Last time out Sunderland beat Dundee United and Bradford beat York City. Sunderland travel to Valley Parade in a pre-season friendly, continuing their pre-season build up after a comfortable win at Tannadice beating Jack Ross’s Dundee United 2-0. Alex Neil could switch to a back three and reshuffle his squad to give vital match time to those players who have not featured much in the last few games. Bradford won 4-1 at York City with goals from Kian Scales, Andy Cook, Lee Angol, and loanee signing Kian Harratt. Alex Neil: “I thought that a lot of our play in the first half was very good, the only bit that was lacking was in the final third, but when you are in pre-season, normally that’s the last thing to come. It’s that lack of sharpness, the legs are a bit heavy” “We set up well and passed the ball well, but what we didn’t do enough was cross the ball.We spoke about that at half time – first cross goes into the box and we get a goal, so yeah, that was nice.” “The good thing is that they changed it a lot and brought on a lot of fresh legs, and our lads had to dig in a lot in that last 10 or 15 minutes when their legs were heavy and that’s what it’s about. I’m really happy.” Mark Hughes: “It was a good exercise for us. The conditions were difficult, so I thought that the lads acquitted themselves really well. We did the correct things for the majority of the game and I was pleased with our work throughout the team.” “We were calm and patient in possession and when we quickened it up at the top end of the pitch we looked really strong and threatening. That is encouraging for us moving forward. Those are the things that we have worked on in training and we have got a couple of weeks to really hone that.” “What it shows us is that we have lots of different options. There were a couple of things today. Lee (Angol) on the left-hand side, in particular, I thought did well. He is an option for us. He really affected us there and in the middle, and the pace there with Kian (Harratt) and Jake (Young) can really upset teams. Many combinations of our front players can cause problems for the opposition.” Expected Teams Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Gooch, Alese, Batth, Wright, Winchester, O’Nien, Matete, Embleton, Clarke, Diamond Subs: Carney, Hume, Cirkin, Ballard, Evans, Pritchard, Sohna, Stewart, Neil, Taylor, Kelly, Roberts, Dajaku. Bradford City FC: Lewis, Halliday, Foulds, Staunton, Platt, Smallwood (C), Angol, Scales, Cook, Walker, Osadebe Subs: Richardson, Threlkeld, Cousin-Dawson, Crichlow, Songo'o, East, Sutton, Wood, Harratt, Young My two pence: A good comfortable performance against Dundee United where we dominated the play without creating many clear-cut opportunities, but we worked hard to recover the ball and restricted them to a couple of shots. I’m expecting a few changes for this game to get those extra game minutes into the legs and maybe assess a few options, possibly even giving a few youngsters an opportunity. Bradford have had a good pre-season apart from a loss to Derby last weekend, we seem to be a lot more solid in defence, so I’m going for a 2-0 away win. Live Stream: Supporters who can't attend the match can live stream the game for £7.50. https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
I don't think your team is too far away from what will play. He's mentioned a back 3 so I'd assume Elese, Batth and Wright will play.
Great thread again RTB. Ill go for another 2-0 to the lads and some good game time for them too Hawaaaaay FTM
I know it's just a friendly, but of all the games I'd like us to win this one well. I, with thousands of other Sunderland, had a very unpleasant day out there. We were absolutely awful, the players were arguing with each other, and Poyet, during the game, Bradford ran us ragged and beat us easily. Oh, and I don't like Mark Hughes either
Same as Dundee, minutes for players who need it and no injuries, winning is nice but not the bee all and end all , hope those going see a good game. Thanks again RTB.
That's crazy for 4pm. I'll be absolutely cooked at the cricket otherwise I'd have gone down to this one.
cheers again RTB... more minutes for the lads, more time to try a couple of ideas...a decent performance and as already said 'no injuries' and i will be happy. team has looked ok so far, 'old heads' keeping things right, new lads fitting in well, young lads not letting themselves or the team down.
Going back a bit further,we had a great night there in the Reidy days.....Lee Clark bossed the match, got a couple of goals,think we ran out 4-0? Fab performance. Had a lovely curry before the match on the drag along the top before you get to the ground!
