Match Day Thread Gillingham v Sunderland - Saturday 31st October - KO 13:00

Sunderland travel to Gillingham for an early kick-off in the Skybet League One.

Last time out Sunderland drew with Rochdale and Gillingham lost to Ipswich.
Sunderland dropped out of the League One play-off positions after only picking up a point at Spotlands.
There are a few new injury concerns with O’Nien, Sanderson and Willis all having treatment this week. The Black Cats will be looking for a win with Gillingham on a poor run of form.
Gillingham sit in 16th position on 10 points, having lost their last four games after starting the season well. Gillingham manager Steve Evans has a number of injury concerns with goalkeeper Jack Bonham and defender Ryan Jackson both going off injured in the midweek game at Ipswich Town. Striker Jacob Mellis is likely to miss the rest of this season with a torn cartilage.
Phil Parkinson:
“Dion Sanderson got a whack on the knee in the second half against Rochdale, and we will assess that before the weekend. Luke O’Nien has a swollen ankle and probably wouldn’t have played even if he wasn’t suspended (on) Tuesday but he was back out there training today, which is good. Jordan Willis has got an on-going problem with his patella tendon, we are trying to manage him through this period, he has had a scan, and I need to have a chat with the club doctor about that today ”
“Aiden (McGeady) at the moment has had to have an injection in his knee anyway, He had a spell of training with the U23s but at the moment he's in the treatment room with a similar problem to Jordan.”
"We know what to expect (from Gillingham), they’ll be similar to last season in the way that they play. Steve Evans has recruited some decent players and they started well before having an indifferent spell.“
Steve Evans:
“I think the referee has played a key part, which he shouldn’t, and my personal opinion was that I thought he was terrible. No doubt he will probably get a Championship game on Saturday.”
“You look at his decisions in the second half and there are four or five blocks that are goal kicks and he gives corners. That is my personal opinion. It was a poor performance.”
"Sunderland are a terrific side. I want the boys to get some sort of reward; they are still full of enthusiasm. It's been a tough run of games."
"I think Sunderland are better this year; we are looking forward to it. "It's a big test but one we will relish."

Prutton predicts: Wycombe home win
Match Appointments:
Referee: SAM PURKISS
Assistant Referees: Damith Bandara and Anthony Da Costa
Fourth Official: Carl Brook

Team Line ups
Sunderland: Burge, Sanderson, Willis, Wright, Flanagan, Hume, Leadbitter, O’Nien, Gooch, Kimpioka, Wyke.

Subs: Matthews, McLaughlin, Neil, Diamond, O’Brien, Embleton, Maguire
Injured: McGeady, Feeney, Xhemajli
Doubtful: O’Nien, Willis, Sanderson

Gillingham: Walsh, Robertson, Maghoma, Tucker, Medley, Graham, McKenzie, Dempsey, MacDonald, Akinde, Samuel.
Subs: Lumley, Willock, Coyle, Eccles, Oliver, Woods, Hodson
Injured: Mellis, Bonham, O'Keefe, Jackson

Betting Odds:
Home 12/5 Away 21/20 Draw 23/10

My two pence:
After an excellent performance (according to Parky) at Rochdale we need a good result here to keep in touch with Hull & Lincoln. I’d like to see a little injection of youth just to spark it up a bit – give Benji a chance.
I’m going for a 1-0 away win.

Live stream £10
https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video

Ha’way the Lads

 

Does that Gills team look about right @brb - who is your reserve keeper?

 

I think he’ll be in the squad for sure wether he gets on is another question.

 

Yeah - that team is pure pie in the sky, let's hope that he shows some "bravery" and gives the youth a chance.

 

cheers RTB.

i would love to see that team out but i just never know what parky is thinking (apart from he normally does not like change) and i get the feeling we will see a 'rinse and repeat', dependant only on injuries/suspensions.

 

Walsh was our reserve I don't know if we got anyone else, suppose we could always stick fat boy in goal

We're thread bare mate, injuries and loans. We were down to six contracted players before the season started again. We haven't won for around 3-4 games. We've so far lost to all teams within the top five, Hull ,Pompey, Ipswich, now your lot. Our best result coming at home against Oxford 3-1, that was luck, Oxford out played us, we just took our chances.

Our front two, whether you choose Oliver and Samuels, or Samuels and Akinde, they don't seem to be able to score, we've signed donkeys. Stick them in defence and bring the defence in as strikers, I aint joking.

Best player is Graham, control him and you control the game, he will be the one putting in the crosses or scoring. Medley is our unknown, he gets stuck at CB but it's ridiculous, he should be out on the wing, but O'gilvie stupidly got himself a red against Fleetwood, so that screwed up Medley's position. Jackson was the one with the long throws, but he's injured, so we are pretty much there for the taking, unless for once our front two actually bother to turn up.

I'll go for a draw but more in desperation, otherwise we are going to get tanked.

 

Past caring with this dinosaur in charge. Get out of our club Donald and all your Cheap Tricks...

 

Oh just realised, forgot to mention Dempsey. Good player, but was injured a little while back.

 

Why does prutton think that wycombe will win, are we playing them and Gillingham

 

Sarcasm, courtesy of RTB, I guess.

Nice thread again RTB. Fancy the managers role?

 

I'm struggling to shake off the feeling that we lost at Rochdale ...

... I'll have to clear my head before I can post a prediction etc.

Just popped on to say, top thread as usual.

 

RTB

I click a home win, thinking we were at home..

Hope its not an omen.

What do I think.. i do not like Jurassic's team selections nor his set up..

Can we win yes, could we lose yes...

Someone was kind enough to say that I can watch the match on Facebook? Rather than pay £10?

 

I clicked a home win because I’ve got a horrible feeling we will, 2 defeats and 2 draws in last 4 games against them and I’m a bit disheartened with the team at the minute. Hope I’m very very wrong though

 

He used to predict a few League One games but he only does Championship now

- I could do with some paid work

 

0-1 - Wyke
I think that if we fail to get a result here Parkinson just needs to walk. No disrespect to him but if they cannot beat the likes of Gillingham then we have no aspirations of ever getting out of this league.

I would prefer to play attacking football where we're on the front foot. That is always the best form of defence.

 

They have lost the last 4 on the bounce, they have a load of injuries including the goalie and have players out of position, see post #6
If we do lose - it's time for Parky's P45

 

Great thread as usual RTB, we really do need a performance on the field to match. Fingers crossed.

 

HA'WAY THE LADS

MACKEMS ATTACKEM

Parky old lad, the chips are down.
Need a convincin win ter get me back on side terday pal.

A win will do but lose this one,,,

Get yer coat son,

And fook off.

 

I'm usually very positive with my predictions but I'm going for a home win. I'm surprised how quickly I've lost faith in Parky, his tactics are dull and it's boring to watch. His promise of giving youth a chance looks like it was all bullshit. Hopefully the takeover is sorted sharpish and a new management team come in.

 

Great thread again mate. I would love it, love it (in best Keagoon voice) if Parky put that team out, but I think there's more chance of butter not melting in Death Valley than that happening.
Gone for a draw cos that will be good enough in Parky's eyes.