Sunderland host Scunthorpe United in League One. Last time out, Sunderland lost at home to Sheff Wed and Scunthorpe lost at home to Doncaster. Sunderland look to build on a promising start to league one. Jack Ross made six changes to his team for the league cup game. Glenn Loovens and Adam Matthews missed the midweek cup clash, but Ross expects both to return to the squad for Sunday’s game. Ethan Robson, who was on the bench against the Owls, could make his first appearance of the season, while the Sunderland boss is hoping Dylan McGeouch could make his Black Cats debut. Scunthorpe have also started well winning away at Coventry and remain unbeaten so far. The Iron have finished in the top six in each of the last two seasons, but they’ll be hoping to go a couple better this season after losing consecutive play-off semi-finals. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson came off with a dead leg during the midweek Carabao Cup clash against Doncaster Rovers, and will be assessed on Saturday before a decision is made on his fitness prior to the Sunderland game. Goalkeeper Matt Gilks (knee) is a long-term absentee and will continue to miss out, while Funso Ojo is also still not quite ready for a return to action. Jack Ross: "There are more good things than bad things from last night’s performance, that’s not shying away from the game. The encouraging thing is the players are taking on board what we are asking them to do." “I think you can see that and people can see that watching the game,” he continued. If we can replicate that performance in league games, and in this stadium, then I think we will give teams a hard time.” Nick Daws: “We’re playing at a big ground against a team with a big following, and it’s a fantastic game to be involved in. I’m sure it was one most of the players and supporters of our club looked at, at the start of the season. It’s nice to go there early on and try to get a result." “I fully expect there to be a huge crowd, and I know our supporters will also travel in numbers and be really supportive of us. It’s something our boys will really look forward to.” Form: Sunderland LDWWLL Scunthorpe LDWLDD Predictions: Paul Lemon 1-1 Match Officials: Referee ANTHONY BACKHOUSE Assistants Simon Clayton and Anthony Moore Fourth Official Geoffrey Liddle Teams: Sunderland: McLaughin, Matthews, Oviedo, Loovens, Baldwin, Power, Mumba, Honeyman, Gooch, Maguire, Maja. Subs: Ruiter, Ozturk, McGeouch, O’Nien, Hume, Robson, Molyneux. Injured: Sinclair, Wyke, McGeady, Flanagan, Love, Watmore. Scunthorpe: Watson, Clarke, Goode, Burgess, Borthwick, Perch, Lund, Humphrys, Thomas, Novac, Colclough. Subs: Horsfield, Morris, McArdle, Flatt, Butroid Betting: Home 20/23 Draw 12/5 Away 10/3 My two pence: A tough game against one of last season's play-off teams and at least 1200 away fans, I reckon this will be a draw 1-1 Maja to score Ha'way the lads
I think this is our toughest game, so far. Scunthorpe usually finish in the play offs and have decent players at this level like James Perch and Borthwick-Jackson. Tough game and we still lack firepower for the time being. 1-1
Does anybody know what our expected gate will be? Im hoping for a good atmosphere. Thats what made me fall in love as a kid at my first game at Roker and im hoping it will have the same affect on my lads.
Jack Ross has urged his players to seize the opportunity in front of them, as Sunderland head into a busy week of Sky Bet League One action. Following Thursday’s Carabao Cup tie, the Lads will be back in third-tier action on Sunday as a match-up with Scunthorpe United marks the first of three games in six days. Trips to Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon follow, but Ross believes the gruelling schedule simply provides a chance to pick up points – and fast. Speaking to safc.com, the Sunderland manager explained why his players should be relishing a busy period of games. “It’s a challenging period for us and we knew when the cup game was rescheduled that everything was going to be a little bit out of kilter,” said Ross. “The players have known what the schedule was going to be for a while now and they’ve prepared for it, and we got game time into some who hadn’t had much previously on Thursday. “That will stand us in good stead because we will need the squad over this coming six-day period, and the three games that are in there. “There is an incentive for the players to go into these three games and win all three, and if they do that then it’s been a really good start for us. “That’s the carrot that’s there for them, and that’s the motivating factor.”
SAFC v Scunthorpe United UK Match Pass - £10 per game Fans in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man can watch eligible matches on a pay-per-view basis via www.safc.comlive > Buy Now SAFC v Scunthorpe United International Match Pass - £5.99 per game Supporters outside the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man can watch matches on a pay-per-view basis via www.safc.comlive > Buy Now
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Blackburn got off to a poor start last season and then lost 1 in 35 games. As the season goes on our strength and quality will start to tell. Another 5 points from the next 3 games would be okay, I'd be comfortable with 4 even.
Think we'll win it but wouldn't be surprised if they get something. Gelling will take time and our start could still be stutterey yet. Long season ahead. Won't see me flapping if we don't win but I sense the cranks will be well wound up if we don't
Same as my thoughts, I think we'll win because we've been bright and should put out a decent side, and I assume Scunthorpe aren't an especially good team, but there will be ups and downs. We've gelled quicker than we have in the past and that's great and credit to Ross for it but it doesn't happen overnight as much as some of our fans expect it to.
Scunny aren't a bad team, I'll be betting on them plenty this season, they'll be targeting a play off place. But we've started bright and playing at home should finally be a good thing.
Take your word for it mate, I haven't got a clue about this league. In the future I will be more interested in it regardless of where we are because it's proper football and I've enjoyed watching the lower league games more than the glamour matches in the prem. We do look good. I think Ross is doing a cracking job and has the entire squad raring to go.
Ross has probably got a few bad games before the cranks start gathering any force. I think you'll have good home form this season so he should be fine. The away supporters are more sensible anyway. Six points from these next 3 games I reckon and around about 8th in the league after the first 5 games would be a solid start.
