They seem to be playing well, will be a good test for us, let's see what Liam's methods can do to the home form. A win would be nice.
The key for me is whether we can create enough. Last home game we dominated things and played well but didn't have enough quality at the top end to create very much. Presumably Oscar comes straight back in and that might help but I do wonder where the service will come from.
Need to bring all the feel good factor back to the MKM. A good display and the right result will do wonders for everyone from fans, to players, to the owners. 3-1 City.
In antiquity the area was known as Wearmouth. The name Sunderland was used from the 17th century. The name probably derived from ‘land’ which was ‘sundered’ or separated from the monastery at Monkwearmouth. Sunderland's most prominent landmark is Penshaw Monument – it even appears on Sunderland AFC's crest. It was built in 1844 in honour of the first Earl of Durham, John George Lambton. Penshaw was modelled on the Theseion, the Temple of Theseus in Athens Sunderland born inventor Joseph Swan demonstrated his electric light bulb in Fawcett Street on January 19th 1879. Edison's version was demonstrated in December 1879. George Stephenson is famous for inventing the Locomotion Train, but a few years prior to this had built a railway to transport coal from Hetton to Sunderland. The Sunderland International Airshow is the biggest free airshow in Europe Without a Sunderland invention the TV character Dr. Who would have had to use a different method of transport as it was 1923 when Sunderland Chief Constable F. J. Crawley pioneered phone boxes. Lewis Carrol often stayed with relatives in Whitburn and it was one night whilst they all chatted that Carrol created "Jabberwocky". A Walrus on display in the Sunderland Museum is said to be the inspiration behind Lewis Carrol's poem, "The Walrus and the Carpenter". Newcastle United was formed by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and originally played in red and white stripes. The US Flag – the stars and stripes could be said to be modeled from Sunderland's teams colours. Though in reality the coat of arms of the First US President George Washington, who hailed from Washington (UK) was red and white stripes. When US President Abraham Lincoln was assasinated in 1865 he was watching a play by Sunderland born Tom Taylor – the play was titled "Our American Cousin". James Herriot, the man responsible for an entire generation wanting to become vets, was not Scottish as many people believe; he was born in Sunderland as James Alfred Wight on October 3 1916. The first stained glass produced in England was made at St. Peter's Monastery in 674 AD. When the Wearmouth Bridge was built it was the largest single span bridge (also the largest iron bridge) in the world. The Wearmouth Colliery shaft, opened in 1835, was the deepest mineshaft in the world, reaching a depth of 1700ft. Sunderland was the largest ship building town in the world. The first recorded shipbuilder was Thomas Menville in 1346. Sunderland became the first club to sign someone's manager. In 1949 they made a bid for Carlisle United player-manager Ivor Broadis. Broadis handled negotiations himself, accepted the bid for himself and he was over to Sunderland for a fee of £18,000. Carlisle can't have been too disappointed, as Broadis was replaced as manager by some bloke called Bill Shankly. In 1990, Sunderland lost the play offs, but still got promoted, as Swindon were penalised for illegal payments. Sunderland Parish Church was the first brick built church in England The first patented rope factory in England (Websters) was opened in Sunderland, which means they have more threads than all the hotels in Portugal. If you have ever wondered why all fire exits open outwards, here's why. During a show at the Victoria Hall in Sunderland, children were told that they could get free sweets from the stage. There was a sudden rush down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs was a door. The door opened inwards and there was a massive crush. Over 180 children were killed and legislation was brought into place that doors should open outwards. A monument to this tragedy stands in Mowbray Park The first cholera cases of the epidemic in the country were seen in Sunderland in 1831. The term 'nailing your colours to the mast originates from a Sunderland man. Jack Crawford, a sailor from Sunderland was on Admiral Duncan's ship at the Battle of Campdeown. During the battle, part of the mast was damaged and the Admiral's flag was lowered (considered a sign of surrender). Jack Crawford climbed the mast and nailed the colours back to the mast. He was presented to the King and given a state pension of £30 a year. He died in poverty, of cholera and was buried in a pauper's grave. A memorial to Jack Crawford is located in Mowbray Park.
I could see a draw. I'm hoping that our control of the ball can continue to stem the tide of stupid defeats and goals conceded, but with the players we've got available I'm not confident we'll be able to get into scoring positions enough to comfortably win the game. As a home crowd I think we have a big job to support the team for this one. No point turning up in numbers but then groaning at every pass and piling the pressure on the players.
Tufan and Sinik have to start. Completely understand why they didn't at Watford. But this is a winnable home game. With those 2 in as well as Oscar, it should be a pretty dangerous frontline
If Sinik comes in for Pelkas rather than Tufan taking up that spot, he might just get wider and great some chances in the box.
This is a tough game.Sunderland have been in decent form of late and our home form is suspect at best. My heart hopes for a home win to give us all some much needed x.mas cheer but my head is telling me otherwise...I'll go with the heart and hope the home support can generate a real buzz on the day. UTT.
Ingram Christie Jones Greaves Fleming Seri Doc Longman Tufan Sinik Oscar But I expect more like Baxter Christie Figuereido Jones McLoughlin Greaves Doc Seri Woods Slater Longman
Not sure Sunderland’s form is that special - won three and lost four of the last 8. But their strikers are returning to fitness so that will increase their threat. if Oscar starts then he will need to up his work rate and match what Longman has been offering prior to the WC in that striker role.
I didn't think English football allowed for specially requested fixtures, but I'd be amazed if this wasn't a request of the club to play Sunderland roughly 20 years after we played them to open the stadium? Or is it just a massive coincidence?
Desperately in need of an home win, we just haven’t seen enough, Really hoping we can get one however it’s always going to be difficult when you have so many players missing from the forward line. What will help the players though Is giving them great support and letting them know everyone is behind them, I think it makes a huge difference which will hopefully help get us that long awaited home win.
I’d start Sinik and Tufan. Put Slater next to Seri and drop Woods. I’m sorry but playing Slater on the wing is daft and Woods offers absolutely nothing on or off the ball. He doesn’t break up play and he doesn’t create anything. Ingram Christie Jones McLoughlin Greaves Slater Seri Longman Tufan Sinik Óscar
