Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Rotherham United – Wednesday 31st August 2022 - KO 19:45

Last time out Sunderland lost to Norwich and Rotherham beat Birmingham.
Sunderland welcome Rotherham to the Stadium of Light in the Championship.
Alex Neil has left the club and Sunderland have confirmed Tony Mowbray as their new head coach on a two year deal. Jack Diamond has joined Lincoln City on a season long loan and Costa Rican international Jewison Bennette is expected to be included in the squad.
Rotherham remain undefeated, having won two and drawn three of their five Championship games so far this season.
Alex Neil: (after securing promotion)
"Whatever happens next, happens next. I'm not suggesting anything (about leaving) for a minute though. Listen, I want to be at Sunderland. I want to be here, I want to take it forward and there is massive scope for us to do that."
Tony Mowbray:
“I grew up in the North East and I always remember my experiences at Roker Park with great fondness – the emotion, passion and size of Sunderland AFC. This is a huge opportunity to continue the good work that has taken place over the past two years and I hope the supporters can see that this football club is on its way back. It is a journey – I’ve just come from Blackburn Rovers and like here, it was a rebuilding process – but we want to win and we will be aggressive. The players must understand what they are fighting for because they are the standard-bearers for the city and win, lose or draw, we must ensure those who come to watch us see a team that gives everything in every game.”
Paul Warne:
"I thought that we were really good from the start. I can't have many complaints. We caused Birmingham a lot of problems. I don't think many people could leave the stadium and not think that we were deserved winners.
"I am really pleased with the lads. They are just a really good group, and when you're winning games everything is rosy. I am really pleased with the start. Winning at this level is always hard.
"I could wax lyrical about Woody all day. He was a player here when I was the fitness coach. Every year people write him off but that has been happening for six years. It's just lovely to watch. I get emotional when Woody scores because it means a lot to him. I am really proud to have him as our captain.
"Missing the penalty, I have no issue with. Dan will probably take the next penalty because he's a great penalty taker."
Form:

Match Appointments:
Referee: TIM ROBINSON
Assistant Referees: Andrew Fox and Craig Taylor
Fourth Official: Anthony Backhouse

Team Lineups:
Sunderland AFC: (3-5-2) Patterson, Cirkin, O'Nien, Batth, Neil, Evans, Gooch, Pritchard, Clarke, Stewart, Simms.

Subs: Bass, Alese, Wright, Matete, Embleton, Bennette, Roberts
Injured: Huggins, Dajaku, Ballard, Winchester

Rotherham United (3-1-4-2): Johansson, Hall, Wood, Humphreys, Barlaser, Norton-Cuffy, Wiles, Rathbone, Bramall, Ogbene, Washington.
Subs: Harding, High, Eaves, Kelly, Lindsay, Ferguson, Vickers.
Injury concerns: Humphreys, Bramall

Betting Odds:
Sunderland 21/20 Rotherham 13/5 Draw 12/5

Prutton Predicts: 2-1

My two pence:
Well – here we go again just when things were looking good, we get brought right back to the harsh realities of having to find a new head coach. Tony Mowbray has a good record in the Championship and should provide the stability that we need this season.
The team performance against Norwich was an excellent response and we deserved to win really, but failed to put our chances away and they made the most of theirs.
Rotherham have caused us problems in the past and this is not an easy game, but if we can play like we did on Saturday we should be winning this one.
I’m going for a 3-1 home win

Live Stream:
https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video

Ha’way the Lads

 

unless Tony can perform miracles ill go for a draw, and thanks again RTB for you wonderful match threads

 

Great thread once again I’m missing this one as well still away at work but after a great performance on Saturday despite all the turmoil I’m going 2-1 the lads.Hopefully we get behind our team and our new manager(if announced) the king is dead long live the king COME ON

 

As stated these are unbeaten this season so it's time to put an end to that run.
Be surprised if Evans starts, thought he was holding his hamstring at the end of the game, and can be play two games in 5 days.
Think this could be last chance for the two lads up front, Simms needs to play better than he did against Norwich but still hoping for a home win, any score will do.
Top lad RTB.

 

If the players, and crowd, show the same attitude as Saturday we can win this game as we should've against Norwich.

For some reason I'm feeling quite optimistic and expecting us to score at least one goal. I'm across for this one and can't wait ...

.... Pritchard special and a Corry Evans shot that actually goes in!

Ha’way the Lads!!!

 

Yeah. Agree here. Evans struggles to keep the pace when fixtures get heavy.

Some new calls to make for the new man. Should be good atmosphere under the lights. Need to start the game well.

 

RTB

As readers of my posts will know... Mowbray leaves me very underwhelmed.

However he is just starting so let's judge him on results and give him a fair crack of the whip.

We played well Saturday but lost (09 MoM)

We can win this, Simms needs his spark back (perhaps not used to playing so many competitive games so quickly?).

Deadline day...are really going to get 3/4 quality signings in before close of play... I hope so.

 

Top thread as always, would love us to get 3 points after great recent performances but not quite getting over the line. I think we will get the win with the new gaffer in the dugout.

 

Cannot see anything other than a Rotherham win. Reckon the players will also be thinking WTF!!

0-2

Bart

 

What makes you think that the players who are actually involved in football will be thinking the same as you?

 

Home win 2-1

 

Just my hunch, or am I not entitled to have an opinion!!

Im certainly not going to say The Smoggie is an inspiring appointment- and I think at least some of the players may be feeling the same.

Many on here are saying TM is a safe pair of hands, we need at this time. For me, I think he’s a massive risk, and if he doesn’t hit the ground running, the crowd WILL turn very quickly.

Bart

 

Thanks again @RTB your usual brilliant match thread.

We seem to struggle recently with Rotherham, if I recall they were a big, physical team and we struggled to match up?

I have no idea if they have changed their team, but I'm expecting a tough night and will settle for a draw but praying for a win

 

Thanks again RTB for a cracking thread. A bit of a week to say the least. Difficult opponents but fingers crossed for a home win. Everyone get behind the manager and the team that’s all we can ask for and hopefully the players respond as they did on Saturday and we get the breaks we deserved. Keep the faith lads and lasses

 

Super summary in another top thread RTB, thank you once more . These games are coming thick and fast and this is going to be as tough as any. While hoping for our first win at home I also hope that some supporters begin to realise that win, loose or draw against Rotherham, our club at least look to be trying to do things the right way, and need all the support we can give them at this difficult time. OaU.

 

Top thread again RTB.

I think we will win 2 - 0.

Hawaaaaaaaaay!

 

A tough game against an unbeaten side so far who battered us last season and should’ve won the reverse fixture too. Reckon we’ll struggle when it’s time to make subs… draw IMO

 

Great thread as ever RTB, I'm going for a nervous 2-1 win for the lads

 

So now it's from "!the players will be thinking" to YOU THINK "some of the MAY be thinking"

 

cheers again RTB...

too soon methinks, could have done without a midweek game this week...that said, if the lads were going to 'wilt' because of the news i would have expected that to happen against norwich, as it is they put on an excellent performance and really should have had the points sewn up.

'new manager' to impress maybe but too early for any real change in tactics or approach so i expect much of the same as in 'all out from the off' and hopefully this time we put those chances away and score too many for rotherham to outscore us in the last 30 minutes.