Sunderland host Doncaster Rovers in League One Last time out Sunderland lost to Coventry and Doncaster beat Plymouth. Sunderland tasted defeat at the Stadium of Light for the first time in the League this season. After the drama of the nine-goal defeat to Coventry on Saturday, Sunderland are preparing for the visit of fellow promotion candidates Doncaster Rovers on Good Friday. The Doncaster game has been moved to a later kick-off for TV coverage. The Black Cats will be hoping that Lee Cattermole and Chris Maguire can return to the squad after injury. Rovers arrive in good form having won their last four games, and are out to seal the final play-off spot - they currently have a five-point lead on Peterborough, although the Posh have a game in hand. Top-scorer John Marquis missed Saturday’s 2-0 win against Plymouth Argyle, after a concussion injury suffered against Bradford City seven days earlier, but he is expected back in training this week. Jack Ross: "The truth is, I think Coventry are a good team and what they have in forward areas is good. I thought they were clinical with their finishing, but we played our own part in creating the opportunities by the decision making because when you play in a certain way, you have to make the right decisions with the ball in particular.” "The first double substitution, Aiden is miles off being fit, he hasn't trained at all, we probably gambled with more time on the pitch than we should have done but he wanted to give it a go. So him and Kaz coming on was to chase the game” “Benji coming on is obviously the last role of the dice given that he's an 18-year-old who hasn't played a lot." "Having this longest gap we've had for a while allows me to reflect on and assess the ones that are best equipped with what mentally lies ahead. It's another good team we face on Friday and there'll be the pressure again." "We’ve put in a lot of hard work to get to where we are, it’s in our own hands and it can remain in our hands if we stick together and go and win our last five.” Grant McCann: “Momentum is growing and we’re really pleased,” said McCann, who was without John Marquis, Tom Anderson and Ben Whiteman. “We must have had about 26 or 27 shots today and we’re unfortunate that only two of them went in, but I have to say the most pleasing thing for me is that we keep losing players yet people come in and continually step up to the plate.” Prutton predicts: 2-1 Match Appointments: Referee: ANDY WOOLMER Assistants: Matthew McGrath and Mark Dwyer Fourth Official: Anthony Backhouse Team Line ups Sunderland: McLaughlan, O’Nien, Dunne, Flanagan, Oviedo, Leadbitter, Cattermole, Honeyman, Morgan, Wyke, McGeady Subs: Ruiter, Ozturk, Baldwin, Kimpioka, Power, Sterling, Maguire Injured: Love, Watmore, Matthews, James Doncaster Rovers: Marosi, Andrew, Butler, Downing, Blair, Rowe, Kane, Coppinger, Sadlier, Marquis, Wilks. Subs: Hasani, Lewis, Jones, May, Blaney, Smith, Beestin, Crawford Injured: Anderson, Whiteman Betting Odds: Home 4/5 Away 16/5 Draw 5/2 My two pence: I’ve lost count of the times I’ve said this, but we do seem to have played most teams just as they have hit top form. Rovers have just won 4 on the bounce so are hopefully due to have another heavy defeat. We really have to take maximum points from this game. Luton beat them 4-0 so that is the benchmark. My guess is a nervy 2-1 home win Ha’way the Lads
Home win for me....3 - 2....Wyke two and McGeady followed by me having to change my underpants when they score their two.
I suspect it will be back to 4 5 1 after last weeks debacle If that is the case..09 and Ovideo will probably continue.. not sure about CBs one or both could be replaced. I presume if fit, Catts, Power, Leafbitter, Honeyman and Mcgeady will play with Wyke up front.. Lots of attacking subs on the bench (Kimpioka omitted?)
Doncaster have won their last 4. In each of those games they've played a 433/451. As Saturday's game highlighted, we'd be better served to match up against them in midfield.
Doncaster four game winning run was against three teams in the relegation zone and Plymouth so not a true reflection of his good they are. Their fifth game was against Luton and they lost 4-0, perhaps that puts their current form into perpective.
Is Matthews not fit yet? I think it's time to play an actual right back at right back. O9 has done okay, but it's time to play players in their natural positions.
no team will do what coventry did, you have to say they were like Man c going forward they were bold as if they nowt to play for so to speak ware as Donc and Pompey will have to be more cautious, you have to say they will be hurting and it will make them determined in the last 5 games. Any win will do but will we have to play catch up again.
No Grigg, is he injured or surplus to requirements, surely he will be on the bench if fit, or half fit as some say. I go for 2-0 to the lads, but will settle for one more than them whatever the score. TV will be hoping for another nine goal thriller and so would I if we get five, and three points. I should imagine they will be more happy with a draw than us, so its going to be another tough day at the office.
He is due to start training midweek - along with Reece James. “Dylan [McGeouch], we don’t know [if he’ll be fit for Friday],” Ross said. “Reece [James] and Adam [Matthews] I would hope might be able to train by the middle of the week but obviously the game is Friday." “Chris [Maguire] trained Thursday and Friday a little bit, so potentially if he can get through a week’s training he might come back into contention. “Lee [Cattermole] only joined training on Thursday, Aiden [McGeady] has not been training. “Lynden [Gooch} will be touch and go,” he added. “We’re stretched, it’s not a good time of the season to be stretched, but we are. I wouldn’t know until the week unfolds as to who might be available." “It was a bit limited in terms of the changes we could make during the game on Saturday but certainly for Lee, he’s going to get a week’s training in which will help.”
I was assuming that he was injured or needed resting - but yeah he'll either start or be on the bench if fit.
It would be churlish not to say that this programme would not be fun for many, especially if the weather is okay Or is it I am an old curmudgeon (I am ask my family) but a 5.15 PM kick off due to TV is a bloody stupid time for a football match.. so why not try to make it less stupid..its a bank holiday?
Embleton, Molyneux and Robson would be very handy at present, and with a bit of fore thought they should have been available. I think Embleton is injured unfortunately after playing for England recently, but at Xmas I thought these lads would be pushing strongly for first team starts by now. We will probably realise what assets they are when its too late.
