Finding the build up a bit tedious now. Journos, YouTubers etc have rehashed and regurgitated everything you could possibly write about a game of football for the last week or so and I'm just wanting the game itself now.
Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Saudi FC - Sunday 14th December 2025 - KO 14:00
- Thread starter RTB
- Start date
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I guess my stance comes from a) how I see them as a club (owned and run by a murderous regime and have very little to do with the North East anymore) and b) I don't have any mags in my life anymore - I don't work in the region, I'm cut off from my in-laws and the mag elements in my family (nowt to do with football, just one of those things) so if the worst happened and we lost, I'd just turn off social media for a couple of days then move on with the rest of my life.
I remember standing, looking out at the pitch before the Coventry game and feeling nervous. Then I reminded myself that these occasions are why we love football and they are to be embraced and cherished. Whatever happens on Sunday, it's a ****ing long way away from losing 1-3 at home to Lincoln, or watching Coleman's team fart their way into the 3rd tier.
Yeah I can't wait but there's always room for one more...
Derek is ****ting himself
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I suppose this match probably means more to us than the skunks, after our sojourn in the lesser divisions... it will be a yardstick of how far we have come, playing a champion league side !
I will gloss over the performance v them in the cup game, plus the insulting way the management altered the stadium
But I will dwell on our league record against them before our fall from grace.
We need a win!
I will gloss over the performance v them in the cup game, plus the insulting way the management altered the stadium
But I will dwell on our league record against them before our fall from grace.
We need a win!
I’m with you on this! I’m very nervous. I wasn’t in the slightest bit nervous about the FA Cup game. There was literally nothing in that for me at the time. And I was completely over the defeat before I got out of the stadium. That’s the only time I’ve ever been relaxed about playing them
cheers RTB great effort as ever I’m home for this one and well up for it but saying that I’m not getting carried away,the scum at work never said a word there nervous I’m hoping for a win but won’t be disappointed with a draw but a loss dose not enter the equation COME ON
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Whiteboard update, FTM
To be fair the only thing that was changed was what the Mags could see, made no difference to me. We had no say in their allocation and, in my opinion, it was little different to when we go to away grounds, SJP included, and hang flags everywhere.
Since the season began I’ve marvelled at some of the football we’ve played, against excellent teams, and been impressed with how much at home we are in the PL. We’ve competed well against Villa, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, etc, so there’s no reason we can’t do the same with a team currently below us.
I’m loving it all and really looking forward to watching us take on Newcastle. They keep trotting our silly ‘excuses’ like Ramsdale saying he can’t concentrate fully in games. Even if that’s mind games it’s pretty idiotic tbh. Why did Tonali have to even give an interview about how he’s happy at Newcastle ‘at the moment’ … daft and unnecessary.
Sunderland have all kinds of players now, for all kinds of situations …
… muscle, guile, pace, skill, etc. We don’t lack what we need and every player seems totally committed.
If we don’t win we’ll know we gave it our best shot, Ha’way the Lads!!!
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Wow, I didn’t realise it was reactive and intuitive, incredible mate …
… is it possible I can log in or would it be too complicated for an owld fella.
Some thoughts on the derby:
-We were expecting a relegation fight and now have a realistic chance of a comfy mid-table final position.
-Mags underperforming slightly.
-Mags under extra pressure due to Sunderland surprise league position.
-We're undefeated at home.
-Goalkeeper position a bit dodgy for them, either Ramsdale who hasn't convinced them or Pope just back from injury.
-They're not great at defending set pieces.
-We're done well from set pieces.
-They've conceded more than a few late goals this season.
-We seem to get stronger in the last 20 minutes of games when opponents are fading.
-Tonali, Elanga, Joe Linton, Gordon (scores pens only) all under scrutiny recently due to performance.
-3 games in a week.
-If they lose, it evokes the Fat Ashley era where they couldn't buy a win against us, increases pressure on Eddie.
-If we lose, we'll be gutted but the season has been so good so far, we'll be able to keep our chins up.
Prediction, 3-1 Sunderland, close game with end-to-end action but we are more clinical.
-We were expecting a relegation fight and now have a realistic chance of a comfy mid-table final position.
-Mags underperforming slightly.
-Mags under extra pressure due to Sunderland surprise league position.
-We're undefeated at home.
-Goalkeeper position a bit dodgy for them, either Ramsdale who hasn't convinced them or Pope just back from injury.
-They're not great at defending set pieces.
-We're done well from set pieces.
-They've conceded more than a few late goals this season.
-We seem to get stronger in the last 20 minutes of games when opponents are fading.
-Tonali, Elanga, Joe Linton, Gordon (scores pens only) all under scrutiny recently due to performance.
-3 games in a week.
-If they lose, it evokes the Fat Ashley era where they couldn't buy a win against us, increases pressure on Eddie.
-If we lose, we'll be gutted but the season has been so good so far, we'll be able to keep our chins up.
Prediction, 3-1 Sunderland, close game with end-to-end action but we are more clinical.
Nothing, and I mean nothing …
… is more certain to make me laugh out loud than that photo, a gift from God!
I’m still really calm about this one at the minute, have seen a few of the lads start to get the fire and nerves in the group chat this morning like.
I’ll finish work at 4, have a couple beers, then likely will start to feel it.
I just think the fact that we are legitimately a good side and can give anyone a game now is calming.
This will not apply once I hit Roker on Sunday like.
I’ll finish work at 4, have a couple beers, then likely will start to feel it.
I just think the fact that we are legitimately a good side and can give anyone a game now is calming.
This will not apply once I hit Roker on Sunday like.
Let’s just say I nearly ran out of red marker pen for the flag and my son rolled his eyes when he walked past and saw me scrawling
RLB:
No new injuries
Cirkin is ready, Diarra will train with the group next week
The decision is with the national team - if they want to select him (Diarra)
The main focus is to find the best version of Sunderland
We want to play our game
We have had good experiences at home - it has been loud and I expect it will be louder
The team uses this energy
We can be flexible as we have multiple options in our squad
We are exactly where we want to be it is exciting for the players and the fans
N*** are strong and there will be challenges
If we play like our first PL game it will be good
The energy of the squad is good
It's important for our players to understand the history of this game, we need to play the game at 100%
The crowd are really important for the players, they feel the energy from the crowd - the effect is MASSIVE
For us it's football and 11 v 11
We had our usually meeting this morning about the opponent and nothing different.
We came from the Championship, we are happy to play the best teams in the Premier League.
No new injuries
Cirkin is ready, Diarra will train with the group next week
The decision is with the national team - if they want to select him (Diarra)
The main focus is to find the best version of Sunderland
We want to play our game
We have had good experiences at home - it has been loud and I expect it will be louder
The team uses this energy
We can be flexible as we have multiple options in our squad
We are exactly where we want to be it is exciting for the players and the fans
N*** are strong and there will be challenges
If we play like our first PL game it will be good
The energy of the squad is good
It's important for our players to understand the history of this game, we need to play the game at 100%
The crowd are really important for the players, they feel the energy from the crowd - the effect is MASSIVE
For us it's football and 11 v 11
We had our usually meeting this morning about the opponent and nothing different.
We came from the Championship, we are happy to play the best teams in the Premier League.
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Great write up RTB. I'm getting nervous about this weekend but thats just because I work in Newcastle. The proper mag supporters who go to games who I work with are not to bad to be honest and they seem to be just as nervous and would happily take a point. The worst ones are the armchair fans who probably couldn't name half the team and they are cocky as ever. Would love a win just to clamp them up and put them back in their box. Hopefully their midweek game has taken it out of them and we get another 3 points on board.