Sunderland host Wycombe Wanderers in League One Last time out Sunderland beat Morecambe and Wycombe lost at Luton. The Black Cats return to the Stadium of Light full of confidence having won their last eight league and cup games. Watmore, Wyke, Robson, Cattermole and Hume remain unavailable through injury but are making good progress. Max Power is back in contention after he played in the win at Morecambe. Wycombe have picked up a few big wins lately and look to be kicking away from the relegation zone. Anything in the top 20 this season would be a terrific finish for Gareth Ainsworth and his men. This weekend’s fixture may also see former Chairboy Luke O’Nien face the club that he left over the summer. Ainsworth is aware of his qualities after an enjoyable three-year spell at Wycombe Jack Ross: ““Charlie is back on the pitch now, he is making progress but he is still three or four weeks away. That’s still ahead of schedule but it will be sooner than we first predicted. “ “Lee has not recovered as well as we’d have hoped. He won’t be available this weekend so we’re hoping that another period of rest will help him. “He’s really frustrated because he’d really like to be playing as he’s had such a good season to date. Ethan remains out for the next few weeks. “Other than that, Denver would’ve played in midweek, but had a slight reoccurrence and should be back in training next week.” “Duncan had a little bit of a niggle. It wasn’t anything related to his knee, but he missed a couple of days training. He joined back in today (Thursday) and hopefully after another full week he should be ready for some under-23 matches.” “We want to be at the top and it’s not by any means saying we have a divine right to be there, every league game is difficult, but to get to the top would be another step forward. We haven’t been there to date this season, so we want to get there and remain there." “Psychologically it would be another big boost for us. To get into the automatic places in the last few weeks has been pleasing and if we can go that extra place and start to lead from the front.” Gareth Ainsworth: “I saw Sunderland at Port Vale last week and they’re obviously a very strong team. Jack Ross is a great guy and he’s got them playing some excellent football and their record this season, and particularly in recent weeks, has been first class.” “We know that Sunderland are the favourites to win, but we’re going there hoping to ruin a few accumulators and show what we’re capable of. We’ve played well against some of the top teams so far this season, and even though Sunderland are on this fantastic run, we’ll be gutted if we don’t come away with anything because we always believe that we can match any team on our day.” “We relish these games and we’re looking forward to all being together for the coach journey up on Friday and the overnight stay. Some of our boys will have played at big grounds like the Stadium of Light before, but for some of the younger lads it’ll be a new experience and it’s one to be excited about and hold no fear. “We’re going to go out there with every ambition to get something out of the game and I believe that my players can do it.” “I’ve heard that ticket sales are going really well and we’ll have a fantastic following of away fans up there. It’s a long way to travel, but what a stadium to arrive at and watch your team play in. I know they’ll get right behind us, give us their full support throughout and hopefully we can give them something to cheer and make their journey home a happy one”. Prutton predicts: 2-1 Team Line ups Sunderland: McLaughlin, Matthews, Flanagan, Baldwin, James, Honeyman (c), McGeouch, Gooch, McGeady, Maguire, Maja Subs: Ruiter, Loovens, Oviedo, O’Nien, Power, Sinclair, Diamond Injured: Watmore, Wyke, Hume, Robson, Cattermole, Love International Duty: Mumba, Kimpioka Wycombe Wanderers: Ingram, El-Abd, Jombati, Bean, McCarthy, Gape, Thomson, Cowan Hall, Samuel, Onyedinma Substitutes: Stewart, Freeman, Kashket, Williams, Mackail-Smith Injured: Akinfenwa, Allsop, Ma-Kalambay, Harriman, Charles, Saunders Betting Odds: H 4/6 A 4/1 D 14/5 My two pence: The only real decision is whether to bring Power back and maybe drop McGeough or Maguire but why change a winning team? With eight wins on the bounce let’s keep that record going. My guess is a 3-0 home win to go top of the league Ha’way the Lads
Everything is saying a comfy SAFC WIN. But we are Sunderland and we would normally blow this type of chance (to go top o the league). However it’s changed times under Jack Ross, and I cannot see past anything other than a stroll in the park for the lads. I think Power will come into the team, and power us to victory!! (See what I did there?) 4-1 to the lads. Bart
Wycombe are playing well at the moment but so are we. I hope our history of failing in these important games ie going top of the league with a win is a thing of the past and I'd settle for a home win whatever the score. Keep it going lads.
Take nowt for granted but expect to win this one. Think Power will come back in, we look a bit unbalanced without a ‘proper’ defensive CM leaving defence open to pressure, and Power fills that gap for me. Be a bit of a shame for McGeoch as he’s starting to grow into it. Great to start having selection challenges
I'd be amazed if Power replaces McGeouch, 'cos, as has been said, he's improving and becoming 'comfortable' in the role. He must be feeling like an important part of the team now, and dropping him would have a very negative affect when he's being doing well. Max Power will not expect to start, either, understanding that he's got to 'fight' to get back into this winning team, from his self-inflicted absence, and encourage those that start until he gets his turn. He will also feel that he's an important part of this team . . . . initially from the bench
In terms of historically blowing important games, all I could think of was, it was usually an opportunity to get out of the relegation places, move up a couple of places , or get above the mags. So love the positivity of Master-Simpson and Cumbrian talking about the lost chances of being top !!
Peter Ried era was the last one I remember, where Peters team selection cost us dear and him as well eventually.
It’s with immense joy and pride that I say I cannot see any way this is anything other than a comfortable win for the lads and top of the league. Be digging out a jumper mind it’s ****ibg freezing.
I couldn't care less about 'typical Sunderland' blowing the chance to go top against Wycombe. We'll blow them away, win the game easily and go top. 4-0 and party time for us all.
Methinks a draw. Sorry to be neg but I think that we are now the team to beat and its got to be a Wembley type of experience for teams and fans like Wycombe (no disrespect at all). I think the team have to steel themselves for a physical onslaught tomorrow. 5-0 to the lads though iff Im wrong!!!
Spot on this post. I totally agree and hope JR is of the same mind. This game could be an enormous banana-skin so our attitude has to be more concentrated and expect a walk in the park some think it to be. Tho JR is no mug he’ll be on top itt KTF
After seeing some of the criticism of McGeouch I kept a close eye on him at Plymouth. In my opinion he's doing exactly what Ross brought him here to do, I'd be surprised if Gordon Armstrong doesn't start calling him Ron Seal He was always there to take a pass and giving people an option. That's what leads to some of the criticism in my view, he'll always accept the ball under pressure to help a teammate out. He then has to quickly find someone in space which, in this division, isn't always easy. Ross isn't daft enough to 'get stuck in' and try to match these teams, physically, from the start so tries to keep possession and make them chase us. That obviously invites opposition players to come flying in to try to win the ball. McGeouch can handle that, all game, without losing his temper or concentration, learned from playing for 'big fish' teams in Scotland ... Power could learn from him There's no way I'd change a winning team, injuries and suspensions will force that as the season gets into the winter months.
My criticism of him is down to the fact he wasn't getting involved and looks a yard slower than the league. However since Honeyman has been moved into cm and started doing his running for him he looks a better player. I think he and Cattermole are to similar in their lack of explosive movement and need a player like Honeyman or Power alongside to do what they can't. In summary I think he suffered in a "double 6" formation with Catts but he could thrive either just in front of the centre backs or in a 2 alongside a more mobile counterpart.
