Sunderland travel to Bristol Rovers in the SkyBet League One. Last time out Sunderland drew with Lincoln and Rovers lost to Swindon. Sunderland could have a few players back from injury, Aiden O'Brien being back in light training and Denver Hume could make a return to the squad after playing in the friendly with Gateshead. Tom Flanagan is around three weeks from returning, and while Jordan Jones and Bailey Wright are making progress, it seems likely at this stage that they will be out of action for at least another week. Black Cats defender Connor McLaughlin is on international duty. Bristol Rovers will be looking for a reaction to their defeat against local rivals Swindon Town. Joey Barton was critical of the match officials who ruled out a Rovers goal for a dubious offside decision and publicly criticised the commitment of some of his first team squad. Lee Johnson: "Denver Hume is ticking off the training sessions and it's great for us that he's back," McAllister said. He's looking good, looking strong. He has been out for a while though and he does need games.” "So it's whether he does that through in-house games, which we're trying to arrange for next week, It's just a case of topping up and keeping him injury free because he will be a big bonus for us when he comes back." "Aiden O'Brien is closer than Jordan and Bailey, Those two are probably in the same category. They've both done a good bike session today, they've been doing a lot of pool work and strengthening work, but they're not back on the grass yet." Joey Barton: “I mean I’m less confident than I was before the game. We’ve got nine games to go and 27 points to play for and our current trajectory is a great indication of previous performances.” “On our current trajectory, we’re going to be pushing it very, very close to the wire, but whilst there’s air in my body and life in my soul, I believe that we can get the job done.” “Tonight is a severe kick in the guts, but a champion’s response is about how you get up off the canvas. These lads have got Sunderland on Saturday, Lee Johnson was in the stands tonight for a side who’s chasing promotion.” “In our league you’re either getting hunted or you’re hunting, and at this moment in time we’ve got to dust ourselves down and be ready to meet fire with fire. It can’t just be me talking about it, it can’t just be me and the staff talking about it all the time, the players have got to show it through action.” Match Appointments: Referee: OLLIE YATES Assistant Referees: Louis Marks and Darren Wilding Fourth Official: Lee Swabey Team Line ups Sunderland: Burge; McFadzean, Sanderson, O’Nien, Younger; Power, Scowen, Winchester; O’Brien, McGeady, Wyke. Subs: Matthews, Vokins, Maguire, Diamond, Leadbitter, Gooch, Stewart Injured: Xhemajli, Willis, Wright, Flanagan, Jones. Bristol Rovers: (4-3-3) Day, Leahy, Kilgour, Baldwin, Williams, Upson, McCormick, Grant, Daly, Hanlan, Ayunga. Subs: Westbrooke, Hare, Tutonda, Walker, Martinez, Oztumer, Ward Injured: Barrett, Rodman, Nicholson Betting Odds: Sunderland 3/4 Bristol 7/2 Draw 5/2 My two pence: After the results on Saturday and mid-week a draw wasn’t too bad really, but winning is always better. Hopefully the players have had a good rest and we have a few more coming back from injury. It’s about time that we made Joey Barton suffer and I'm fully expecting us to do that. I’m going for a 2-0 away win. Live stream £10 https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
Hopefully Sam Nicholson is still out for them. He is by far their biggest attacking threat. Also Ehmer wont be playing Barton has sacked him off since taking the captaincy off him
Accrington and Gillingham have done us a few favours this season taking points off the top sides. They could both do us another massive one on Sat
HA'WWWWWWAY THE LADS MACKEMS ATTACKEM Wow, I didn't realise until this morning that Peterborough had lost mid week. I thought all teams had a break I mentioned in an earlier post Peterborough were slipping and it could be us and Hull the last two fighting for top. It's been in our hands for a while but nervous it was just Hull that we could take a promotion place off. Not taking any thing for granted but an ideal scenario Saturday would be that massive win of 6 or 7 goals and a clean sheet I crave. Shut that fooking mouthy bastid bartnone up, And cement our place in the top two.
They have no strengths and we have no weaknesses. This can only go one way. I’m still going for a win. Good thread as usual.
Yeah - I think that must be the worst I've seen since I added that section Very weak - Scoring Very weak - Defending
That's it for me mate, just that. I couldn't care less about Barton or which ex-Sunderland/Mag/Boro player they have who's 'nailed on to score' against us ... ... just go down, impose ourselves and win the game. As soon as that's done get a few off the bench and see the game out. 3-0 to the Lads, Haway!!!
nice thread yet again RTB well done, for my preference i can't see past a good win for the lads, looking forward to when we have a full strength squad back with Jones and Ross in a two pronger stiker attack and Bailey back in defence, leaving mr dependable 09 back in an attacking midfield role
cheers again RTB... i go with my usual here, if we can get a couple of early goals we can sit back a wee bit OR go for the jugular and while i would love the lads to stuff a barton team i would be happy to get a nice two or three nil lead and give some on the bench some minutes...there again, a scrappy 1-0 will do as long as the points keep ticking over.
Great thread as usual RTB, sets the scene nicely, as always, whatever the team, whatever the shape, and ref. permitting, we should win this one. Barton is a horrible character but no fool, and he will use every trick in the book to make this as uncomfortable as he can.. Play as we have of late, tho' , and a clean sheet and 2 or 3 goals beckons. OaU.
I can’t see anything other than a win for us. These two teams are at the opposite end of the spectrum in all aspects of the game. Comfortable win, 2-0 up by half time, rest a few second half for the fight ahead. Great thread yet again RTB HTL
Great thread as always RTB. Got a feeling that Power will play RB with a midfield three of Scowen, Leadbitter and Winchester. LJ can't go into the match with one half fit defender on the bench, so I expect Younger to sit this one out. 1-3 to the lads and throw a Rovers red card in there for good measure
Just had a message to say O'Brien will play subject to a fitness test ... ... I'd be really pleased with that, especially if Jones is out which I'm expecting. McGeady, Wyke and O'Brien would be too much for Bristol.