please log in to view this image Bench: McGovern (GK), Pinto, Husband, Oliveira, Hoolahan, Raggett, Hernandez.
So, unchanged with Hernandez fit enough for the bench. Surprised Pinto didn't start, is Farke trying to see enough of Reed at RB before deciding on a long-term purchase? No Zimmerman so Raggett makes the bench.
Well done DH. I fancy a 1-1 draw for this one. Whoscored is showing our formation as a 4-3-3 again, our most attacking setup IMO.
Not bad away from home against a side chasing promotion, managing 57% of the possession and 5 shots to their 3 with 2 corners each. Let's hope we can turn that into goals in the second half.
Sunderland now need to win both their remaining games, and hope Bolton lose both, and neither Barnsley or Burton get another win.
Scratch that, they're down: They're six points from safety, with two games to go, but because Burton and Bolton will play each other next weekend, the Black Cats cannot mathematically survive, even if they win both of their remaining games.
God I'm glad I ignored this day today and had a day out in the garden in the sunshine. Not a single shot on target all game. Again. Pathetic from everyone involved. Those poor fans who travelled again. Massive respect to keep putting yourself through that in the hope Farke might change something for a laugh.
It was good to see Maddison's praise of McLean yesterday. We created 11 shots on goal today to Preston's 10, so the tactics for an away match were reasonable, but it's down to the players that none of those were on target. Clearly we need at least one more striker next season, two if Oliveira leaves. We've been depending on Maddison for goals but those have also dried up. He had his share of chances today but he, like the others, failed to get even one on target. Murphy gets his share of goals but our other midfielders do not look much like scoring. McLean might make a difference next season, but goals throughout the team will be the key to how we get on.
