Sunderland continue their pre-season campaign with a trip to Rotherham United on Saturday. The Lads played their first match of the new season on Wednesday evening against Hartlepool United, with Jermain Defoe inspiring the Black Cats to a comfortable 3-0 win. The England international scored twice in the opening 45 minutes with Wahbi Khazri also finding the net, before 11 changes at the break saw a youthful Sunderland side impress from back to front. Rotherham, meanwhile, have enjoyed an impressive start to pre-season defeating Parkgate 7-0 before beating Miedz Legnica and drawing against Gornik Zabrze during their tour of Poland. Saturday’s trip will be the Black Cats’ first to the New York Stadium following Rotherham’s move to their new arena in 2012 following a brief spell at the Don Valley Stadium. The Millers boast two Sunderland connections within their ranks with manager Alan Stubbs and new signing Greg Halford both turning out for the Black Cats. Stubbs, who made ten league appearances on Wearside, moved to the New York Stadium in May having guided Hibernian to their first Scottish Cup win in 114 years. Halford, 34, made just eight league appearances for Sunderland following a £2.5m move from Reading in 2007, but he failed to settle and moved to Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United on loan before departing permanently in 2009. John O’Shea and Seb Larsson will once again be unavailable due to their Euro 2016 exploits, but the duo will be in action in France with the Black Cats flying overseas on Sunday. Saturday’s game will be Sunderland’s final domestic pre-season outing of the season. ................. No SA distractions now. Up against one of the mags main challengers for the much coverted championship title this season. Expect Moyes will be taking a keen interest and taking notes on his future stars.
Dont forget.. For the first time ever, Sunderland fans will be able to watch all the club's pre-season friendlies, for free, on the club's official website. Following on from Wednesday night's broadcast of the Hartlepool game, our complimentary service returns this weekend for the trip to Rotherham (Saturday 23rd July, KO 3pm). >> Watch live at safc.com/live Simon Crabtree will be joined in the commentary box by former Sunderland and Rotherham man Michael Proctor. And Simon will then team up with Sunderland captain Kevin Ball as we bring you full live coverage of the games against FC Stade Nyonnais, Dijon FCO and Montpellier HSC. The pre-season programme will be rounded off with live coverage of the final friendly, against German giants Borussia Dortmund at the Cashpoint Arena. To watch all the games, simply head to http://www.safc.com/live. There's no payment or registration required – just join us and watch! The broadcasts are only available in the UK and Ireland due to rights restrictions. However, a worldwide stream of all the games except Dortmund will also be available on the website of principal club partners, Dafabet, for fans in the rest of the world.
2 good posts these and seems likely that Moyes will be our next manager despite my reservations he has all my backing he may even ressurrect Rodwell's form. Now to see us perform well in America - -
A number of changes have been made to the Sunderland side that ran out 3-0 winners in the team's first pre-season outing on Wednesday night v Hartlepool United. Jordan Pickford starts the game at Rotherham United, with full-back Josh Robson also starting against the Millers. Wednesday night’s goal scorers Jermain Defoe and Wahbi Khazri line up in the Black Cats attack at the New York Stadium. Youngsters Joel Asoro and Max Stryjex have travelled with the squad and are named on the bench today. Sunderland: Pickford, J Robson, Kone, Kaboul, van Aanholt, Rodwell, Lens, N'Zogbia, Khazri, Borini, Defoe. Substitutes: Mannone, Ledger, Gooch, E.Robson, T. Robson, Honeyman, Greenwood, Asoro, Watmore, Stryjek.
I'm happy to see we're blending youth with experience for this game. Wasn't keen in the 1st half Seniors 2nd half youngsters that we did against pools. Glad Bracewell has picked Pickford and Robson. I would have played another youngster further up the pitch though. Greenwood or Gooch.
Huge difference wasn`t there? Was pleased to see the seniors looking well up for it though. Good to see the kids getting a serious look at. Some promise there and maybe not too far away.
There was a massive difference. A blend is defo the way to go for these friendlies imo. The 2nd half gave a taste of what the JP Trophy will be like. It will be tough for the kids. But a few in the seniors should be able to hold their own.
Yep. N'Zogbia has just gone close with a free kick from distance. I don't even like N'Zogbia but he's playing well out there.
