Sunderland Vs West Ham Official Sunderland Not606 Match Thread please log in to view this image Stadium Of Light please log in to view this image Sunderland's record in winning only two games so far doesn't look quite so bad when you realise they have also only been beaten four times. But nine draws from 15 games leaves them just a couple of points above the relegation zone, with Gus Poyet acknowledging "it's about winning now". Sunderland have just taken a creditable two points from a run of three games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool but this encounter won't be any less tricky. Andy Carroll might have been getting carried away the other day when he said of West Ham: "I think there's no limit, we can go all the way to the top," but it will be interesting to see if they can remain genuine top-four contenders as the season unfolds. Confidence is sky high at the moment and will have been reinforced by the nature of last week's 3-1 victory over Swansea, in which they came from behind with Carroll scoring his first two goals of the season. Those goals were actually Carroll's first since being on target last March in a 2-1 win over this weekend's opponents at the Stadium of Light. Things are looking up for West Ham and the tally of 27 points from 15 games is their best return in the top division for 31 years. The Hammers have only lost one of the last nine league games and travel to the North East aiming for a fourth win in a row. Sunderland's record in winning only two games so far doesn't look quite so bad when you realise they have also only been beaten four times. But nine draws from 15 games leaves them just a couple of points above the relegation zone, with Gus Poyet acknowledging "it's about winning now". Sunderland have just taken a creditable two points from a run of three games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool but this encounter won't be any less tricky. Match Apointments please log in to view this image Sunderland Team News Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher is expected to start after overcoming the back injury which restricted him to a place on the bench against Liverpool. Sebastian Coates is available after being ineligible to face his parent club but Emanuele Giaccherini and Billy Jones are not yet fit to return. West Ham Team News West Ham will once again be without midfielder Mark Noble, who remains sidelined with an Achilles problem. Leading scorer Diafra Sakho could return to the starting line-up. Possible Lineups please log in to view this image Key Men please log in to view this image Sunderland â Connor Wickham please log in to view this image Connor Wickham has been a hit and miss signing for Sunderland so far but his Black Cats career looks to be on the up after an improvement in form and a newly signed contract extension. Wickham has bagged just the three goals so far this season but he did score against Man City during the recent 4-1 defeat (albeit fortunate). Wickham also looked dangerous against Liverpool last Saturday and was perhaps unfortunate not to receive a penalty at the start of that Anfield clash. Statistically Wickham could improve but he has created six chances for his teammates so far this term, with one assist being registered. What Wickham does possess is a hard working attitude and the engine to match. During this campaign, Wickham has worked hard to provide defensive cover down the left when deployed as a left forward, with Steven Fletcher as the central striker. So far, the Englishman has completed 28 clearances and 15 interceptions for the Black Cats which has helped to solve some of Sunderlandâs early seasons defensive issues. However, Wickham needs to become more precise if he is to find his next level of progression. The frontman has only registered a shooting accuracy of 33% so far this season with his passing a poor 64% too. Practice and concentration could go a long way to improving this. West Ham- Big Lass please log in to view this image Andy Carroll is another English striker currently looked to reinvigorate his career after a big money move with the big attacker now at his third Premier League club. Carroll has been restricted this season because of his injuries and has therefore only managed five appearances so far. However, last week Carroll made an impressive contribution to West Hamâs outstanding 3-1 victory Swansea City. The target man scored twice and grabbed an assist too which lead to his manager stating that Carroll could be âunstoppableâ. So far this campaign, Carroll has done what he does best, despite his limited match time. Carroll has won 53/76 of his headed duels this season and should prove to be a real handful for Poyetâs backline. Carroll has also used his height to create chances for his teammates with six chances and one assist registered in his five appearances â very decent form. However, Carroll must improve his game on the floor with the striker winning none of his eight attempted tackles and completing zero of his two attempted take-ons. Clearly Carroll has his limits, Hammers fans will be hoping his presence doesnât send them back to long ball football after witnessing some great play from their chargers this season. Stats & Facts Head to Head West Ham won 2-1 at the Stadium of Light last season with goals from Mohamed Diame and Andy Carroll. The Hammers have failed to score in four of their last six Premier League games against Sunderland. Sunderland Sunderland are without a win in five matches, although they have drawn four of those games. Gus Poyet's side have already drawn more matches this season (nine) than in the whole of 2013-14 (eight). They have been involved in five goalless draws this season in the Premier League - more than any other side. Sunderland have failed to score in seven of their last 11 Premier League games, and three of their last four. West Ham West Ham are looking for their fourth consecutive league victory - a feat they last achieved in February last season. The Hammers' tally of 27 points is their best return from 15 matches in the top division since 1983-84 (30 points). They have scored in all of their away matches this season, but have only won two of their last six (D2, L2). West Ham have scored 12 headed goals this season, twice as many as any other Premier League side. Eight of Andy Carroll's last 12 Premier League goals have been headers. Previous Meetings please log in to view this image Form please log in to view this image Last Corresponding Fixture please log in to view this image Betting http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/sunderland-v-west-ham/winner Links http://www.safc.com/fans/visiting-fans Streaming http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=293081&part=sports
Poyet's pre-match press conference. http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2014/december/safsee-press-conference-pre-whu
Will Bridcutt finally nail down a place? Who'll be up top? For me id "save" Catts and Johnson for the derby. Bridcut deserves his place and Alvarez needs a start. Id go with the following ------------------Pantilimon--------------------- Vergini-------Oshea--------Brown------Réveillère --------------------Bridcutt---------------------- Alvarez------Larsson------Rodwell------Wickham --------------------Fletcher----------------------
I think Big Sam should be commended. We were quite similar to them last year in our inconsistencies. The difference this season? They went out and got Valancia Sackho and Zarate. They score goals....simples.
Not forgetting A Song, very good summer for Big Sam, much better than ours and it shows, but they are beatable and we need a win. Hope Gus gets it right and we sneak a 2-1 win.
2-1. Carroll opens the scoring. Then on 80 minutes Fletcher gets folded up like a wet paper towel. On comes Jozy. A sliding tap in makes it 1-1. Then in injury time he scores a volley that would make Tony Yeboa blush. Ive seen it!!!
Just look at our last 6 games, and theirs. That's why these latest points and form comparisons don't mean ****!
This will be an emotional day for me..My mate who I went to the games with for years died after this fixture last season, so I hope the lads put on a great show in honour of his memory..
Cheers mate.....We were brought up in the same street from being two years old...I will be having a few pre match beers with his two sons and maybe his daughter as well....It will be very tough for them so I will be strong for them..
Cheer on RAW....happy remembrances of your mate. (How young was the fella?, and how he died?). Hope there's a big happiness for you today. > Not to take any solemnity from the occasion..... ..... 'I'm forever blowing bubbles'. WTF of a football song! (Same me Hammers:.....when I fart in the bath-tub!). Let's hammer the Hammers !!
HAWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!! c'mon lads! lets perform like we have against liverpool and chelsea, keep it tight and then hit them. If we can, then we will win
