Sunderland host Peterborough United in League One Last time out Sunderland drew at Coventry and Peterborough drew with Blackpool. The Black Cats face their biggest test of the season so far as high flying Posh visit the Stadium of Light. Jack Ross will have to shuffle his pack after 3 injuries at Coventry with Loovens, Hume and Gooch all doubtful. Max Power will no doubt replace the suspended Lee Cattermole who picked up his 5th yellow card of the season. Peterborough’s form has slightly dipped in recent weeks. It’s slightly better than Jack Ross’ side, however, with two wins in their last five. That’s been enough to keep them in the automatic places, although defeat to Portsmouth and Saturday’s draw at home to Blackpool means they have lost top spot, having been the early pace-setters. The Posh are the best team in the division playing away from home, having won all five games, scoring 17 goals. Goals have not been hard to come by for them. Overall they’ve scored 26 in their opening ten games - six more than Sunderland and Portsmouth who are the joint-second highest scorers. Jack Ross: “What I’ve experienced has been nowhere near the level of intensity and scrutiny of this job, Having lived in Glasgow for the last 20 years you see that first-hand with the Old Firm and the attention on them on a daily basis. In the North East and even nationally you have that constant evaluation of what you’re doing.” “I love coaching so to have these facilities available means every single day I come in relishing that, when you marry that to the size of this club and the potential of it, it’s been really enjoyable.” “With the set of circumstances when I took the job in and everything that went on over the summer, I don’t ever envisage ever having a challenge like that again as a manager.” Steve Evans: “We might have to tweak the way we play at home. Teams sit back against us at our place and it’s been more difficult for us to create chances. But I’d be a fool to come up with a wacky game plan just because we are playing at Sunderland." “We have been terrific away from home all season. We’ve played some great football and scored some stunning goals and we will try and play the same way tomorrow. We will be positive and we will be looking to win.” Match Appointments: Referee:DAVID COOTE Assistants:Ian Hussin and Neil Davies Fourth Official:Tony Harrington Team Line ups Sunderland: McLaughlin, Matthews, Baldwin, Ozturk, Flanagan, Oviedo, McGeouch, Power, Honeyman, Maja, Maguire. Substitutes: Ruiter, James, O’Nien, McGeady, Sinclair, Mumba Injured: Watmore, Wyke, Love, Loovens, Hume, Gooch Suspended: Cattermole Peterborough: Chapman, Naismith, Bennett, Tafazolli, Daniel, Maddison, Walker, Woodyard, Dembélé, Godden, Toney Substitutes: O'Hara, Reed, Cooke, Ward, Yorwerth, Cummings, Tyler Injured: Betting Odds: H 1/1 A 5/2 D 13/5 My two pence: After a bit of a battle with Coventry we have three new injury concerns and will have to make additional changes for Cattermole’s suspension. Maybe Ross will bring in Ozturk and play 3 at the back with 2 wing backs. McGeouch looked very tired before coming off so I’d be surprised if he plays the full game. You never know, McGeady might even start. My guess is a 2-2 draw. Live stream: https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2018/september/safsee-peterborough-pass Ha’way the Lads
With all the injuries and suspension to Catts, I’m happy if we get a draw here. 1-1 would do me. Bart
Despite the injuries we've still got a good bench and options for what team to put out. Obviously Ozturk is a potential weak link but you never know he might still turn out alright with games under his belt. It'll be interesting to see how Power and McGeough do together, Catts is much improved and is inexplicably scoring goals but I feel that these two might be a better combination.
I have found that you can rarely second guess Jack Ross team selection wise, but he has shown he knows how to use his squad. However having five or six key players unavailable makes this a real test for him, and whatever team he puts out. I would take a draw now, but a win will be fantastic under the circumstances, those who still think this league is a cake walk should be beginning to question their logic. The crowd involvement is crucial in this one, so here's hoping, onwards and upwards.
Peterborough will be our toughest task yet and its a real bugger we've so many injuries but we need that win. I know its still early days but we're drawing too many for my liking. We need to start keeping clean sheets. Now!
He who dares win right Rog? Or I say faints hearts win f*ck all......just got to go for it with what we have. Still got fire power we didn't use on Saturday so lets take the game to them. We are at home so we will as always have great support. Getting the first goal could be key. Also, it's Peterborough....yes there top of the league but it's not Man City. Going for the win to make us all happy!!
I don't think our injuries should be too much of a problem, if we go four at the back then we don't have to play Ozturk and we'll still have the likes of Mcgeady and Sinclair on the bench. Deffo miss Gooooch but I don't see our injury list as being of the scraping the bottom of the barrel kind at the moment.
As long as we dont get injuries again like we did against the cheating horrible f*cking b*stards known as Coventry I think they are the difference. I expect McGeady to get the winner with a screamer.
This is a great chance for O'Nien and hopefully he gets his head down this week at the AoL and takes it. We desperately need energy in midfield I'd even think about Mumba too. McGeough may well go on to become a player for us, I even think he'd be a better asset at a higher level, but right now he offers nothing and the league is to frantic for him. As for Peterborough, I think 2 players have the majority of their goals and assists this year which indicates they have 2 danger men but also on the other hand keep them 2 quiet and we'll be alright.
Agree - Posh have played 442 in all their games so far - Jack Ross might start with the same formation.
