 09 substitution against Liverpool and City showed how far out of the picture he is.

 

You may well be right, about all those players including Neil ...

... I was just using them as examples tbf.

Ballard surprised a lot of people who said he wouldn't make the step up to the PL, so who knows.

 

That substitution had nothing to do with Neil considering O’Nien came on at LWB He’s definitely done here though, couldn’t get on the pitch when we had 2 central midfielders not able to make a challenge. Probably away in January, I wonder if he regrets not signing that new deal that was offered a long time ago…

 

3-2 and a subsequent fatwa for me

 

Stop talking sense man, its so confusing.

 

Any word on what kit the filth are wearing?

 

Magnificent work @RTB had a good chuckle at that.

**** this plastic club. I do retain my respect for the majority of their fanbase but the club as an entity means nothing to me nowadays. It doesn’t pain me when they do anything.

That said, it will pain me if we don’t get a result Sunday. It’s no David v Goliath, it’s more a tale of 2 paths. It will be electric and with Xhaka and Noah available we have nothing to fear at all going into it.

2-1 the lads and a nervy bastard afternoon. I can see them scoring first but we don’t fear that. We at our best when we fear the worst.

Tonali the man to stop and we need Noah stuck to him like a creep at a party. Let’s get at Burn and let’s play through the middle as they are slow at CB and we can exploit that.

No concerns after Saturday, we have outstanding CB who can handle their mainly one dimensional approach. Xhaka should be able to restrict Barnes runs and Nordi, Dan and Omar are physically ahead of their attacking lot.

Can’t ****ing wait.

On Diarra, I’d rather he went AFCON and got match sharp on someone else’s time.

 

Great thread as ever RTB. Really looking forward to the breakfast in the pub with the boy and the lads. Followed by a nervy 2-1 victory. Believe.

Hhhaaa'wwwwaaaaayyyyyy the lads

 

On Diarra, I like him from the little we have seen of him, but I've got a feeling he might need a warm coat when he gets back from AFCON as I think we might strengthen midfield and out wide right whilst he's away.

 

A horrible thought just struck me, it’s derby week and I’m barely thinking about it. By now my Mag family and mates would usually be sending texts and stuff, they’re not …

… and I’ve found myself feeling content with the idea of a point.

They’re a bigger established PL team, in the Champions League, any other team and a home draw would be fine, shame I used to love the entire week before the derby.

I hope I feel different by Sunday.

 

Is anybody wary of Gordon if Trai is marking him.
As good as Trai is he’s nowhere near as fast as Gordon.

Will Mucky be better marking him or even Mayender.

If it is Trai at RB I can see them targeting our right side.
Maybe giving Gordon a Trai special early on might keep him quiet but man on man Trai will never keep up with him.

 

Doubling up on him early on would possibly be a solution, I would settle for a point now tbh, but I would be ecstatic with all 3 which has to be the aim. Keeping calm amid all the hype is probably just as important as marking Gordon. Easier said than done but we need to keep our heads , especially against the Saudis.
PS RTB's humour must be infectious.