Sunderland host Plymouth Argyle at the Stadium of Light in the Skybet League One. Last time out Sunderland beat Wimbledon and Plymouth drew with Crewe Lynden Gooch missed Sunderland’s win against AFC Wimbledon after testing positive for Covid-19. Gooch was a surprise absentee from the teamsheet at Plough Lane, but Johnson explained the circumstances after the match. The Black Cats players were tested on Friday and Gooch was the only one to return a positive test. Argyle will be without midfielder Panutche Camara for the long trip to the Stadium of Light, after he was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the dying moments of the game. Lee Johnson: “We definitely weren’t at our best on the ball today, we weren’t slick, even our footballers looked a bit leggy. I had to put an extra man in the middle just to strengthen us up a little and then use that pace on the counter” “Lynden was a positive test for COVID-19, It's obviously frustrating for us and him as he was completely asymptomatic.” “We're frustrated because he had done so well in the Port Vale game (in the EFL Trophy) and he hasn't had the chance to really build up a head of steam since I came in.” Ryan Lowe: “I thought we were very good overall, throughout the game. Crewe are a good team, let’s have it right. When we scored, we were on top, and we had a few great chances to score again, and the first-half performance was excellent.” “In the second-half, we had to deal with a little bit of pressure, and Crewe dropped their wingers into 10 positions. We knew it was going to be tough, they’re a good team. I felt that we had more than enough chances to win it, but overall it’s another point in the right direction, and we’re building a little run.” “Overall, the lads have worked their socks off, they’ve had a tough week, and we’ve now got to recover them to save their legs for another good game on Tuesday night.” Match Appointments: Referee: ROBERT LEWIS Assistant Referees: Stephen Wade and Kevin Mulraine Fourth Official: David Richardson Team Line ups Sunderland: Burge, Power, Wright, Willis, McFadzean, Winchester, O’Nien, Embleton, Wyke, O’Brien, Diamond. Subs: Matthews, Sanderson, Younger, Leadbitter, Scowen, Maguire, McGeady. Injured: Xhemajli, Kimpioka, Hume, Flanagan, Grigg, Gooch. Plymouth Argyle: (3-5-2): Cooper, Aimson, Opoku, Watts, Edwards, Reeves, Fornah, Mayor, Grant; Hardie, Jephcott. Subs: McCormick, Wootton, Nouble, Telford, Moore, Lewis. Suspended: Camara Injured: tbc Betting Odds: Home 4/6 Away 19/5 Draw 11/4 My two pence: Not a brilliant performance on Saturday but an excellent result and another clean sheet. Oh yeah and Charlie “the goat” Wyke must have played his best ever game for Sunderland. I think there will be a few tweaks to the team selection just to rest a few players or try something different. I’m going for a 2-0 home win. Live stream £10 https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
Another big game and one that I feel we have to win. We’ve dropped far too many points at home. I’d drop Scowen and O’Brien, bring in Winchester for his first start and bring Diamond or Maguire back into the fold.
RTB I continue to be desperate to get out of this league... so I do not care if we play the most dire football ever as long as we win. As for the team...same again? Mcgeady had a poor game, but could bounce back... Wyke will play... does O'Brien start with him again or Diamond. My own personal opinion is i think Diamond and Mcgeady link up canny both pacy dribblers and make runs. We know Wyke is fairly static, but O'Brien more mobile... manager to sort out.. 09 was on the bench some game time for him , Sanderson has looked good!
I feel we previously had problems the game after a good win over the past couple of seasons. We really need to put a good run together now with these winnable games coming up. We have the squad size for it which must be an envy from other clubs.
I'll be watching, bought the bloody season pass by accident on Saturday despite having no money left this month. Can't afford any food but at least I'll be able to watch the games
Great work RTB, and that team would do me , Wyke and AoB are much better than the sum of their parts, and must start again together up front, so many options are appearing and the five subs rule gives LJ room to manoeuvre, there is still a lot to play for, a good run, could give us a top two finish, never mind a play -off place. OaU
Another great thread as usual mate, now we have dropped the arse end scrapings from the bench, and also given the young lads a chance, i can only see us getting better,after his last foray i envisage Wyke to be marked out of the game, so we need other lads to step up to the plate, Just until we find a striker good enough to shine in the Championship with us. I was never impressed with Power until his repositioning at right back, he seems to be getting better,lets hope he can turn into another Bardsley, lets hope so. I will keep my fingers crossed in the hope of getting rid of the same old crap who keep pulling the club down
7-0. Two early goals. We run riot. We get 2 pennas and score both and they get a man sent off. This after the takeover announcement is made. Carlsberg don't do posts but if they did.
Great thread @RTB These matches are coming thick and fast for you now ... ... a day off then back to work, hardly anytime for training PS just a remember that we need Southampton to beat Shrewsbury, in the FA Cup tomorrow, otherwise our match on Saturday will be called off.
Something has to be done with the midfield, so I like your selection RTB. I'm going for a 2-1 win to the lads
I would settle for another crap performance as long as we get the 3 points. Decent performances can come later.
That midfield looks much better than our usual choices. My team would be ............................. Burge............................. Sanderson...... . Wright... Willis........mcfad ................. Winchester...... Onien............. Diamond............. Embelton.......... Mcgeady .................... ......... Wyke........................... Matthews Younger Dobson Maguire Leadbitter Scowen O'Brien