please log in to view this image Venue: DW Stadium Tuesday, 3 January Kick-off: 1945 TEAM NEWS Wigan will be without captain Gary Caldwell as he serves a one-match suspension. Emmerson Boyce is still recovering from a hamstring injury and will have to wait a little longer for his return. Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill will make a late decision on Wes Brown, who limped off with a groin problem in the victory against Manchester City. Fellow defenders Phil Bardsley (thigh) and Titus Bramble (Achilles/calf) are also major doubts for the game. MATCH PREVIEW Barely 48 hours after their stunning victory against Manchester City, there's another opportunity for Sunderland fans to witness the magic of Martin O'Neill's management. In many ways, the reverse fixture against Wigan will be a good yardstick by which to measure Sunderland's progress, as it was the meeting in November which proved to be Steve Bruce's last game In barely a month, the man brought in to revive their flagging fortunes has already done exactly that, and bearing in mind his track record, it will not have come as a surprise to the Stadium Of Light boardroom who appointed him. In the five matches he's been in charge, Sunderland have accumulated as many points as they'd secured in their previous 12 Premier League games; and the side who were balanced precariously over the trapdoor are now much more comfortably placed above it. In many ways, the reverse fixture against Wigan will be a good yardstick by which to measure their progress, as it was the original meeting on 26 November which proved to be Steve Bruce's last game. Franco Di Santo's stoppage-time winner earned the visitors their first win since August, and within four days Bruce's tenure was over. In fairness to Wigan, they have certainly harnessed the momentum that crucial win earned them, and they, like Sunderland, are now in their best form of the season. The Latics have lost just two of their last eight - and those two defeats were against Arsenal and Manchester United. It's been a run that has also seen them hold Liverpool and Chelsea, with Saturday's draw at Stoke again demonstrating that, despite sticking to Roberto Martinez's footballing principles of pass and move, they can still ally that admirable quality with grit and determination. The Latics will now be hoping to earn only their second home win of the season; and Sunderland have never had a top-flight win at Wigan. That said, they've not had Martin O'Neill in charge on their previous visits there. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Wigan have lost only one of their last seven games against Sunderland (W3, D3, L1). The Black Cats have never won a top-flight game away to Wigan (W3, D2). Wigan The Latics have won just one of nine league games at the DW Stadium, recording a 2-0 win against QPR on 27 August. They won just four home league games in 2011 - beating Birmingham, West Ham and Blackburn (twice). Wigan ended 2011 with the same league record they had in 2010 - eight wins, 13 draws and 17 defeats. Sunderland Sunderland have won three of their five matches since Martin O'Neill took charge. The Wearsiders are hoping to record back-to-back away league wins for the first time since May 2010, when they beat Bolton and West Ham. The Black Cats have kept two clean sheets in nine away league games this term.
The big question is have we got eleven fit players??? The lads who played the game on Sunday looked knackered at the end, and that is on top of the injury problems we have... However, if we can repeat the spirit we showed against Man City then we must be in with a chance...
I think Westwood will be fit, we have Meyler who should be OK,Kilgallon will be OK along with Richardson and Ji will be fresh. I expect OShea to be good. My concerns would be Larsson and Catts, both put a shift in and Larsson was not fully fit. Gardner and Colback will be fine ans Sess will have to be.
Think its going to be a very interesting game, think Gardner and Colback are going to be equally as important as in the Man City game for different reasons. They showed enormous discipline to withstand the Man City offence however in this game their concentration will be tested as their natural instincts to push forward may have to be curtailed to an extent as we could get caught on the counter attack especially with pace in the Wigan side such as Moses and Rodellega. If Catts is still feeling the effect of Wigan then its Meyler all day for me, got a lot of time for the lad. If Larsson isnt good to go (earth shattering to my fantasy football team) then Sess on the right and Ji up front with Bendy (when is Connor back?). Gutted about Caldwell, dont rate him at all and always fancy an opposition to get at him as his decision making is very suspect. Fancy a 1-1 2nite, or possibly another late late winner? Surely not................. haway the lads!
I would expect us to win this game the way we have been playing under O'Neill. BUT this is Sunderland, nothing ever goes to plan. Or does it ? I dont know, I'm really confused.
Believe me, despite putting a shift in on Sunday, that win and the way it came will give them new energy tonight. A winning team doesn't feel the aches and pains that a losing one does. Plus, Cattermole is only 23, not 33 and is fitter than a butchers dog. If I was still playing and in that team, under this regime, I'd want to play with a broken leg. Key player tonight for me will be John O'Shea in the heart of defence. We will need all of his experience and renewed form to organise and marshall another makeshift formation at the back. I fancy a win but will be just as happy with a draw.
Weather the early storm (which will undoubtedly arrive as Wigan are depserate for a win), frustrate the crowd, longer the game goes on the more desperate they will get. Same as Man City as in break quickly and in numbers and the chances will come.
I think Larsson echoed your sentiments on Sunday with that Cest - he was ill and in bed all day Saturday and insisted he wanted to play on Sunday... That's the sort of player I want playing for Sunderland!!!
That will be the big differance, on Sunday they played in front of a crowd, tonight they are at Wigan who dont have one.
I hope we can win this game before the 85th minute tonight - tiredness will be a big factor but New Manager Syndrome along with Euphoria of Sunday should hopefully get the lads through!! We need to be able to get out there and score goals - although, in the 3 games we've won under O'Neill, we've probably scored at the best possible time - I'd like to be able to see something before the last minute to give us some comfort!! Lets get the "2 games in a row" hoodoo put to bed once and for all
Think the weather may play a big part in this game, ninety miles per hour winds can have a massive effect on football pitch, so a Sunderland win for me. 2-1.
There's a nice six point gap between us and 18th placed Wigan so all things considered id take a draw tonight. We are down to the bones of our backside so I think a point would be a very good result
before the city i was wondering will the lads take it easy with the city game knowing we were going to lose anyways and have a go at wigan im so happy i know **** all
A win is likely to put us in the top half tonight as only West Brom around us are playing (and they're at Tottenham!) - Would be nice to see us sitting in 10th wouldn't it?! BTW - totally 100% agree with Parker - the 6 point gap between us and 18th is healthy so a draw wouldn't be a bad result tonight
As I understood it, we are playing tonight cos' of Sky TV? But we are not on Sky, according to our SAFC.com fixture list. So why on earth do we have to play tonight, 48 hours after the last game! The pub will probably show the game so I will go there, my broadband streaming is not very good due to a lousy bandwidth. I rarely go to away matches these days especially mid-week ones.
i would take a point as things stand now, it would keep us ticking over and our squad is looking very light. that said, o'neill wasn't satisfied with a point against citeh after everything in that game, so i don't doubt he will be sending the lads out to go for it tonight. a win would be massive.
Agree, 1point is no disaster for us, but Wigan need 3points. Im hoping it goes something like the Blackburn vs Bolton game when Blackburn were desperate for a win. A team looking nervous, crowd on their back, individuals not taking responsibility etc. not to wish bad on another team however if we stay calm and take our chances then who knows.
