Sunderland visit Blackpool in the Carabao (League) Cup Last time out Sunderland beat Wimbledon and Blackpool drew with Bournemouth Sunderland booked their place in round two with a 2-1 win over Port Vale. The Black Cat’s new signings Niall Huggins and Frederik Alves are set to start along with Bailey Wright in defence, while on-loan Everton striker Nathan Broadhead could make his first start for the club. Corry Evans remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Luke O'Nien and goalkeeper Lee Burge will be assessed before a decision is made on their involvement. Burge pulled out of the game against Wimbledon after feeling some discomfort from a hip flexor problem in the warm-up, with Anthony Patterson promoted from the bench to start. Patterson played in the previous round of the cup at Port Vale and will start against Blackpool if Johnson decides not to risk Burge. Luke O'Nien has an ongoing problem with a dislocated shoulder and the injury flared up against Wimbledon, although the club's medical team were able to put the shoulder back in place to enable him to complete the game. He may be left out for the cup game to allow extra time for the injury to settle down ahead of this weekend's league game against his old club Wycombe Wanderers on Wearside. Blackpool are yet to win a match in the Championship this season, with two losses and two draws, but the Seasiders dominated Middlesbrough in the first round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 win. Blackpool are also expected to make changes to the side that came back from 2 nil down to draw at Bournemouth on Saturday. Lee Johnson: "Bailey will start as well as Frederik and it will be nice to see how that partnership works." "Niall (Huggins) can play both sides and he can also play in central midfield. You're going to need that.” "He's a real whippet, fast and very progressive in his thinking in terms of carrying the ball.” "Touch-wood, Luke O'Nien [who has an ongoing shoulder problem] is OK but there again, you have more cover now we have these lads who can move and fill different spots.” "I've been really impressed with the intelligence and agility we've played with this season." Neil Critchley: “You obviously fear the worst when you’re 2-0 down against a very good team early in the game and away from home, but I’ve got to say our character, our resilience, our spirit and our ability was outstanding. “We worked our way back into the game and we more than matched a good team today. We tried to take the game to them, and we got our rewards for it.” “They (the supporters) are unbelievable. When you see them over there, in the sunshine, with all their tangerine shirts on and proud of their team, there’s no better feeling for the staff and players,” he said. “They appreciated what the players gave today, and I can assure you that myself, the staff and the players appreciate the support given to us.” “When somebody gets stretchered off, it doesn’t look good. It’s a problem with his Achilles. We’ll just keep our fingers crossed and pray that we get good news because Wardy epitomises what this team is all about. It would take the gloss off this performance and point if we get bad news about Wardy,” Match Appointments: Referee: PETER WRIGHT Assistant Referees: Peter Gooch & Joe Simpson Fourth Official: Billy Smallwood Team Line ups Sunderland: Patterson; Cirkin, Alves, Wright, Huggins; Neil; O’Brien, Pritchard, Hawkes, Broadhead, Diamond. Subs: Carney, Dyce, Younger, Almond, Richardson, Taylor, Kimpioka Injured: Xhemajli, Willis, Evans, Burge, O'Nien, (Hume) Blackpool: Maxwell, Connolly, Ekpiteta, Husband, Garbutt, Dougall, James, Bowler, Anderson, Yates, John-Jules. Subs: Grimshaw, Casey, Lavery, Keogh, Carey, Hamilton. Injured: Ward Betting Odds: Sunderland 11/5 Blackpool 5/4 Draw 23/10 My two pence: A good result on Saturday, not as slick and exciting as the Burton game but at least we kept a clean sheet and got the 3 points. I’m expecting a completely different side for this game with a few debuts and some game time for all of the subs / fringe players I’m going for a 1-0 away win. Live stream: No stream available for this game. Ha’way the Lads
Be nice to win it more important some of these new lads get a good run out. Injury free and a good performance is all I ask.
Looking forward to seeing a few of the fringe players. First away game of the season for me and the bairn. HTL
That's pretty much my take on it too mate. Get the new lads bedded in and valuable game time for those who haven't had 90 minutes. If we win... great. If not and we perform well, then I'll be fine with that. Great thread RTB and I'd go along with your team selection. I'd be giving Neil 70 minutes max though. We need him for next weekend. Given the injuries to Evans and o9, I wouldn't risk playing Winny in there.
RTB I would like to win, not because it wouldn't be nice to win a cup (Man Chitty will win it as usual), but cos these games are a chance to give those players who do not necessarily get a start in the leagu to have a full game. Although, if Mcgeady and Gooch do not get their fingers out we should hang onto Diamond and give him a run out tomorrow night also.
Away win. The fringe players that play will be chomping at the bit and the main reason for my optimism If we get beat, so be it. I dont think we've got much chance of winning this trophy
Cracking match thread @RTB who needs the media when we have these ... ... I'm looking forward to this as an important 'practice match' and a chance for more players to feel involved. I really hope Grigg isn't involved in any way but would like to see some of the young lads starting. Alves looks like he's easily capable of L1 football and I think he'll start in central defence tonight. This is the perfect game, in this competition imo, a good test but no disgrace if we go out. Haway the Lads!!!
Can't wait for this one - nice sunny day for a drive over as well. Looking forward to seeing the recent recruits strut their stuff.
Just had a call from my grandson, who was meeting some schoolmates who have season tickets at Morecambe and he's stuck for a lift so that's me on the terraces watching their game against Preston, local derby have to rely on mobile for match updates, don't let me down lads. Things you do for family.
