Sunderland visit Doncaster in the Skybet League One. Last time out Sunderland lost at Arsenal and Doncaster beat Gillingham. Sunderland lost 5-1 away to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in mid-week. The Black Cats suffered yet another injury as Nathan Broadhead pulled up with a hamstring problem at the end of the first half. With a crowd of more than 10,000 expected for Rovers' game against Sunderland at the Eco-Power Stadium on December 27th, COVID-19 certification, or a negative lateral flow test (taken within 48 hours of the game and registered on the NHS app) will be required to gain entry to the stadium. Doncaster beat relegation rivals Gillingham 1-0 last weekend and currently sit second from bottom in the League table. Rovers’ Sky Bet League One match at Cambridge United, scheduled for December 30th, has been postponed after the home side informed the EFL that it would be unable to fulfil the fixture due to a number of COVID-19 cases in their squad. Jamie McCallister: "Nathan has been for a scan and we're waiting for the results. He has pulled his hamstring but we don't yet know to what extent. It was disappointing to lose him the other night - it was a big blow." "A lot of teams have had games called off (due to Covid outbreaks), but we seem to be doing OK, we're sticking to the protocols, which is important, and we are in a good place at the moment. "The lads have to take lateral flow tests every morning as soon as they come in, watched by a member of the medical staff, and all the lads passed again today which is all good, so there's no more than that one case." “Leon Dajaku is progressing well and hopefully should be fit for Monday's game at Doncaster. He suffered a contact injury and there was quite a bit of swelling, but he is progressing well and hopefully he will be good to go on Monday. "We picked up one or two bumps and bruises at Arsenal but nothing serious, and Bailey Wright took one on the cheekbone but he'll be alright." Gary McSheffrey: “I’ve been here longer than him (Frank Sinclair) and I’ve come in and said that I’m not taking an approach where I let anyone see any frustration or me battering the boys. No chance. “Frank can’t help but show his emotion. He wants to win. “Frank has not been here and heard all the messages that have been said to the boys before. “He tries to be constructive but he’s probably a little bit firmer than me. That’s just his passion for the game. He’s a good guy. “He claims for all sorts of things. I almost passed him my glasses at one stage because he was claiming for corners and decisions that never were.” Match Appointments: Referee: BOBBY MADLEY Assistant Referees: David Avent and Anthony Moore Fourth Official: Trevor Kettle Team Line ups Sunderland: Hoffmann, Hume, Doyle, Flanagan, Wright, Neil, Winchester, Pritchard, Gooch, Stewart, Dajaku Subs: Patterson, Xhemajli, Younger, Embleton, Evans, O’Brien, Kimpioka. Injured: Willis, Huggins, Cirkin, McGeady, O’Nien, Broadhead. Doncaster: Jones, Knoyle, Anderson, Olowu, Hasani, Smith, Galbraith, Horton, Rowe, Dodoo, Hiwula-Mayifuila Subs: Dahlberg, Barlow, Williams, Cukur, Blythe, Ravenhill, Kuleya, Injured: Tbc Betting Odds: Sunderland 3/5 Doncaster 17/4 Draw 11/4 My two pence: A tough game at the Emirates but it was a lot closer than the score suggests, great support once again, and hopefully I don’t get pinged after my trip to London. Doncaster ended a poor run of defeats last time out at home, but I can see them starting a new run of defeats after that one. I’m going for a 3-1 away win No Live Stream but it is live on Sky Sports HAPPY CHRISTMAS Ha’way the Lads
Thanks for doing these threads - really great. I think the players will be as up for this one as I am after Arsenal.
We should be looking at putting 3 past Donny to help the goal difference. Definately not a game to sit back and protect a 1 gaol lead
Were unbeaten by these in this league and can see us continuing that run. Stewart needs to get back in amongst the goals for his own confidence so hope this is that game for him, HTL. Great thread again RTB, but Bobby Madley as Ref is a worry, mind aren't they all this season.
Great thread as usual @RTB . Can't see anything other than an away win, and a comfortable one at that. 3 nil to the lads, without getting out of second gear.
Great stuff RTB as always. Fancy us strongly in this one. I think we will attack them from the off and get amongst the goals early doors. Live on Sky again so the Lads will be well up for it imo. Shame about Broadhead but I fancy Embo to come in and play that role and maybe Dajaku off the bench later. I also have a sneaky suspicion Cirkin will start. We had this ref first game of the season against Wigan when the Prem hadn't started and I thought he was class that day. Much better that the usual league one ****e. HTL
My accolade of the the Year to RTB ( and his metallic blue cat) for his match postings, they really are a touch of class. RTB A win if course, as for the team, similar to that at Arsenal. If Hume has recovered his confidence.
As long as the stitches have healed ok I think Cirkins general fitness will be better than Hume's at the moment, I think Hume has been out longer. LJ may give them 45mins each which wouldn't be a bad thing either.
If we play the pressing game that we did against Arsenal we should win. Need to be doing that every game not every now and then.
A game on my birthday, can’t wait. Hoping for a big win. No more injuries please!! 3-0 to the lads. Rosco to get firing again
