Sunderland visit Charlton in the Skybet League One. Last time out Sunderland beat Wigan and Charlton lost at Sheffield Wednesday. The Black Cats moved up to 5th place with a valuable win at second placed Wigan, but the results in mid-week have seen them return to 6th place as the race for the playoffs gains momentum. Alex Neil rested Callum Doyle and gave a first League One start to Arbenit Xhemajli to partner Bailey right in the back four. The Addicks lost 2-0 at Sheffield Wednesday and are in 16th place, having lost their last five matches on the spin and being eight points above the relegation places. Johnnie Jackson has been without some key players though, and he seems hopeful that they can start winning more now that they have a few coming back. Ex Black Cats Adam Matthews and George Dobson are expected to be in the starting line up, but Matthews went off injured after 30 minutes in the last game. Alex Neil: "We got the gameplan spot on today and the lads carried it out very well." "There have been a lot of challenges since day one, but it's really nice when we come away from home against a good team, win 3-0, keep a clean sheet, and most importantly send the fans home happy. I thought that they were terrific throughout the game, they backed us throughout the match, and it was a nice feeling to reward them with a win, because we hadn't done that since I've been here. "We had a different plan today because we knew that they would want to turn the ball and they are really effective getting down the sides, so we needed to stop crosses coming into the box, which we did in the main. "We knew that we would always be a threat on the counter-attack and in transition, and we were. "I'm really pleased. Everything that we spoke about in the week, the lads carried out to a tee really, and I thought that we thoroughly deserved our win. "Football is a simple game - we complicate it sometimes by talking a lot of cr*p. "The fact is that we need to make sure that we do the simple things well, which we did today - we competed, we won our headers, we picked up second balls, we had moments of quality at the top end of the pitch - and if you do that really well, if you've got quality within your group, which we have, it comes to the fore. "Today is a really good platform for us to have a bit of belief and confidence going into the remaining games. Johnnie Jackson: “It’s great to have Jayden (Stockley) back. Hopefully Conor (Washington) is not too far away, Scott Fraser on the pitch as well today, so we are getting people back. “I have no doubt in my mind that when we do have those guys back and when they’re part of the team we’ve proven that we do win games.” Match Appointments: Referee: ANTHONY BACKHOUSE Assistant Referees: Declan O’Shea and Damith Bandara Fourth Official: Darren Blunden Team Line ups Sunderland: (4-2-3-1) Patterson; Cirkin, Wright, Xhemajli, Winchester, Matete, Evans, Pritchard, Embleton, Stewart, Gooch Subs: Hoffmann, Batth, Hume, Clarke, Dajaku, Neil, Defoe Injured: Burge, Willis, Huggins, McGeady, O’Nien, Broadhead Charlton Athletic: (3-5-2) MacGillivray; Gunter, Lavelle, Famewo; Matthews, Gilbey, Dobson, Morgan, Purrington; Burstow, Lee Subs: Pearce, Jaiyesimi, Stockley, John, Leko, Fraser, Harness Injured: Washington, Forster-Caskey Betting Odds: Sunderland 6/5 Charlton 20/10 Draw 23/10 My two pence: Well – what a result at Wigan, I certainly was not expecting that. I’m off to the Valley on Saturday to cheer on the Lads so I’m hoping for another good result. After the loss at Sheff Wed, a Charlton fan described his team as being the worst in their history. Given that they’ve lost their last five games we need to put in a solid performance and take nothing for granted. I’m going for a 2-0 away win. RIP Michael Waggott Live Stream: (overseas fans) https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
cheers again RTB... reet, what i saw against wigan was a team fighting for each ball, getting in where it might hurt to win it and that made all the difference i think...i hope we see much the same team and fighting performance, mixed with the skill within the squad we can beat anyone in this league. AN is correct though, and i dont know if it might have been a little dig at some managers but sometimes the game is made out to be really complicated with 'buzzwords' and phrases (i have never heard the word 'transition' so many times) when in truth, you win the ball, pass to a team mate, try to get the ball in the net...and that is basically what we were doing.
they have a lot of defeats, so i hope our win wasn't a flash in the pan going for a win here thanks for the thread RTB some interesting thoughts enjoy your journey,
RTB Got to have a win. As I reckon only Gooch can play wingback (although he is not that good at defending) now we have sold Denver Hume. Its a back four same as against Wigan. Clarke to start?
Cheers RTB, the usual high quality thread. Some great points/quotes in there: 1. taking nothing for granted in order to win this one 2. Football is a simple game, play it that way with quality in our side = success 3. AN has managed something our previous incumbent failed to address…"We had a different plan today because we knew that they would want to turn the ball and they are really effective getting down the sides, so we needed to stop crosses coming into the box, which we did in the main...” Confident we can win, but not gonna be an easy game
Take a bow RTB for another top thread. Show the same spirit as last time out and we should win here, but it wont easy. OaU.
Thanks RTB, for a top notch thread again. Terrific, solid performance against Wigan so a benchmark has been set. I’d like to see a similar team sheet so the players can continue to build teamwork and partnerships with each other. Stockley can be a menace. We will have to nullify him better than past games.
I remember when we were linked with him and none of us wanted him. Nailed on to score again on Sat. Just got to hope Roscoe has his shooting boots on too
Our record against this lot is awful, time to change that on Saturday, no excuses any more we need a winning run which started at Wigan. Great thread again RTB, I'm working this weekend so phone app updates for me which makes me even more nervous not knowing how the game is panning out. HTL.
Fantastic again RTB. I think Wigan game will have put the right kind of believe and confidence back into the players. There’ll be no huge win , but think a professional assured controlled performance will take 3 points
Great thread (again) RTB. We are so lucky on this board. Thank you. I actually fancy us to grab a win. I can't see us getting beat. Id be disappointed with a draw. If we do win, the league top six becomes very interesting. Hawaaaayy and.... FTM
Ha'way Ha'way Ha'way, I'm going 2-1 to the lads. Embo and Pritchard with the goals. Safe travels to everyone heading down, enjoy the game.
its great to see the positivity for this one a big hand clap to all supporters, and those off to the match have a safe journey
