Sunderland visit Wigan in the Skybet League One. Last time out Sunderland drew with Burton and Wigan won at Wycombe. The Black Cat’s moved up to 6th place with a point against Burton Albion thanks to a last gasp equaliser from Ross Stewart, scoring his 20th league goal of the season. Alex Neil has a number of selection dilemmas, he has highlighted the need to rest some of the younger players (Neil & Doyle), and has concerns about the fitness of some of the new recruits (Defoe & Roberts). Jermain Defoe looked off the pace on Tuesday and may not be risked against Wigan, whilst Thorben Hoffmann could be recalled and Jack Clarke is pushing for a start after an impressive display from the bench. Wigan remain in second place after a 3-1 win away at Wycombe Wanderers. The Latics remain on track to clinch promotion and have gone unbeaten in four having lost only five league fixtures all season. They could not have dreamed of being in a better position than they are right now, especially also having two games in hand on Rotherham above them. Alex Neil: “We've got a lot of younger lads who have played a hell of a lot of football, and when I say that, I mean this year, there's a lot of them who haven't even played 50 games in their career and there's a lot of demands on them in terms of trying to get us out the league. “I managed to rest Dan Neil tonight because I've got options in that position and I can afford to do it, but other areas I can't. So what I'm probably going to end up doing is putting square pegs in round holes, and that's a problem, but it's something that I have to consider, because some weren't looking particularly good towards the end of the game. “Callum is probably number one (in need of a rest), but the simple fact is that he's the the only left-footed centre back that we've got. The kid has played far too much football, and there's been far too much reliance on him. “He will be a very, very good player, but it's difficult for him at the moment because when you're not fully fit and you're not refreshed, it's difficult for you to show your best.” Leam Richardson: “I’m made up with the win,” he said. “The lads worked tirelessly hard again and prepared really well from Friday into this evening. “We’ve got to respect the opposition here who were a Championship team not so long ago. Gareth (Ainsworth) has been here a very long time, he coaches them very well and they’ve still got a lot of Championship players from last year. “It was always going to be challenging for us and we grew into the game. I was disappointed with the goal that we conceded, but you’ve got to respect the opposition and the way that they play. “I thought that in the second half we grew into the game and imposed ourselves within that. We’ve got to meet them head-on and at the right times. They are good at what they do, but what you need to do is respect yourselves and be good at what you do as well. “I felt that we did that in the second half, especially in the outsides of the game and I thought that we penetrated very well, took our goal and controlled large parts. I thought that we thoroughly deserved the win.” Match Appointments: Referee: SAM PURKISS Assistant Referees: Ollie Williams and Declan Ford Fourth Official: Declan Bourne Team Line ups Sunderland: (4-2-3-1) Patterson; Cirkin, Wright, Batth, Hume, Matete, Winchester, Pritchard, Clarke, Stewart, Gooch Subs: Hoffmann, Xhemajli, Embleton, Dajaku, Roberts, Defoe Injured: Burge, Willis, Huggins, McGeady, O’Nien, Broadhead Wigan Athletic: (3-4-3) Amos, Darikwa (Capt), Whatmough, Tilt, McClean, Naylor, Power, Lang, Keane, Massey, Magennis Subs: Jones, Watts, Bennett, Shinnie, Rea, Humphrys, Edwards Injured: Wyke, Aasgaard, Cousins, Smith, Pearce. Betting Odds: Sunderland 9/4 Wigan 11/10 Draw 12/5 My two pence: Tuesday’s game wasn’t great to watch but there was a bit more effort from most of the team, and we certainly had more shots than we did in the last few games. I have a horrible feeling that Max Power will have a blinder of a game and could very well unleash a long range rocket into the top corner. James McClean will also have a point to prove. I’d be more than happy with a draw, but I fear that we are set for another heavy defeat so I’m going for a 3-0 AWAY win Live Stream: (overseas fans) https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
Ha'way Ha'way Ha'way! Agree with that team, Hume and Clarke need to come back in. Looking forward to this one. ITHICS Great stuff RTB
Brilliant thread and an honest assessment at the end RTB. Thank You! We need to keep it tight on Saturday in the hope of picking up a point, and for that reason I would spread Matete, Winchester and Neil in front of the back four with Clarke and Dajaku making a midfield 5 and Stewart up top. This game comes too early imo, as we need the reinforcements back asap, then we can rest and rotate as we should have done all season. Hoffman Hume, Wright, Batth, Cirkin Dajaku, Matete, Winchester, Neil, Clarke Stewart Heart says 0-0, head agrees with RTB that we may get another pasting.
Wigan are better than we are, you just need to look at the league table. Dreading this game tbh. Damage limitation.
4-1 power 2 goals most likely. This club will need it's biggest shake up in it's history in the summer, or we might do a Charlton or Lincoln next season.
Great thread again, top marks to the production team and the attention seeking front man RTB We'll have good support at this game who won't have thrown the towel in and I'm sensing the players are finding the grit they'd recently lost. Balls to the form book, football doesn't always go that way as we've proved. I'm going for a Winchester shot, the Power going off and Gooch MOTM. Ha’way the Lads!!!
RTB Naturally I have put us down for a win...I presume I would get good odds for that result. As for the team the more we can slot mentally and physically fit players into positions where they are best... the more we can perform well and win. Unfortunately after a couple of transfer windows with the current DoF, we have a lop-sided squad with some players needing a rest... but no replacements available... lots of wingers mind...
Honestly as always from me, I think we will get turned over big style. Wigan have adopted a pure never say die attitude with the will to win. The opposite of safc at the moment.
Great thread I’ve voted a loss but deep down we all hoping for some fight from the lads in red and white,heading down there and TBH looking forward come lads do us proud
Going to get absolutely mullered Hoffmann Hume Wright Bathh Xhemajli Doyle Cirkin Winchester Matete Neil Stewart
I havnt placed a bet in over 7 years but my mate sent me the odds for the weekend game. Wigan pretty much evens. Ridiculous price that.
No problem tomorrow. We regularly see that football is a game where inevitably a team on a terrible run of form and results come up against a team near the top and find they can look like world champs just for the one game. Oh hang on, there's a reason why WE see it regularly........ Another great job RTB
