Sunderland Vs Swansea City Official Sunderland Not606 Match Thread please log in to view this image In this most dramatic of Premier League seasons who would have thought Sunderland would take to the field in their final game already assured of their top-flight status? Probably not even Gus Poyet. The Sunderland boss looked a forlorn figure after their home defeat against Everton just four weeks ago when they were seven points adrift. He, now infamously, stated they required divine intervention and the miracle worker has since written a sensational script. They've recorded 12 points from the last 12 available after only taking 12 from the previous 14 games. Since the beginning of April only champions-elect Manchester City have gained more points; that's how impressive a run it has been. No one saw it coming. It will go down as the greatest of great escapes and it will be a carnival atmosphere at the Stadium of Light. Then the attention will turn to moving the club forward, as Poyet said in the aftermath of their midweek win over West Brom, and to making sure matters are more comfortable and positive for next season. Like Poyet, Garry Monk has completed the mission he was set when he stepped into the breach at Swansea. Survival with two games to spare represents success, given the situation when he succeeded Michael Laudrup and his lack of managerial experience. He was a natural leader as a player and has looked comfortable in charge of the team ever since winning his first match against Cardiff. Fifteen points from 39 is his record, and the three-year-deal he signed this week will bring stability and time for him to implement his mark and ideas. He will be helped next season by the fact there won't be the distraction of the Europa League, and hopefully by having Michu involved far more often, although keeping hold of Wilfried Bony will be one of his main targets this summer. Both would have looked at this fixture weeks ago and dreaded the scenario of needing something from it. Now they can relax. Match Appointments REFEREE: Chris Foy ASST. REF. 1: S Burt ASST. REF. 2: M Wilkes 4TH OFFICIAL: M Jones Sunderland Team News Sunderland boss Gus Poyet will ring the changes for the visit of Swansea with their Premier League survival already secured. Sebastian Larsson and Lee Cattermole both have knocks and could make way in as many as four changes. Swansea Team News Swansea forward Michu is a doubt because of an ongoing ankle problem. Angel Rangel could also be absent with the groin injury which ruled him out of last week's defeat against Southampton. Head to Head please log in to view this image EPL Form please log in to view this image This Seasons Reverse Fixture please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Last Season's Corresponding Fixture please log in to view this image What the 'Experts' Say please log in to view this image Lawrenson I cannot speak highly enough of what Gus Poyet has done since taking charge at Sunderland in October. He has turned around everything at the club: from morale in the dressing room to results on the pitch. Connor Wickham has provided the impetus for their recovery with his burst of goals. Poyet tried many players in many formations before he tried him, but Wickham has clicked and made a real difference. A few weeks ago, Black Cats fans probably thought they would be down by now but now they are saying: "Relegation? what relegation?" It is an incredible achievement by Poyet to have kept them up. Swansea, who are also safe, have appointed Garry Monk as their permanent manager, maybe because he gets on better with the board than somebody such as Michael Laudrup did. Monk is still very inexperienced and he has only done OK as a boss so far - his results have been no better than that. He will be hoping the rumours that Wilfried Bony is going to leave the club in the summer do not have any truth in them, because the Ivory Coast striker will be very difficult to replace. Lawro's prediction: 2-1 Merson I think Sunderland will finish on a high after staying up. If Gus Poyet asks the players who wants to play on Sunday, then they will all want to - and I'm not sure he'd have got the same answer six weeks ago! I think they will win the game, but I'm glad to see Garry Monk get the full-time job at Swansea. You want to see British managers getting chances because we always moan when they're overlooked, so fair play to Swansea. I don't know the bloke, but he can only get better by being in the job and I'm pleased for him. PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 Stats n Facts Head-to-head Sunderland's 4-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture was Gus Poyet's first game in charge - all four goals came in the second half. Three of the five Premier League meetings have been draws. Swansea have only won one of their 11 league games at Sunderland (L7, D3). Sunderland Sunderland's 4-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture made it their worst-ever start to a Premier League season (L7, D1). They became only the fourth Premier League team to record one point from their opening eight games. Two of the previous three went down (Man City 1996, Sheffield Wednesday 2000), while one (Southampton 1999) survived. The Black Cats have named the same starting XI in their last five Premier League games - the only team to have done so this season. Sunderland sealed a fourth-successive Premier League victory for the first time since December 2000 in midweek. They have not won five successive Premier League games since October 1999. They have taken 13 points from the last 15 available, having taken 0 from the previous 15. Swansea Swansea are guaranteed to record their worst Premier League points tally this season regardless of the result (previous lowest was 46). Three of their last five games have ended in 1-0 defeats. Swansea (five) have won fewer league games than Sunderland (seven) this year. The Swans have not won any of their last 11 Premier League games on a Sunday (L7, D4). Wilfried Bony has scored four goals in his last three games. Betting please log in to view this image Links http://www.safc.com/fans/visiting-fans Streaming http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=257299&part=sports
Thanks Bri, not being cocky but 15 points from a possible 39? Gus the skunk slayer 37 from 30 hehe bloody legend mate!
Great final thread! Just a warning to anyone thinking of going ...... I couldn't get 2 tickets together for any part of the ground, must be around 1000 left.
the talk is that gus is going to rotate and give some of the fringe players a game. this for me would be a mistake. we should stick with the squad that has served us so well recently and push for the highest place finish we can achieve
Catts and Larsson have been playing with knocks apparently, so thats 2 changes already. apparently could be 2 more. Alitidore to start I think would be the 3rd change, Bardo back at full back for the 4th?
I think Ba will come in to at least start the match. Scocco could come in either at the expense of Connor or alongside him. I think Connor has proven to every SAFC supporter he Deffo has got what it takes to be a premiership player so maybe he could be benched to come on later. Depending on the Borini situation, please sign Fabio, as to going or staying Jozy might also get a last chance although for me that time has come and gone. Shame tho. If AJ is going Mavrias might get on as well. Tbh I couldn't care were safe and I'm looking forward to whatever happens. A win would be a bonus.
Cant take the foot off the gas now, if I was Short I would say to him every place higher he gets on Sunday he will add it to the transfer chest!!!
Bri. Really appreciate your efforts with these match threads all season. Some may have been an inferior quality yarn - shoddy one might say - but you do try. Just taking the piss man, somebody has to. Top fella, Cheers. World cup match threads in the summer?
I fancy 3 points here, Swansea on their holidays already Would be massive to finish 12th after the season we've had
Up saturday 2 adults and 2 kids 15 year olds. Looking for a pint before the game and a bite to eat. Also quiet pub for food and drink saturday night. By the way, the way we have been playing you will only have to turn up. At least we beat 1 side from the north east. twice in fact.
If it was me I'd park on the seafront, excellent beach, and drink in the Harbour View ... big TV's, good atmosphere and a 'restaurant' upstairs. Give yourself about 20/30 minutes to walk to the SOL. By the time you get back to the car, after the match, it'll be quiet enough to eat there .
That is a good shout smug ^ Life of riley is canny in the town centre aswell, decent scran and canny pint, depends where your staying i guess Where are u staying left foot?
