Match Day Thread Middlesbrough FC v Sunderland AFC – Monday 3rd February 2025 - KO 20:00

1-1 I think. We never seen to show up in smog land.

 

Only time I remember winning down there was our 1st premiership season under Reidy. Think I was about 10. I'm nearly ****ing 40 now.

 

Some smoggies want us to win so it means they can sack Carrick.

they don’t think they’ll get POs again and believe he’s the reason

 

Have a feeling in me water that we end the run and sneak a win. Tho’ a draw would not be sniffed at - but a ein sends a message.
KTF.

 

Draw wouldn’t be a bad result but we’d then need all 6 in the two home games that followed before the trip to Leeds. Soon enough we’re gonna have to take max points from one of the better teams

 

Quite right, like we did with Sheff Utd earlier this month ....

 

That was this month?! January hasn’t half dragged

 

We never show up in smog land? Coincidentally we've never had good teams then either. Different ball game now. Let's win this.

 

I don’t want to go all look at me but does anyone here frequent Costa Teguise and know where the best place is to watch the match on Monday ?

PS look at me typing this in an airport waiting to go on me holiday.

 

Wilson Isidor's view on Sunderland's attacking options



https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/24896862.wilson-isidors-view-sunderlands-attacking-options/

WILSON ISIDOR insists he would relish the added competition if Sunderland were to sign another forward in the final four days of the transfer window.…

“I’ve never had a problem with confidence,” said Isidor, who will be back in action on Monday when Sunderland head to the Riverside for the Tees-Wear derby with Middlesbrough. “The most important thing is that the team is winning, so if tomorrow I have to be on the bench or play with a new player, then that is fine. I just want us to win, that is the most important thing.

“I am really enjoying it here. The coach gives me a lot of confidence. I won’t lie, I don’t think I would be having the same performances or results if it was not him. The group has also helped me a lot, and the coaches have given me a lot of confidence too.”

Since being switched infield after starting the season playing on the flank, Isidor has spent most of his time stationed as a lone centre-forward.

In the last few weeks, however, Le Bris has begun to tinker with his attacking formation, starting Mayenda alongside Isidor in both the New Year’s Day home win over Sheffield United and the recent victory at Derby County.

Mayenda certainly looks more comfortable playing as part of an attacking pair rather than being stationed on the flank, and Isidor’s game also seems to be well suited to forming an attacking duo rather being isolated up front.

Clearly, the final decision is Le Bris’, and there will be games where the need for an additional midfielder outweighs the potential benefit of playing with two strikers. As a general rule, though, Isidor would prefer to have support in attack rather than being asked to lead the line on his own.

“It’s true that sometimes, when I play up front by myself, I can feel a little bit alone,” he explained. “When Eliezer is playing with me, it brings more defenders onto him and creates more space for me to be able to run into.

“I like that. When it is Jobe (Bellingham) or Chris Rigg playing as the nearest player to me, they tend to play more deep. They play deeper, so it can feel like I am playing a little bit alone.

“Sometimes, that is better for the team though, and those players still have the quality to give me the ball. It doesn’t matter too much to me, the most important thing is to win whether we play with one striker or two. I just want to score goals to make the team win.”

 

Belter RTB !!
Horrible games these, never seem to be entertaining, hopefully RLB has been working on our defence and more importantly that deep midfield protection. If we can sort the protection for the defence in that deep lying midfield position we should have a good run in. Keep it tight for the 1st 20 mins and we should have enough for at least a point. I honestly cant call this one, I would take a point now.

 

2-1 to the lads. These lot aren't playing that well, Doak is a good player but he is coming up against one of the best fullback sin the league who will cancel him out, we need to watch out for Forss if he starts upfront, he's criminally underrated imo.

Jobe is due a goal and Mayenda to get a late winner.

 

Cagey draw, similar to last season

 

Hopefully a better performance than last season. Goalkeeper howler rescued us a point

 

I have no doubt we will play better this season now we no longer have the mole of doom bringing us all down...

 

Absolutely correct attitude to have - bring someone else in and i'll just up my game to ensure I play but if not so be it.

Cracking attitude imo and exactly what we need

 

I'll be in Feurteventura for this one. Caleta de Fuste. Hopefully get to watch it. Was in Ayia Napa when we beat them 2-0 at their place during the lowest points season. So, on that logic, I'm going for the same result.

 

Can someone go to the next press conference and smack Nick Barnes with something heavy before the press conference starts please?

 

Please get him in the middle of the park on Monday