Lincoln City v Sunderland – Skybet League One Last time out Sunderland beat MK Dons and Lincoln lost at Blackpool. Aiden McGeady and Marc McNulty have returned to training ahead of Sunderland’s clash with Lincoln City. Sunderland travel to Sincil Bank on Saturday to face a side who, after winning their first four competitive games this season, now have just one in 11. Michael Appleton has taken over from Danny Cowley, the inspirational figure behind their climb up the leagues, who has now joined Huddersfield Town. Jack Ross: “I'm none the wiser (about the take over), I'm not avoiding the question, I have no idea what is going on. It would be weak of me as a manager to use it as an excuse. Anything that involves uncertainty at any club, you would like that stability. The truth is that it doesn't affect me one way or the other." “We don’t want a build-up of fixtures, but we’ve had three call-ups, two of which made up part of our back five on Saturday. We’ve made a balanced decision and done what we think is right.” “We are in a very similar position to the one we were last season. Our challenge now is to improve on it. It gives us a platform to be successful, but we need to make sure that we don’t fall short.” “Aiden and Marc both trained today, and how they react today and tomorrow will determine whether or not they are involved at Lincoln on Saturday.” “I'm sure that Michael (Appleton) will look at this as his first proper home game. We have prepared as consistently as we do." Michael Appleton: “We have a busy month ahead with tough games, so it will be a great opportunity to see how we sit in the division and get a realistic idea.” “It will be challenging but exciting, and the players will be chomping at the bit for Saturday’s game, especially at home because the place will be absolutely rocking at the weekend.” “Sunderland are on a good run and will be in good form, but they should be ready for a good game because the ground will be bouncing with our fans behind us.” “It’s been a while since we’ve gone ahead in a game of football, so I think that could be key. We know that the visitors have drawn a lot of games over recent times, so if we can get that first goal then it would give us a massive confidence boost.” Prutton predicts: Meh Match Appointments: Referee: BRETT HUXTABLE Assistants: Matthew Bristow and Stephen Wade Fourth Official: Declan Bourne Team Line ups Sunderland: J McLaughlin, C McLaughlin, De Bock, Willis, Lynch, Power, Dobson, O’Nien, Gooch, McGeady, McNulty Subs: Burge, Flanagan, Ozturk, Hume, McGeouch, Maguire, Wyke Injured: Watmore, Embleton Lincoln City Vickers, Eardley, Bolger, Shackell, Toffolo, Connolly, Morrell, Anderson, Payne, Carvalho Andrade, Walker Subs: O'Connor, Chapman, Grant, Smith, Lewis, Melbourne, Akinde Injured: Bostwick Betting Odds: Home 9/5 Away 11/8 Draw 23/10 My two pence: We need to push on now and put a bit of a run together. If only we could play like we did in the first half against MK Dons - for the whole game this time. Lincoln started the season well but have been sliding down the table since losing the Cowley brothers, and we should be taking advantage of that. My guess is a 2-1 away win Ha’way the Lads
Good match set-up, as usual thanks. I just want 3 points and to continue to keep in touch with automatic promotion. I reckon we will use the transfer window in January for some ins and outs, whether or not this very ALL GONE QUIET takeover happens. Yes clean sheets are great but its odds on that the oppo will score 1 goal... so we have to aim to score more than 1. The midfield are popping up with goals atm, but we still have not replaced Maja...we need a good striker. For me Griggs can leave unless something miraculous happens between now and end of December, then we can bring in another player.
Great match thread. Is it always like this? Im going for a 0-2 to us, early goal, nervous panic until 73 minutes when Wills head home the 2nd
For some reason I'm feeling quite optimistic about our chances tomorrow. I'd be happy with that team selection. McNulty was a miss last week for me, so hope he is fit. Inclined to agree with 0-2 #hawaythecleansheet
Sunderland's first ever game outside the top division of the English football league was at Lincoln City, to say the 3-1 defeat was a shock puts it mildly, but it would be nice to reverse that score, however I will settle for 0-1 or 1-2 and another three points. So, I assume will JR. Away the lads.
Another beautiful match day thread rtb (don't know how the hell you have the time to do them fantastic mate). Went for 1-4 again ha way me bonny lads get stuck right into them k.t.f
Don’t be too optimistic as me and junior yellow belly have tickets...never a good sign... Fingers crossed for any sort of win
When I look at that squad it looks like we should be scoring 4 or 5 goals a game. I can't remember the last time I relaxed at a game and really enjoyed it. Haway Sunderland, score and then keep attacking ffs, you can do it.
We should be far too strong for Lincoln and should win comfortably. We will concede, because we always do but I fancy 1-3 or 1-4.
Yeah - this is the usual content, it depends on how much info is readily available. If you click on the red "Match Day Thread" box from the main Sunderland page then you can see all the previous match threads.
I think we'll go with the same team as last game, I'm getting the impression that McGeady and McNulty will be on the bench at best. I'd also stick with McGeouch on the basis that he looks like he might be on the verge of playing well if he gets a run in the team, just lacking sharpness. I thought we played some good football against MK Dons, quite a few nice one twos mainly involving O'Nien. More of that and another solid defensive game and we'll win. Statistically the defence last game did significantly better than any other combo under Ross in terms of key areas like interceptions, tackles and aerial battles so it wasn't just in our imagination.
Well now that is what you call a match thread! 1-3 away win 0-3 hopefully but doubt we will keep a clean sheet.