Match Day Thread Crewe Alexandra v Sunderland - Saturday 27th February - KO 15:00

Sunderland travel to the Alexandra Stadium to face Crewe Alexandra in the SkyBet League One.

Last time out Sunderland beat Fleetwood and Crewe beat Accrington Stanley.
Sunderland continued their march for a promotion place with an outstanding 2-0 win against bogey team Fleetwood Town, with goals from Aiden O’Brien and Max Power. The opposition failed to test the solid Sunderland defence and did not register a single shot during the game.
Black Cats striker Charlie Wyke will be looking to add to his 23 goals in all competitions. Ross Stewart retuned to training this week, but will need more time before he is integrated into the team.
Defender Bailey Wright is expected to be out for another two weeks, and this game comes too soon for Tom Flanagan. Dion Sanderson has looked very impressive in the centre of the defence alongside Luke O’Nien and Connor McLaughlin. Josh Scowen could return to the stating line-up, possibly in place of skipper Grant Leadbitter to add a bit more pace and energy to midfield.
Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell says that he is looking forward to the challenge of facing ‘one of the best sides in the division’ this weekend. Crewe welcome Sunderland to the Alexandra Stadium for the first time since March 2005 hoping to build on their 2-0 win against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday evening.
Lee Johnson:
"We all know how volatile football can be, and in particular football management. I'm lucky enough to have this as a passion project. It was a big decision to move away from my family, but hopefully they will join me in the not-so-distant future.”
"At the same time, it was a decision made on belief and potential, the feel, passion, and my willingness to get back in the game and fight and hustle. I had a number of offers, some very nice ones both at home and abroad, but I wanted to pick the right one.”
"If I'm honest, I didn't really want to go into League One, but with Sunderland it was a different kettle of fish, and I just believe that this is the right place for me. I'm very grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me to do my very best for the club."
"We know that we're Sunderland, we know that we're expected to win football matches at this level, and we know that we are expected to win promotion.”
"My job is probably to try and remove all of that intensity, because if you don't the players can tighten up and you then end up with a frustrated performance because the expectations can't be met by what the team is doing at the moment. It comes back to the process, and nailing that.”
"By the time you get to 3pm on a matchday, there has been a lot of work gone on in the week to make sure that the boys are in the optimum state to go on and win that game."
David Artell:
“Sunderland are one of the best sides that we have faced this season, if not the best. They won 1-0 and the scoreline flattered us because they had a lot of the ball and created good chances.”
“We held our hands up on the night and knew that we had been beaten by the better side, but I think that we have improved since then. We know what to expect in this league a bit more now.”
“Sunderland have a big budget and are expected to be up there. I am not moaning, that is just the way it is and we worked hard last year to get games like this. It is just a shame that the fans are not going to be there, because we know how well supported they are.”
“We know the pecking order when it comes to finances and resources, but on Saturday it is 11v11 and we have to give as good as we get against a very good side.”


Match Appointments:
Referee: CHRISTOPHER SARGINSON
Assistant Referees: Ian Smedley and Abbas Khan
Fourth Official: Paul Graham


Team Line ups
Sunderland: Burge; McLaughin, Sanderson, O’Nien; Gooch, Scowen, Power, McFadzean; O’Brien, McGeady; Wyke.

Subs: Matthews, Maguire, Diamond, Leadbitter, Jones, Vokins, Younger.
Injured: Xhemajli, Kimpioka, Hume, Stewart, Willis, Flanagan, Wright.

Crewe Alexandra: (442) Richards, Daniels, Wood, Beckles, Pickering, Lowery, Murphy, Wintle, Kirk, Mandron, Porter.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Powell, Lancashire, Dale, Johnson, Walker, Evans,
Injured: Finney, Offord

Betting Odds:
Home 12/5 Away 21/20 Draw 12/5

My two pence:
We are now putting together a good run with 4 straight wins and are playing with a lot of confidence so even with an ex-Sunderland player (Mikael Mandron) in their team, I think we have enough to more than match the Alex.

I am going for a 2-0 away win as we climb further up the table.
Live stream £10
https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video

Note: we are back to having 1 camera for iFollow (as per all away games).

Ha’way the Lads

 

Nice one mate

 

Cracking thread RTB. Love the team characteristics bit.

The lads will be very confident at the moment. This is a game we will expect to get 3 points in, but Crewe are no pushovers, as they demonstrated when winning at Shrewsbury after we had been beaten by them. Crewe try to play football, and that will suit us.

I know LJ will prepare them properly and I expect a 3-1 win - Wyke (2) and Gooch.

Important that we keep this run going, so confidence will still be sky high when we travel to Pompey, and I think we will. OaU

 

Can't see anything other that another win. Probably the usual couple of changes, maybe winchester for Leadbitter. Jones may get a start as well but I'm confident of a win.

 

Yeah - I found that on another website and highlighted the bit about us not having any significant weaknesses

 

Absolutely brilliant thread, we're blessed on here.

 

Isn’t the keeper a bit of a weakness?
I mean sometimes he is. Great post though.
I think I’ll go for a draw. Crewe have the third best home record in the division.

No. Sod it. We’ll win.

 

Here we go again, it's thick and fast with matches every few days, important we keep Geads fit as he's on fire but he's not the only one.
No prediction from me but it won't be easy but as has been said they like to play football and that should suit us.

 

Thanks again RTB for another great thread, its yet another game we simply have to win, and the team looks in good shape to do just that. OaU.

 

Just gotta keep winning to put pressure on those above us, and we will 1-3.

Bart

 

I'm really not sure what's going to happen in this one, are we going to win 0-4 or 0-5, I can't decide.

Great thread as ever, I like the introduction of team characteristics, useful for ignorant people like me who routinely have no idea whatsoever about the opposition.

 

Great post @RTB I'm going for a away win 1-3 (Wyke, McGeady x2)

 

cheers again RTB... is this going to be the new format or just a one off, like it by the way...keep improving like this and you will be crying out for one game per week so you have time to post

should we keep the run going i will be more than happy to keep avoiding the streams, also been 4 wins since i set my pc to be red and white...coincidences?

'wallace and grommit' time on the wireless for me again and long may it continue.

 

RTB

I have to go for a win as I am desperate to get out of this league. In support of this prediction, we are in form, but then so are they.

With defenders still missing, 09 will probably play in a back 3 with two wingbacks, Mcgeady floating and two up front. O'Brien is looking good anyhow. If that formation is not seen to be working we will probably go 4 3 3 in the second half playing two wingers with Wyke as striker.
Its good to have options.

 

Great analysis that.
Can see Jones coming on in the 2nd half and destroying them.
I also amazed so many see to give goal to Crewe. We are the meanest beggers on any footbsll pitch. Crew 0 - Us 1/2/3/4 take your pick.

KTF

 

Methinks this will be a tight game. The manager has set it up that they are underdogs and have nothing to lose. Thats the signal that they will give it a real go and perhaps alter the normal approach, but if they are vulnerable at counter attacks and defending set pieces, there is the opening. I think our defence will need to look lively
FTM

 

HA'WWWWWWAY THE LADS

MACKEMS ATTACKEM

I compare thee Sunderland team to a fine red wine. The master brewer Lee Johnson has mixed and shaped a fine concoction and it's getting better with time.

Gone are the bargain bucket blue nun days, now more a Harvey Nichols Domain De La Romanée Conte Le Tâche.
Soon we will be soaring like a
Screaming eagle magnum 1992.


Well we're a lot fookin better now anyways and hopefully another win on Saturday.

 

Blue Nun - those were the days

 

Another massive game and one I think we’ll win. Lots of energy required for this one, press them high up the pitch and we’ll score at least a couple.