Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Queens Park Rangers – Saturday 3rd May 2025 - KO 12:30

1-0 Isidor (77)

 

I'll only like this if he's missed 3 nailed on chances before and gets this one to remind himself that he is a good finisher!

 

This is great to see

 

Fab to see! I love this lad...I really hope beyond hope that he can come back to play for us at the top level of his ability!

 

Ideally I'd like a win here for a little momentum, but in reality it doesn't really matter. This is still our "pre season".

Look at our form in the actual pre season, average at best and we played some pretty poor opposition. When the real games started, we flew out the blocks. Absolutely no reason that can't happen again with the playoffs, regardless of how this last game plays out.

I'm sure RLB will set us up to win (just like last game), but the thing is, he can't force the players to give 100%. I think it's only natural that many if them will be playing "within themselves" to avoid injury and stay fresh for the playoffs, even if it's subconscious. I wouldn't blame them at all tbh, this is one of the most pointless games in our recent history, at the end of the day.

 

Think there’s a genuine argument he’s our best full back when fit

 

I have a real problem with this. Players can't play within themselves...they have to play to the best of their ability all the time. If the Coach thinks they need to come off,ok,but that's his decision,not the player.

 

The lads training in Portugal. To me it feels like the start of a new season watching that and the excitement it brings with it.

 

Whilst I’m not overly confident for reasons already stated, by myself and others, it’s time for the tide to turn.

So it’s a 2-0 from me, but more importantly it’s time to get back on the front foot,

HAWAY!!!!!!

Bart.

PS I’ll be gutted if Le Fee is on the wing again, infact I may self combust if he is.

 

The other option is Watson!

 

He’s applied himself recently to be fair to the lad, wouldn’t be against him starting Saturday gives us natural width and qpr are struggling for full backs

 

I swear seelt gets 2 inches taller every time I see him

 

Thanks for another brilliant thread RTB. Only 3 more to go now before your special ones start next season. . Put these to the sword from the start get a commanding lead by half time and coast in ready to win the play offs. Going for a big home win and let's hope there are still plenty in the ground at full time to give the lads a rousing send off on their way to the play offs. They deserve it whatever happens going forward. Haway the lads.

 

Just came here to send the same video (very late to it), wanted to mention O'Niens 1to1 with Dan which I thought was really top from him - shows why hes invaluable to the squad whatever league we are in and whether hes playing or not. Top guy.

 

Well he played ok the last game, but I’d play Mayenda on the left.

Bart

 

Steady on people will think you are me

 

Like last week where I was massively wrong (again) I hope its 2 teams going out to play entertaining football. I would love a 6-6 but think I will settle instead for a more sensible 9-2 .
Just hope we end on a positive and the fans get 100% behind the team.

Cheers RTB. Hopefully your still busy for another few weeks yet.

 

Following the conclusion of the Lads’ training camp in Portugal, Enzo Le Fée has issued a rallying cry ahead of our upcoming Sky Bet Championship Play-Off campaign, vowing to produce a performance to end the regular season.

The first-team squad has spent the last five days conducting warm weather training as they step up preparations for a shot at promotion to the Premier League.

Sunderland are yet to discover their opponents for the two-legged semi-final which will be determined following the conclusion of Saturday lunchtime’s kick-offs when they Lads take on Queens Park Rangers in their final game.

Reflecting on the camp, Enzo said: “Our trip to Portugal was important for us — it gave us time to reflect, reset, and learn.”

He continued: "Recent results haven’t been good enough, and we know that.

Reflecting on the camp, Enzo said: “Our trip to Portugal was important for us — it gave us time to reflect, reset, and learn.”

He continued: "Recent results haven’t been good enough, and we know that.

"Every player knows their responsibility, but now is the time for us to stand together — players, staff, supporters — everyone.

"We can’t lose sight of the opportunity still in front of us. Massive games are coming quickly, and momentum can shift fast — we have to be ready when it does.



“Our standards are extremely high, and over the past few weeks, we haven’t quite hit those levels — either individually or as a team. But with some huge games just ahead, we’ve got a real chance to put things right.”

Following a recent run of defeats in the league, the season ends at the Stadium of Light where the Lads have been in excellent form this season losing just three games all season on home soil.

But the importance of going out on a high is not lose on the players. "On Saturday against QPR, we want to show a performance that properly reflects who we are,” Enzo added.

“We know we’ve fallen short recently, but we’ll fight for every ball, we’ll battle, and we’ll be fully prepared for the two huge Play-Off games that lie ahead."

 

Thats exactly what i needed to hear after feeling so downbeat the last few weeks

 

I just think it's natural. Not saying they're doing it on purpose but there's probably an element of it in the back of their mind.

The fact is, this game is one of the most pointless they will ever play in their lives. The next game they play will be, for most, the single most important. Very, very hard to just completely ignore that, on a subconscious level I think it's completely understandable they might not go for a "50:50" tackle that they would if it was the playoffs. I wouldn't want them to.